No-Bake Lemon Bar Cheesecake Parfait

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

Layers of tangy lemon cheesecake filling alternate with buttery graham cracker crumbs and a dollop of whipped cream for a refreshing no-bake dessert. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, layers cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest 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 320 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tbsp melted unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Step 2: In another bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs with 5 tbsp melted unsalted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated and look like wet sand.
3. Step 3: In serving glasses, layer 1/4 cup of the graham cracker crumb mixture at the bottom, then spoon 1/4 cup of the lemon cream cheese mixture on top, followed by a dollop of whipped cream made from 1 cup whipped cream. Repeat layers until glasses are filled.
4. Step 4: Chill the parfaits in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the filling to set before serving.