No-Bake Lamington Cheesecake Bars
A no-bake twist on the iconic Australian lamington cake, featuring a creamy vanilla cheesecake layer coated in chocolate and rolled in shredded coconut. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 30 minutes layers (7 tbsp), melted unsalted butter, (14 oz), softened cream cheese, (3/4 cup) powdered sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 200 g (about 7 oz), crushed digestive biscuits
- 100 g (7 tbsp), melted unsalted butter
- 400 g (14 oz), softened cream cheese
- 100 g (3/4 cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup, cold heavy cream
- 200 g (7 oz), chopped dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 cups, for coating desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Mix 200 g crushed digestive biscuits with 100 g melted unsalted butter until evenly combined. Press firmly into the base of the pan to form a compact crust. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 400 g softened cream cheese with 100 g powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the chilled biscuit crust. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm.
- Step 5: Once set, cut the cheesecake into 16 bars.
- Step 6: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 200 g chopped dark chocolate with 2 tbsp light corn syrup in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Step 7: Dip each cheesecake bar into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off, then immediately roll in 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut to coat completely.
- Step 8: Place the coated bars on a lined tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the chocolate coating before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Lamington Cheesecake Bars take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Lamington Cheesecake Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Lamington Cheesecake Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Lamington Cheesecake Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with No-Bake Lamington Cheesecake Bars?
Australian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.