20-Minute No-Bake Lemon Jelly Yogurt Chilled Tart

Prep: 20 min1 tart (8 slices)medium
No-Bake Lemon Jelly Yogurt Chilled Tart

Effortless icebox dessert combining tangy lemon jelly, creamy condensed milk, and yogurt in a buttery biscuit crust. Requires no oven or baking skills, just chilling time. Perfect for summer entertaining, potlucks, or when you need a make-ahead dessert. This version skips traditional baking by using gelatin-set layers instead of pastry, making it accessible and forgiving for any home cook.

Ingredients

Yield: 1 tart (8 slices)
  • 4 ½ oz lemon jelly powder, packet
    any fruit jelly1:1flavor-swap

    strawberry, raspberry, or lime work well

  • 1 ¾ cups condensed milk, canned
    evaporated milk1:1dairy-freevegan

    evaporated has less sweetness, add 2 tbsp sugar

    Full guide →
  • 2 cups yogurt, any flavour
    Greek yogurt1:1protein-boost

    creates thicker, tangier layers

    Full guide →
  • 10 count graham crackers or graham crackers, whole
    graham crackers1:1american

    similar crumb structure and flavor

    Full guide →
  • 1 tbsp butter or margarine, melted
    coconut oil1:1vegandairy-freedairy-free

    use melted, creates slightly different texture

    Full guide →

Instructions

  1. 1

    Crush graham crackers in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form.

  2. 2

    Mix crushed biscuits with melted butter until well combined.

  3. 3

    Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a pie dish and refrigerate for 1 hour.

  4. 4

    Prepare jelly packet using only half the recommended liquid to make approximately 285ml.

  5. 5

    Stir condensed milk into the prepared jelly.

  6. 6

    Add yogurt and stir until smooth and fully combined.

  7. 7

    Pour jelly mixture onto chilled biscuit base.

  8. 8

    Refrigerate immediately for 1 hour until set.

  9. 9

    Decorate with toppings of choice before serving if desired.

Tips

Tip 1

Crush biscuits in a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin for quick cleanup and even texture without mess.

Tip 2

Use only half the jelly packet's recommended water to create a thicker, more stable filling that won't separate.

Good to Know

Storage

Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Condensed milk filling keeps dessert stable longer than fresh cream-based tarts.

Make Ahead

Assemble completely up to 1 day ahead. Prepare biscuit crust up to 2 days in advance; wrap and refrigerate separately before adding filling.

Serve With

Serve chilled directly from refrigerator. Slice with a warm, wet knife for clean edges. Pairs with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of fruit coulis.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Use full packet of jelly with full water amount to avoid overly soft, runny filling that won't set.

Watch

Don't skip the initial 1-hour crust chilling to prevent crumb migration into the jelly layer.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

condensed milk
evaporated milk1:1dairy-freevegan

evaporated has less sweetness, add 2 tbsp sugar

Full guide →
butter
coconut oil1:1vegandairy-freedairy-free

use melted, creates slightly different texture

Full guide →

General Alternatives

yogurt
Greek yogurt1:1protein-boost

creates thicker, tangier layers

Full guide →
digestive biscuits
graham crackers1:1american

similar crumb structure and flavor

Full guide →
lemon jelly
any fruit jelly1:1flavor-swap

strawberry, raspberry, or lime work well

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I double this recipe?

Yes. Use gelatin powder mixed with half the recommended water, one 300g carton of cream cheese, and another 500g yogurt. Press two batches of biscuit crust into a larger dish if needed.

What if my jelly didn't set properly?

This happens if you used too much liquid or didn't chill long enough. Let it sit another 1-2 hours. If still soft, whisk gently and serve as a fool-like dessert instead.

How long will this keep in the fridge?

Up to 3 days covered. The condensed milk acts as a preservative, but eat sooner if adding fresh fruit toppings, which weep moisture.