Lemon Cheesecake

This is a no-bake cheesecake. Which is great in the summer, so you don’t have to heat up your house by turning on your oven for hours. It just sets up in the fridge. And you can even make this a day or two in advance and just let it hang out in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

Lemon Cheesecake- a no bake cheesecake that just screams Spring and Summer. It will be perfect served at Easter or on your Mother’s Day brunch menu!

Ingredients
1, 6- ounce box of lemon jello mix gelatin, NOT pudding
juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup sugar
2, 8- ounce pkgs cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1, 8- ounce container of cool whip
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter- melted
extra whipped cream and lemon slices/ wedges optional for garnish

Instructions
In a medium mixing bowl, mix the jello, and lemon juice with the hot water. Stir until dissolved, then add the cold water. Set the bowl in the fridge until the jello is completely cooled, but not set.
In a separate mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add the chilled jello mix, while beating everything together. Once smooth, set in the fridge again, until the mixture begins to thicken- about 1 hour.
Prepare the graham cracker crust by mixing the crumbs with the melted butter and then press it into a large springform pan, minimum of 10 inches. Set in freezer until ready for the crust.
Fold the cool whip into the cream cheese and jello mixture with a rubber scraper. Gently mix until the mixture is smooth and the cool whip is evenly distributed.
Pour the cheesecake mixture into the crust. Let it set in the fridge for at least 6 hours, overnight is best. Do not cover with plastic wrap until the cheesecake is set.
Serve chilled, top each slice with the optional whipped cream and lemon wedge. Keep the cheesecake chilled.