Description
Lemon cheesecake sparkles with zesty citrus magic, bringing Mediterranean sunshine to classic dessert lovers. Silky cream cheese meets tangy lemon in a creamy slice that promises pure indulgence with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 prepared graham cracker crust
Citrus and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Creamy and Finishing Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 batch lemon curd (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Craft a protective shield for your delicate dessert by enveloping the springform pan completely with aluminum foil, ensuring no water can penetrate during the baking process.
- Gently massage cream cheese, sugar, and aromatic lemon zest together in a spacious mixing vessel until the texture transforms into a velvety landscape of smoothness.
- Infuse the mixture with vanilla’s rich essence and bright lemon juice, stirring until harmoniously blended.
- Introduce eggs into the creamy canvas, incorporating them two at a time with delicate, minimal stirring to maintain the filling’s luxurious texture.
- Tenderly drizzle heavy cream into the batter, using low-speed mixing to preserve the mixture’s silky integrity.
- Transfer the luscious filling into the pre-baked crust, creating an even landscape within the pan.
- Position the cheesecake within a larger roasting pan, surrounding it with steaming hot water that reaches midway up the springform’s exterior.
- Slide the assembled setup into a preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 75-85 minutes until the edges rise confidently and the center maintains a gentle, provocative wobble.
- Rescue the cheesecake from the oven’s embrace, letting it cool gradually at room temperature for one full hour.
- Embellish the surface with a generous, even layer of tangy lemon curd.
- Nestle the creation in the refrigerator, allowing it to rest and develop its flavors for a minimum of five hours, ideally overnight.
Notes
- Prevent Cracks: Avoid overmixing ingredients and overbaking by gently folding eggs and watching the cheesecake’s texture during baking.
- Customize Flavors: Experiment with different citrus zests like lime or orange to create unique variations of this classic dessert.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap traditional graham cracker crust with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour for a
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg