No - Bake Fresh Berry Cheesecake

Fresh Berry Cheesecake | Copyright Karen Wan

The world needs more easy recipes, and this is one of them. I felt so bloated one day but at the same time I wanted to nibble on something sweet but light. Cheesecakes often is far from anything "light", especially those that add condense milk into the mixture. So on my experimentation, I managed to make a No-Bake Cheesecake, with NO GELATIN (because I do not like the smell), topped with strawberries and blueberries for that fresh flare. It's really simple to make and it's going to wow guests anytime.

Fresh Berry Cheesecake | Copyright Karen Wan

 No Bake : Fresh Berry Cheesecake

 by Karen Wan

Time taken: 30 mins + overnight setting

Yield : 6 to 8 servings

Level : Easy Peasy

INGREDIENTS

Base

• 150 g digestive biscuits
• 70 g unsalted butter (melted)
• pinch of salt

Filling

• 250 g cream cheese
• 200 ml heavy cream
• 80 g caster sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of half a lemon
• Dash of milk (optional)

Topping

• 100 g blueberries
• 250 g strawberries
• 2 tbsp caster sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pulse digestive biscuits in a food processor until fine. Add melted butter and salt and pulse again until they resemble a sticky bread crumb like texture.
2. Empty the base mixture into a 9 x 9 inch tin lined with grease proof paper, and press the base into the tin until compact. Refrigerate.
3. Cream the cream cheese with the caster sugar until smooth. Add in the lemon zest and lemon juice. 
4. In a separate bowl, using a clean whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until it thickens and forms soft peaks.
5. Fold the whipping cream gently into the cream cheese mixture, trying to retain as much air as possible. 
6. For personal preference and lightness, add a dash of milk to loosen the filling slightly.
7. Pour the filling into the crumb base, cover with cling wrap and leave it to set for at least 8 hours or better yet, over night in the refrigerator.
8. An hour before serving, quarter your strawberries (I prefer to leave my blueberries whole) and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of caster sugar. Set it aside and all it's berry juices will start coming out naturally.
9. On serving, cut the cheesecake into squares and top with the fresh berries and berry juices.  

Here's a close up to make your mouth water...

Fresh Berry Cheesecake | Copyright Karen Wan