No-bake berry cheesecake that takes just 15 minutes to put together

Some desserts ask for patience, precision and a hot oven. This one asks for 15 minutes and a bit of room in the fridge. A no-bake cheesecake is the ideal dessert for a weekend lunch or an unexpected visit: it can be made the evening before, and it tastes even better after a night of chilling.

The base is crushed biscuits and butter, the filling is cream cheese lightened with whipped cream, and the topping is a quick warm berry sauce that you can make while the cake sets.

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 200 g digestive or plain wholemeal biscuits
• 90 g butter, melted
• 500 g full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 100 g powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• juice of half a lemon
• 250 ml cold whipping cream
• 300 g mixed berries, fresh or frozen
• 2 tbsp sugar for the topping

Method

Line the base of a 22 cm springform tin with baking paper. Crush the biscuits finely, either in a food processor or in a bag with a rolling pin, and mix with the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the tin using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar, vanilla and lemon juice until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks, then fold it gently into the cream cheese mixture so it stays light.

Spread the filling over the base and smooth the top. Cover and place in the fridge for at least four hours, or overnight.

Berry topping

Put the berries and sugar in a small pan and cook over medium heat for five minutes, until the fruit releases its juices and softens. Let it cool completely before spooning it over the cheesecake just before serving.

Tips

For a cleaner slice, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe it dry between cuts. If you are short on time, spoon the base and filling into glasses instead of a tin: the individual cheesecakes set in about an hour.

Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to three days. The cheesecake can also be frozen without the topping for up to a month.