Say Cheeeeeeese-cake!
Make a simple no-bake cheesecake with adult supervision, mixing crust and creamy filling, then decorate and learn measurements, timing, and safe kitchen skills.
Step-by-step guide to make a simple no-bake cheesecake
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Step 2
Gather all the Materials Needed and set them on the counter.
Step 3
Soften the cream cheese on the counter for 20 minutes so it is easy to mix.
Step 4
Put 1 1/2 cups of graham crackers in a sealed bag and crush them with the rolling pin or jar until they are fine crumbs.
Step 5
Ask an adult to melt 6 tablespoons of butter and bring the melted butter back to you.
Step 6
Combine the melted butter and cracker crumbs in a bowl and stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
Step 7
Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan to make an even crust.
Step 8
Chill the crust in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
Step 9
Beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 10
Whip 1 cup of heavy cream with a mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form.
Step 11
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until it is evenly blended.
Step 12
Spoon the filling into the chilled crust and spread it until the top is smooth.
Step 13
Decorate the top with fresh fruit or sprinkles as you like.
Step 14
Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 3 hours or until it is firm.
Step 15
Share a photo of your finished cheesecake and tell the story of how you made it on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find graham crackers or heavy cream?
Substitute 1 1/2 cups crushed digestive biscuits or plain cookies for the graham crackers for the crust, and if you can't get heavy cream use 1 cup chilled store-bought whipped topping or 1 cup mascarpone to fold into the cream cheese in step 10.
My filling is lumpy or the whipped cream won't form stiff peaks—what should I do?
If the cream cheese is lumpy because it wasn't softened, microwave it a few 10-second bursts or beat longer as in step 3, and if the heavy cream won't whip into stiff peaks chill the bowl and cream and use a mixer or whisk as in step 9, while ensuring you gently fold (step 10) so the texture stays smooth.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For preschoolers, let them wash hands (step 1), crush crackers in the sealed bag and decorate the top (step 12); school-age kids can press the crust (step 6), help beat the cream cheese (step 8) with supervision; and teens can safely melt butter with adult help (step 5), whip the cream (step 9), and prepare the whole cheesecake to refrigerate (step 13).
How can we improve or personalize our cheesecake?
Add lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture in step 8, swirl in 2–3 tablespoons of fruit jam or chocolate sauce before spooning the filling in step 11, press chopped nuts into the crust at step 6, or make individual jar servings and decorate each one uniquely before refrigerating in step 13 and sharing a photo on DIY.org.
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Facts about cooking and kitchen safety for kids
❄️ Most no-bake cheesecakes need several hours (often ~4 hours or overnight) in the fridge to firm up properly.
📏 Accurate measuring with cups, spoons, or a kitchen scale helps make your filling creamy instead of too runny or too stiff.
🍰 Cheesecake is one of the world's oldest desserts—versions were made in ancient Greece as early as the 5th century BC.
🧀 Cream cheese became widely sold in the United States after the Philadelphia brand launched in the 1870s.
🍪 Graham cracker crusts are a favorite no-bake base—just crush crackers, mix with butter, and press into a pan.
How do I make a simple no-bake cheesecake with my child?
What materials and ingredients do I need for a kid-friendly no-bake cheesecake?
What ages is this no-bake cheesecake activity suitable for?
What safety tips and benefits should I know when making cheesecake with kids?
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