Satisfy your cravings without turning the oven on with this no-bake kefir cheesecake recipe. Sweet, simple and full of gut-healthy probiotic goodness, I’d say this quick dessert is a win-win in my book!

I’m always looking for ways to add more milk kefir into our diets. Amazingly, within just a day kefir grains can transform an ordinary glass of milk into a nutrient dense, probiotic-rich food, even if you use store bought pasteurized milk. While I am more than happy to drink my kefir cold from a mason jar, others like a little more variety in their lives.

My current favorite way to use kefir is to mix it into cheesecake batter to make an easy no-bake dessert. 

Cheesecake + milk kefir = happy microbiome. 

My family loves this probiotic dessert recipe. It’s creamy, lightly sweetened and not overly rich like some cheesecake recipes can be. The cream cheese and whipping cream work together to create a decadent dessert while the lemon juice and zest add a light pop of freshness to the cheesecake. The cheesecake is delicious all on it’s own but I prefer to top a slice of cake with fresh fruit. Often I slice up strawberries, add a sprinkle of sugar and let the juices from the berries seep out, creating a pool of syrup. I then pour this over top of the cheesecake — delectable!

What is Kefir?

Milk kefir is a type of cultured dairy, typically made using raw milk or pasteurized milk (not ultra-pasteurized). Compared to yogurt, kefir is thinner, can have fizzy qualities, tastes a little sour and contains a lot more probiotics and enzymes. Learn how to make milk kefir in this article.

What Can I Do With a Lot of Kefir?

Kefir takes about 24 hours to culture which means you can often have an overwhelming amount of jars full of milk kefir sitting in your fridge if you don’t use it often. Our number one way to use up a lot of kefir is to put it into a smoothie. We also like to make muesli with kefir by soaking the oatmeal overnight. It is delicious and makes for a quick breakfast. Here are a few other ways to use up an abundance of kefir.

• Strain out the whey from kefir and turn it into kefir cheese. The leftover whey can then be used to make kefir soda.
• Replace the buttermilk in recipes with kefir.
• Substitute the milk in pancakes with kefir. Kefir makes very fluffy, crisp pancakes!
• Add kefir into homemade dip recipes.

What Can I Bake Without an Oven?

No-bake dessert recipes are my go-to when it comes to quick and convenient … or those warm summer days when I don’t want to have to heat up the house by turning on the oven. If you’re searching for a no-bake recipe idea try one of these.

• Kefir no-bake cookies
• Chia pudding
• Fruit parfaits
• Raspberry cream pie
• Truffles
• Popsicles
• Sorbet
• Ice cream
• Mousse

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy cheesecake recipe
• Contains probiotics
• Excellent way to use up excess milk kefir
• Quick dessert idea
• No oven needed
• Creamy and delicious

Kefir Dessert Recipe Idea

Easy no-bake desserts are perfect when you’re short on time or don’t want to heat up the oven (especially on those blistering hot summer days). With just a few staple ingredients and a bit of milk kefir, you can serve your guests or your family a scrumptious homemade cheesecake.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

Cheesecake Crust

10 graham cracker sheets
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar

Kefir Cheesecake Filling

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1/2 cup sugar
2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened and cut into small pieces
1/2 cup kefir
Zest of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Fresh fruit such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries, optional

How to Make Cheesecake

Place the graham crackers and sugar in a food processor and blend until they are finely ground. Pour the graham crackers into a bowl and stir in the melted butter. Press into a 9-inch springform pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to create an even layer. Freeze for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is set.

Fit a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Add softened cream cheese, sugar and kefir. Beat until combined. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Beat on low until ingredients are mixed together. Increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes. Set aside mixture in a separate bowl.

Using the whisk attachment on a stand mixer (or a hand mixer), whip heavy whipping cream and cornstarch on medium until it begins to foam. Turn mixer to high and whip until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Pour cheesecake filling into crust, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-6 hours.

To serve, unmold cheesecake. Top with sliced strawberries or your favorite fruit.

Tips for Making No-Bake Cheesecake

How do you remove a no-bake cheesecake from a springform pan?

If the crust sticks to the outside of the pan, wrap a hot towel around the outside edges for a minute or two. Gently remove sides, slide out springform pan bottom and cut cheesecake into slices.

How long should you leave a no-bake cheesecake in the fridge?

For a firm cheesecake, cover with plastic wrap or foil and chill in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours or up to overnight.

Do you spray the bottom of a springform pan for cheesecake?

No. For this particular cheesecake recipe, you do not need to grease the bottom or sides of the springform pan.

More Recipes With Kefir

Cherry Limeade Kefir Soda

Pumpkin Kefir Smoothie

Vanilla Coffee Kefir Frappe

Kefir Eggnog

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