No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Recipe

by: Nini
June 4, 2024

I looooove (you get how much I love) cheesecake in general. It’s one of those desserts that I can never get enough of—delicious, creamy, and utterly irresistible. And when you combine it with my favorite fruit, orange, you get a dessert that’s not just good, but absolutely amazing. So, let me tell you about this no-bake orange creamsicle cheesecake. It’s easy, dreamy, and brings back all those childhood memories of summer treats that melted in your mouth.

Growing up, summer meant endless orange creamsicles. The tangy, sweet orange flavor with that creamy center was pure magic. Now, as an adult, I’ve found a way to capture that nostalgic taste in a more sophisticated form—this cheesecake. And the best part? It’s no-bake, so you don’t have to worry about turning on the oven during those hot summer days.

Ingredients Breakdown

Ingredients first! because understanding what goes into this cheesecake makes it even more exciting. We’re talking about three delicious layers here: a buttery graham cracker crust, a zesty orange cream cheese layer, a classic cheesecake layer, and a vibrant orange jello top. Sounds heavenly, right?

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Orange Cream Cheese Layer:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup orange juice concentrate
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
3 tablespoons cold water

Classic Cheesecake Layer:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
3 tablespoons cold water

Orange Jello Top Layer:

1 package (3 ounces) orange-flavored gelatin dessert mix
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
Step-by-Step Magic

Preparing the Crust

First things first, we need to get that crust ready. Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the granulated sugar and melted butter. Mix it all up until it looks like wet sand. Then, press this mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Pop it in the fridge to chill while you work on the next layer.

I remember the first time I made a graham cracker crust. It was for a simple cheesecake recipe my grandmother handed down to me. The smell of the melted butter mixed with the graham crackers instantly takes me back to her cozy kitchen, where she’d always have something sweet baking or chilling.

Creating the Orange Cream Cheese Layer

Now comes the fun part—creating that dreamy orange layer. Start by blooming the gelatin. If you’re new to this, it’s just a fancy term for letting the gelatin soak in cold water until it swells up. It’s like waking it up from a long nap.

While the gelatin is blooming, whip your heavy cream to stiff peaks. This part always makes me feel like a professional baker, watching the cream transform into fluffy clouds. Set it aside for now.

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar, orange juice concentrate, and orange zest (if you’re using it). Keep mixing until it’s smooth and creamy. Then, gently fold in the whipped cream.

Next, heat the bloomed gelatin until it’s fully dissolved, and then mix it into the cream cheese mixture. Pour this heavenly orange cream cheese layer over your chilled crust and put it back in the fridge to set. This layer is like biting into a creamsicle—tangy, sweet, and creamy all at once.

Assembling the Classic Cheesecake Layer

For the classic cheesecake layer, repeat the gelatin blooming process. Whip the heavy cream again to stiff peaks. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until it’s smooth.

Mix in the dissolved gelatin and fold in the whipped cream. Spread this layer over the orange cream cheese layer. By now, your cheesecake is looking pretty impressive, right? Pop it back in the fridge to chill.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve peeked into the fridge, impatiently waiting for these layers to set. It’s like waiting for a surprise gift that you know is going to be amazing.

Topping with Orange Jello

Finally, it’s time to add that vibrant orange jello top. Dissolve the orange gelatin mix in boiling water, then stir in the cold water. Let it cool to room temperature before pouring it over the cheesecake layers. This part requires a bit of patience because you don’t want to pour hot gelatin over your cheesecake and ruin all your hard work.

Once it’s cool, gently pour it over the set cheesecake layers and let it chill in the fridge until firm. This is the final touch that makes your cheesecake look and taste like a creamsicle dream.

After everything is set and chilled, it’s time for the grand reveal. Carefully release the cheesecake from the springform pan, slice it up, and prepare to be amazed. Each bite is a perfect combination of creamy cheesecake and tangy orange, with that satisfying graham cracker crunch at the bottom.

Every time I make this cheesecake, it’s a hit. Whether it’s a summer BBQ, a family gathering, or just a treat for myself, this dessert never disappoints. It’s easy to make, but it tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. And the best part? It brings back all those wonderful childhood memories of orange creamsicles on hot summer days.

So, if you’re looking for a dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delicious, give this no-bake orange creamsicle cheesecake a try. It’s a little slice of summer nostalgia that melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more.

#Homemaking #Recipes