This no-bake lemon cheesecake has three distinct layers: a buttery-style digestive biscuit base, a creamy vanilla yoghurt and quark filling, and a bright lemon jelly topping.
The filling has a gentle tang, balanced by vanilla and sweetener, while lemon juice and zest bring a fresh citrus finish. There is no oven involved, making it a useful dessert to prepare the day before serving.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe
- No baking required: The layers firm up in the fridge.
- Easy to prepare ahead: Make it the day before and leave it to chill overnight.
- Refreshing lemon flavour: Lemon jelly, juice and zest finish the dessert.
- A crisp biscuit base: Digestive crumbs add texture beneath the smooth filling.
Recipe Overview
- Active preparation: Approximately 30 minutes
- Additional setting and cooling: Allow time between assembling the layers
- Final chilling: Overnight
- Recommended preparation window: The day before serving
- Servings: 9
- Tin: 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin
Ingredients
For the Biscuit Base
- 10 digestive biscuits
- 50g low-fat spread
- Low-calorie cooking spray, for lightly greasing the tin
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 6 sheets leaf gelatine
- 350g no-added-sugar, fat-free vanilla yoghurt
- 200g fat-free natural Greek-style yoghurt
- 250g plain quark
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 level tablespoons granulated sweetener
- 100ml water, for dissolving the gelatine
For the Lemon Topping
- 1 × 11.5g sachet sugar-free lemon jelly crystals
- 150ml boiling water
- A generous squeeze of lemon juice, to taste
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Ingredient Notes
Digestive Biscuits
Crush the biscuits finely so the base presses together evenly. Biscuit sizes vary between brands; for repeatable results, record the weight of the 10 biscuits you use.
Low-Fat Spread
Choose a spread suitable for melting. Products vary in water content, which can affect how firmly the biscuit base holds together.
Yoghurt and Quark
Use thick yoghurt and plain quark for the filling. Stir any separated liquid back into the yoghurt before measuring it.
Leaf Gelatine
Gelatine sheets vary in size and setting strength. Check the packet guidance before starting: the six-sheet quantity assumes the same type of leaf gelatine intended for this recipe.
Sweetener
Choose a granulated sweetener intended for spoon-for-spoon use in place of sugar. Concentrated products need a different quantity, so follow their packaging.
Lemon Jelly
Use an 11.5g sachet of sugar-free lemon jelly crystals. Other packet sizes or jelly formats may require different quantities and preparation.