Recipe by Eric Kim from FOOD 52.
“This is my favorite cheesecake to make, because I enjoy that soft voluptuousness from the no-bake.
The acidity of the filling offsets its sweetness and highlights its perfect “just rightness”; meanwhile, the heavy cream softly finishes the sour lime and cream cheese.
Most of all, it’s important to know that you in no way need an electric mixer of any kind (though it certainly makes things easier). I’ve made the filling in a stand mixer, with an electric hand mixer, and by hand.
All methods work (especially if the cream cheese is at room temperature). Only thing is, if you’re doing it by hand, you may want to whip the cream first in a separate bowl before folding into the cream cheese mixture. The idea is that you’re creating volume by adding air, which thickens the cream.”
Crust
18 whole graham crackers, or 2 sleeves (about 279 grams)
8 tbsp (1 stick/113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp granulated sugar
Zest of 4 limes
1 pinch kosher salt
Filling
8 oz (227 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60 grams) lime juice
1 cup (227 grams) heavy cream, very cold
Make the crust: Process the graham crackers into the texture of dry sand. (If you don’t have a food processor, put the crackers in a resealable plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin or heavy-bottomed pan.)
Into this, stir the melted butter, sugar, lime zest, and salt until well combined, like wet sand. Tumble into a round 8-inch springform pan and, with a ramekin, wine glass, or anything with a flat base, press and pack the crumbs into the bottom and all the way up the sides. You should be left with what looks like a large, empty Cookie Shot. Fridge this until ready to fill.
Make the filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer), cream together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lime juice until smooth and fluffy at medium speed, about 3 minutes. Slowly beat in the heavy cream and continue mixing until the batter increases in volume and thickens considerably. It should form relatively stiff peaks, if that means anything to you (or when you tilt the bowl, the batter shouldn’t move much). Pour this filling into the prepared graham cracker crust and smooth off the top.
Refrigerate for 2 hours at least, preferably overnight, before garnishing with optional lime slices and serving.