Joslyn's Recipes - No Bake Fruit Smoothie Cheesecake

Dessert I don't have to bake?  I'm in!

Summer is here, and with the central air running, I am not going to turn on that oven!  I love to have a special dessert every once and a while, and I found this recipe to be a great no-bake summer dessert!

No Bake Fruit Smoothie Cheesecake

What you need:

• 1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 tbsp. sugar and 1/2 cup sugar, separated
• 4 packages (8 oz. each) low fat cream cheese
• 12 oz. of frozen mixed berries, thawed and drained
• 1 tub of whipped topping, thawed and divided

To make fruity cheesecake bliss...

I use a 13x9 inch baking pan, lined with foil.  First I mix the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and 2 tablespoons of sugar, then press into the bottom of the pan.  Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.

The filling is easy.  Beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until well blended.  Then smash the drained berries with a fork and stir them into the filling.  Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping.  The filling will start to turn purple - looks tasty!

Spoon the filling onto the refrigerated crust, and then cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.  Cut and serve!

If I want to use fresh berries, I use three cups and increase the sugar to 3/4 cup instead of 1/2.  Either smash the berries after you measure, or mix them into the filling with an electric mixer to help break them up.

Don't forget to store the leftovers in the refrigerator!  Enjoy!

This excerpt taken from Local Real Estate News - Summer 2007 edition, published by Joslyn Panka.  To subscribe to the newsletter, e-mail Joslyn with your name and preferred method of delivery, including address or e-mail, if necessary.