No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my no-bake cheesecake set? ›

If your ingredients are too warm, you'll end up with a soupy mixture that will never set, no matter how long you leave it in the fridge. The second reason your cheesecake won't set can come down to the brand of cream cheese you use.

I'd say it's too much liquid in the cheesecake batter and it didn't set fast enough and the liquid and moisture got into the base. Baking the base would help, but I guess if you need to bake it then there's no point to make a no bake cheesecake. Buiscuits, butter and a bit of cocoa powder for the base.

Gelatin is great for adding firmness, while cornstarch can thicken the mixture without making it too firm. Just make sure to dissolve the gelatin or cornstarch in a little bit of warm water before adding it to the filling.

Cheesecake can split or curdle for a few reasons – often it's down to the temperature of ingredients. When making cheesecakes (particularly no-bake cheesecakes) the soft cream cheese MUST be full fat, but it should also be at room temperature. However, the double cream should still be cold.

After the cheesecake is done, switch off the oven and let it cool down in the oven for an hour or more. Doing this helps the cheesecake to cool down slowly and helps it to set properly.

You can either pour the mixture into a pot at a low temperature or put it in a bowl over warm water. Stir continuously until all the cream cheese lumps are melted, and the mixture is completely smooth. It is also a good method to fix cheesecake batters that are curdled or split.

Yes, you can freeze a no bake cheesecake to help it set. It's better to use the refrigerator and let it set slowly but in a pinch you can help it along by putting it in the freezer for approx. 1 hour. Then let it finish setting in the refrigerator.

Liquid can also come out of a cheesecake if it is overbaked as the proteins in the cream cheese mixture start to tighten too much and squeeze out the water. The cheesecake should still be quite jiggly when it comes out of the oven, even though it will have risen and formed a crust on the surface.

A cheesecake can become grainy due to overbeating the eggs, which incorporates too much air and changes the texture. If the cream cheese is not fully softened before mixing, it can result in a grainy texture. Using room temperature ingredients can help. So, your cheesecake is a weird grainy texture – almost like sand?

Flour or cornstarch is sometimes included in cheesecake recipes to preventing cracks. If you find that you always have problems with cracking and your cheesecake recipe does not call for any flour or cornstarch, it's ok to experiment and add some cornstarch (one to two tablespoons) to the batter when you add the sugar.

How to tell if no bake cheesecake is set? ›

Try this: The cheesecake should be shiny and firm to the touch when set. You can move the cheesecake to the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing, but freezing any longer will make for a frozen cheesecake without the same delightfully creamy texture as the just-refrigerated version.

Avoid Overmixing: Unlike other cakes, where beating air into the batter is key, overmixed cheesecake can rise, fall and then crack from that excess air. Keeping ingredients (cheese, eggs, liquids and flavorings) at room temperature can help.

In the UK the higher fat content of double cream (approximately 48%) means that it is very stable when whipped and this will give the cheesecake a very firm texture. It is possible to use whipping cream as an alternative - the cheesecake will have a slightly softer texture but it should set in the fridge.

The filling needs proper chilling, a minimum of four hours but preferably overnight, to set into sliceable sections. Freezing the cheesecake results in a too-hard-to-enjoy crust and filling.

If you rush it, you risk cutting into a cheesecake that is still liquid in the center. The recipe calls for two and a half to three hours for chilling, but longer is even better. Let it sit overnight in the refrigerator for easier slicing, or make it up to two days ahead if you're orchestrating a big party.

As long as the cheesecake doesn't have any unusual smell or appearance, it should be safe to eat. Just make sure to give it a taste before serving 🍰😋. Just be mindful of potential food safety issues next time!

Cornstarch has thickening power similar to Instant ClearJel. Like flour, it lends a cloudy, semi-transparent look to filling. It can also give filling a starchy taste.