Description
This Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab is a festive, creamy dessert featuring a spiced Biscoff biscuit crust and a smooth, rich no-bake cheesecake filling. Topped with fresh berries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs, it’s perfect for holiday celebrations and requires no oven time, making it simple and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Biscuit crust:
- 300g (10 oz) Biscoff biscuits (about 38 pieces) or other plain biscuits/cookies (about 1 1/2 cups crumbs)
- 120g (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder (optional, recommended)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
No-bake cheesecake filling:
- 3 1/2 tsp (13.5 g) unflavoured gelatin powder
- 3 tbsp cold tap water
- 1 1/2 cups thickened or heavy cream (whipping cream), fridge cold
- 750g (24 oz) cream cheese block (3 blocks), well softened at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Whipped cream (Chantilly cream):
- 2 cups thickened or heavy cream (whipping cream), fridge cold
- 3 tbsp caster sugar (superfine sugar) or 6 tbsp sifted icing sugar
Christmas decoration:
- Strawberries, halved or quartered for larger ones
- Blackberries and raspberries
- Cherries
- 6 orange slices, cut into half moons
- Rosemary sprigs
- Icing sugar (confectionary sugar) for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Biscuit Crust: Crush Biscoff biscuits into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and rolling with a rolling pin. In a bowl, combine the biscuit crumbs, melted butter, cinnamon powder, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Form the Crust: Press the biscuit mixture evenly into the base of a lined rectangular slab or cake tin. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to compress firmly. Place in the fridge to chill and set while preparing the filling.
- Bloom the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over cold tap water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to bloom (absorb water and swell).
- Whip the Cream for Filling: Using an electric mixer, whip the cold heavy cream to soft peaks and set aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the caster sugar and continue beating until well combined and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract and optional lemon juice for brightness.
- Melt Gelatin: Once the gelatin has bloomed, gently warm it in the microwave or over a double boiler until fully dissolved. Do not boil. Allow it to cool slightly but not set.
- Combine Gelatin with Cream Cheese Mixture: Slowly pour the dissolved gelatin into the cream cheese mixture while beating continuously to ensure it incorporates evenly without lumps.
- Fold Whipped Cream into Filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese and gelatin mixture, using a spatula to maintain the airy texture without overmixing.
- Assemble the Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the chilled biscuit crust. Smooth the surface with an offset spatula and return to the fridge for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, to set firmly.
- Make Chantilly Cream: Whip the remaining 2 cups of cold heavy cream with caster sugar or sifted icing sugar until soft to medium peaks form.
- Decorate: Once the cheesecake slab is set, spread or pipe the Chantilly cream evenly over the top. Decorate with halved or quartered strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, orange half-moons, and rosemary sprigs. Lightly dust with icing sugar to finish.
- Serve: Carefully remove from the slab tin or base, slice into servings with a sharp knife (wipe knife between cuts for neat slices), and enjoy this festive no-bake cheesecake treat.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling with no lumps.
- If Biscoff biscuits are unavailable, plain digestive biscuits or graham crackers work as alternatives.
- The optional cinnamon in the crust adds warm spice notes but can be omitted if preferred.
- The whipped cream in the filling helps achieve a lighter texture.
- Ensure gelatin is fully dissolved to avoid grainy texture.
- This cheesecake must be chilled sufficiently to set properly since it is no-bake.
- For best results, prepare a day ahead to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Fresh fruit decorations can be customized according to season or preference.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Christmas cheesecake, no-bake cheesecake slab, festive dessert, Biscoff crust, holiday cheesecake, no oven dessert