Super quick and easy to make, and with under 200 calories per serving, this dessert will satisfy that sweet tooth craving without blowing any New Year’s diet resolutions.
Happy New Year!
I’m super excited to share this decadent, guilt-free, sweet dessert recipe with you this January. If, like me, you might be working towards some fitness goals or just trying to shed that little bit of festive weight gain but still want to enjoy the occasional treat, then this recipe is for you.
My super easy lemon Quark cheesecake recipe takes only a few minutes. The hardest part is waiting for the mixture to chill before eating! It’s lower in calories, and fat, made possible by using light cream cheese and low-fat Quark.
What is Quark?
If you’re not already familiar with it, Quark is a fresh dairy product loaded with protein. It tastes a bit like Greek yoghurt but has a less sour taste to it. it also contains fewer calories than Greek yoghurt, making it an ideal choice for the health-conscious.
Quark has been known in Europe since the 14th century, and it can be used fresh as a substitute for soured cream or cottage cheese, in baking and even for beauty treatments!
Ingredients needed for this no-bake lemon Quark cheesecake
- 100 grams of your favourite lower-calorie cereal bars – I’ve used Special K Red Berries
- 250 grams of low-fat Quark
- 180 grams of lightest cream cheese
- 10 grams of granulated sweetener – I’ve used Canderel, but you could use stevia, Nutri-sweet or Hermesetas. Adjust the quantities to be equivalent to 100 grams of caster sugar
- 1 lemon – juice and zest
- 8 grams of gelatine powder
- fresh fruit, to garnish, if desired
How to make this no-bake lemon Quark cheesecake recipe
- Break up your cereal bars into small pieces and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Process until fine and press into the base of four dessert dishes. Chill while you make the filling.
- Gently mix the Quark, cream cheese, sweetener and lemon zest in a bowl.
- Heat the lemon juice and sprinkle over the gelatine powder. Still until dissolved, checking the mixture by rubbing it between your thumb and forefinger. It will be smooth when it’s ready.
- Fold the lemon juice into the Quark mixture until combined.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the four dessert bowls, smoothing over the top.
- Chill until firm (about two hours) and garnish with fresh fruit, as desired!
Recipe Difficulty Levels
Easy
Requires basic cooking skills and ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.
Moderate
Requires more experience, preparation and/or cooking time. You may have to source special ingredients.
Challenging
Recipes requiring more advanced skills and experience and maybe some special equipment.
Low Calorie No Bake Lemon Quark Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
- 100 grams lower calorie cereal bars crumbled
- 250 grams low fat Quark
- 180 grams light cream cheese
- 10 grams granular low calorie sweetener
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- 8 grams gelatine granules
- fresh fruit to garnish
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Equipment
InstructionsÂ
- Crumble 100 grams lower calorie cereal bars and microwave for 30 seconds.
- Process in a mini food processor until broken down and press into the base of four dessert dishes. Chill the bases in the fridge while you prepare the filling.
- Gently mix 250 grams low fat Quark, 180 grams light cream cheese, 10 grams granular low calorie sweetener and zest of 1 lemon together in a mixing bowl.
- Heat 30 ml of lemon juice until very hot, but not boiling, and sprinkle over 8 grams gelatine granules. Whisk until dissolved. Test to see if the granules are dissolved by rubbing a little of the lemon mixture between your thumb and forefinger.
- Fold into the Quark mixture and spoon over the dessert bases.
- Smooth over the top, garnish with fresh fruit and chill until firm.
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Made it for 1 person added 30mls lemon juice and dissolved 2g gelatine granules, when I mixed it into the cheese it wasn’t as thick as your video, praying it will set anyway.
Hi, I hope your dessert turned out ok! 30mls of lemon juice is for the recipe that serves 4, so if you’re making it for one you’d only need 7.5 ml of lemon juice, or 3/4 of a teaspoonful. I think there’s too much liquid for the quantity of gelatine you used, sorry.
Thanks from Canadian expat living now in Australia I’m adapting this for family Valentine’s Day tomorrow
Awesome! What adaptations did you try and how did it turn out?
I made this cheesecake this afternoon, it was quick and easy to make and very tastey!! Will definitely be making it again for family and friends.
Oh my. This looks delicious! We love cheesecake in this house. Would love to give this a go!
This looks absolutely delicious – lemon is my favourite! I have never tasted quark but will definitely try this. Kaz
Looks fantastic! I was justing wondering about how hard would it be for you to make this.
I’ve never cooked with quark before, but would really like to
Looks delicious!!
This looks absolutely delicious and something I would love to make. I have only tried Quark once before, I think I used it to make a pasta sauce Weight Watchers style!
I have never used Quark, but this recipe seems like a great one to try out. I love a cheesecake.
Very nice and fruity. Looks really delicious. I never cooked with quark before. Will have to give it a try.
It sounds delicious! I normally make quark with a hot chocolate sachet, yum.
I use it in a lot of pasta recipes as a substitute or extra taste of cheese
looks very nice, ive never used quark before x
I have never tried quark before but this recipe looks delicious
I’ve never tried this but I definitely will be ! I love this recipe
Never used it but it sounds like what comes out of a posh ducks mouth
This sounds and looks delicious! I wish I had more time (and motivation) to bake more things myself.
I haven’t used quark before.
recipe sounds great. I have never tried Quark
it looks really yummy ive never actually had quark
This looks delicious, I usually make some dip with herbs and garlic a healthy alternative to mayonnaise
No experience with them, but will look into it perhaps, recipie looks delicous x
This sounds delicious! I usually use quark with mini meringues and berries for a low calories Eton Mess!
Well who knew that there was such a thing as World Quark Day?! Sounds like the perfect recipe to try Quark with – I love a baked cheesecake but everyone needs a no-bake alternative for when they really can’t wait!
This looks delish! I love quark, it’s so versatile and great for when I’m trying to do lower calories too.
Looks scrummy, never tried Quark yet, but now i know, i will
I always love the no bake recipes and I really like the way you have chosen to serve these.
Never heard of something like this! It’s a fantastic idea and looks great, must taste delicious xx
This sounds like a lovely recipe, I have use Quark in cheesecake before too
Very interesting recipe and haven’t cooked with it yet
Haha you had me when I spotted the words no bake. This is a fab idea xx
I’ve not heard of quark before but if it has less calories and is healthier than yogurt I would be up for swapping. I do love a lemon cheesecake so having a healthier alternative would be great for me
Looks gorgeous – I will defo be trying this x
Looks amazing. I have always wanted to try Quark
This recipe sounds great. I have never tried Quark.
I’ve still not tried it yet but my friends have given me lots of recipes for it, it’s on my next food shop!
I like to make some diet friendly dips to have with carrot and cucumber sticks!
This sounds delicious and definitely something I would try. I’ve never really used quark before as I never know what to do with it!
Love plain quark dip with a few herbs and spices
Already use quark in many recipes that usually request cream – great alternative and much healthier too
Have to say never ever tried it (quark) but I do love my cheesecake and i am in need of lower calorie desserts
This looks delicious! I love a lemon cheesecake <3