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Woolworth Cheesecake is a classic recipe that got its name from the Woolworth "Five and Ten" Stores. This no bake cheesecake, that is claimed to have been served at Woolworth's stores, lives on all over the internet! The no bake cheesecake has a mild lemon flavor, a creamy filling and a traditional graham cracker crust. It's a perfect light and delicious dessert for hot summer months. Honestly, it's a perfect cheesecake lover's dessert year-round!
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Classic Woolworth No Bake Cheesecake

Woolworth Cheesecake is a classic recipe that got its name from the Woolworth "Five and Ten" Stores. Sadly, this store closed its final locations in 1997. This no bake cheesecake, that is claimed to have been served at Woolworth's stores, lives on all over the internet! The no bake cheesecake has a mild lemon flavor, a creamy filling and a traditional graham cracker crust. It's a perfect light and delicious dessert for hot summer months. Honestly, it's a perfect cheesecake lover's dessert year-round!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword No Bake Cheesecake, Woolworth Cheesecake
Author Debby - www.AFeastfortheEyes.net

Equipment

  • 8x8 baking dish

Ingredients

  • 1 box lemon gelatin 3 oz.
  • 1 cup water boiling hot
  • 3 cups graham crackers crushed into crumbs (16.5 sheets) divided
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter 1 stick; melted
  • 8 ounces cream cheese 1 block; room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5 tbsp fresh lemon juice bottled lemon juice is okay, but fresh lemons is best
  • 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream chilled

Instructions

  • Boil water and pour in lemon gelatin. Stir until dissolved. Cool until slightly thickened. Ideally, I placed mine into the refrigerator for about an hour.

Make the crust:

  • Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs.
    If you don’t have a food processor, place graham crackers in a zip top bag and crush with mallet or rolling pin.
    Reserve ¼ of the graham cracker crumbs for the top of the cheesecake.
  • Melt butter in microwave or on top of stove and pour over the graham cracker crumbs. Stir to combine.
  • Spray the bottom of a 8x8 baking dish, with baking spray, then press the graham cracker crumb mixture onto the bottom of the pan to form the crust.

For the cheesecake:

  • In chilled mixing bowl, add whipping cream and beat on high until whipped cream is formed and is light and fluffy.
  • In medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice until combined and smooth.
  • Add thickened gelatin and stir to combine.
  • Gently fold in whipped cream mixture.
  • Spread cheesecake filling on top of graham cracker crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle top with remaining graham cracker crumbs.
  • Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. NOTE: If chilled for less than 8 hours, the cheesecake will not be firm.

Notes

Can you substitute other jello flavors? Yes!
Can you use a pre-made graham cracker crust? Of course!