No-Bake Lemon Berry Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 15 graham cracker sheets)
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 3 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
• ¾ cup powdered sugar plus ¼ cup (if desired), sifted
• ¼ cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 Tbsp. grated lemon zest plus
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract Pinch of salt
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 cups assorted fresh berries (such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries)

Instructions

1. 1Beat the cream cheese and three-quarters of a cup of powdered sugar in a stand mixer on low speed for about a minute until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
2. 2Mix in the remaining quarter cup of powdered sugar if you prefer a sweeter filling. Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat for one to two minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy.
3. 3Blend in the sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt on medium speed for about one minute until fully incorporated. Set the bowl aside.
4. 4Whisk the heavy whipping cream in a separate large bowl by hand until stiff peaks form. Gently fold this whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until no streaks remain.
5. 5Transfer the cream cheese filling into your prepared and chilled graham cracker crust. Smooth the top into an even layer, cover the pan, and refrigerate for at least four hours or up to a full day until firm.
6. 6Remove the sides of the springform pan carefully when you are ready to serve. Transfer the cheesecake to a serving plate and top it generously with the fresh mixed berries.
7. 7To make a chocolate crust variation, substitute two cups of crushed chocolate wafer cookies for the graham cracker crumbs.
8. 8For a cherry swirl version, gently marble a quarter cup of cherry preserves into the cream cheese filling before chilling.
9. 9To finish the cherry version, top the chilled cheesecake with one cup of fresh or jarred pitted Bing cherries instead of the mixed berries.

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