The most delicious citrus cheesecake with Greek yoghurt takes only 10 minutes to make, but it tastes like you spent hours. It's tangy, creamy and mouthwateringly good, packed with citrus flavours of lemon, lime and orange. If this doesn't get your taste buds tingling then nothing will!!
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Easy citrus cheesecake
When I say this recipe is easy, I'm not kidding. The basic recipe has only 3 main ingredients, with one or two extra for flavouring. Once you've mastered the basic recipe you will never be at a loss for a dessert again. Just change the flavouring ingredients, and the sky's the limit.
For this citrus version, I've added the juice and zest of a small orange, a lime and a lemon for extra zing.
This is the creamiest, tastiest cheesecake ever - and it doesn't contain any cheese! It's made with a tin of condensed milk mixed with lemon-flavoured Greek yoghurt, layered between crispy Nice biscuits. And the best thing is that it's only 371 calories per slice so you can eat it without feeling guilty.
The citrus fruits cut through the sweetness of the condensed milk, providing a delightfully tart taste which is so refreshing after a heavy meal.
This citrus cheesecake recipe is definitely a keeper. You will probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry. So you will never have to wonder again 'what shall I make for dessert?'
Ingredients for citrus cheesecake
Whenever I read a recipe I like to look at the ingredients to see whether I have everything I need. To make it easy for you - I've listed the ingredients below. You can get the complete list of ingredients and full instructions for making this citrus cheesecake on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Lemon-flavoured Greek Yoghurt - you can use light or full-fat. If you can't get the flavoured Greek yoghurt you can use plain - the flavour from the citrus fruits will compensate. It must be the thick Greek yoghurt though, don't try and use the normal flavoured yoghurt you get in the supermarket - it won't set properly.
- Condensed milk - condensed milk is very sweet, but the tanginess of the lemon and other citrus cuts through it perfectly.
- Nice biscuits - these are the biscuits stamped with the word 'Nice'. They absorb the filling nicely. 'Marie' biscuits, or 'Rich Tea' biscuits would work just as well. Don't try and make this with shortbread or digestive biscuits - they won't absorb the filling very well.
- Juice and zest of 1 orange, 1 lemon and 1 lime - you need about 2 tablespoons of juice from each fruit to mix with the filling and about 1 teaspoon of zest from each for the topping.
How to make citrus cheesecake with Greek Yoghurt
Prepare the filling
- Wash the orange, lemon and lime then grate about 1 teaspoon of zest from each. Make sure you only get the coloured zest as this is where all the flavour is (image 1 above). Try not to get any white pith from under the zest as this is inclined to be bitter. Set this aside to sprinkle on top of the assembled tart.
- Squeeze approximately 2 tablespoons of juice from each fruit.
- Pour the Greek yoghurt and condensed milk into a mixing bowl. Add the citrus juice and mix to combine (image 2 above).
Assemble the tart
- You will need a 6" x 9" (15cm x 24cm) dish.
- Place a layer of biscuits into the base of the dish (image 1 above).
- Cover the biscuits with half of the filling mixture (image 2 above).
- Top with another layer of biscuits. You may have to break some of the biscuits to fit into all the spaces. This is absolutely fine - it won't show in the finished dish (image 3 above).
- Pour the remaining filling mixture over the biscuits.
- Crush the remaining biscuits into fine crumbs (image 4 above). If you used a 200g packet, and the correct sized baking dish, you should have about 4 or 5 biscuits left over. The easiest way to crush the biscuits is to put them in a plastic bag and hit them gently with a rolling pin.
- Use a tablespoon to sprinkle the crumbs over the top of the filling.
- Sprinkle the citrus zest over the top of the biscuit crumbs.
Microwave
- Place the dish in the microwave and cook on maximum power for 4 minutes.
- This brings the condensed to the boil, which will allow the tart to set and hold its shape when you cut it.
- Allow to cool, then place in the fridge until you are ready to serve. This tart is best served cold.
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Your questions answered
Can I freeze citrus cheesecake?
Unfortunately, this recipe does not freeze well. However, it is so quick and easy to prepare you could put this together in the time it would take to defrost!
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this ahead of time, and it will stay fresh for 4 to 5 days. Just cover it with cling film and store it in the refrigerator.
Can I make this no-bake?
Putting the citrus cheesecake in the microwave for a few minutes does make the filling set properly.
However, because the biscuits are layered through the filling (instead of just being crushed as a base), they will absorb moisture from the filling and swell up making the tart quite thick.
Because of this, if you don't microwave the tart, it will still set, but not quite as much, and you will end up with a much softer tart.
What other fruit could I use besides citrus?
You can use any soft fruit in this dish. Replace the lemon-flavoured Greek yoghurt with either plain yoghurt or use your flavour of choice. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Mix in a small tin of Granadilla pulp
- Add a cup full of crushed tinned pineapple pieces. Just be sure to drain well first.
- Replace the citrus with a handful of fresh blueberries before putting it in the microwave.
- Mix in a handful of chopped strawberries and replace the crumb topping with sliced fresh strawberries.
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📋The recipe
Citrus Cheesecake with Greek Yoghurt
(Click the stars to rate this recipe)
Equipment
- Citrus zester
- Citrus juicer
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- 6"x 9" dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups Lemon flavoured Greek Yoghurt
- 13 ounce (364g) Can sweetened condensed milk
- 7 ounce (200g) packet Nice biscuits or equivalent
- 1 small lemon
- 1 small lime
- 1 small orange
Instructions
- Wash the fruit and grate approximately 1 teaspoon of the zest from each one.
- Squeeze 2 tablespoons juice from each fruit
- Combine the yoghurt, condensed milk and fruit juice in a mixing bowl.
- Place a layer of biscuits into a 6" x 9" (15cm x 24cm) microwave -safe baking dish.
- Cover with half of the yoghurt mixture.
- Place another layer of biscuits on top.
- Cover with the remaining yoghurt mixture.
- Crush the remaining biscuits into fine crumbs and use a tablespoon to sprinkle them on top of the tart.
- Sprinkle the fruit zest over the top.
- Place in the microwave and microwave on full power for 4 minutes.
- Allow to cook then place in the fridge to chill before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutrition information has been calculated using an on-line calculator, and is intended for information and guidance purposes only. If the nutrition information is important to you, you should consider calculating it yourself, using your preferred tool.
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Kerry
So easy and delicious!
VJ
Me too! And this one is so refreshing after a heavy meal - it's a great dinner party standby.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
This sounds delicious! I do love lemon cheesecake 😀 Eb x