Description
Creamy lemon cheesecake delight promises a zesty journey through sweet and tangy flavors. Smooth cream cheese, bright citrus notes, and buttery graham cracker crust combine for an irresistible dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy:
- 450 g (16 oz) cream cheese
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- 115 g (1/2 cup) sour cream
- 2 eggs
Citrus and Flavoring:
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) fresh lemon juice
- 15 g (2 tbsp) lemon zest
- 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients and Base:
- 200 g (1.5 cups) graham cracker crumbs
- 100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 85 g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 15 g (2 tbsp) all-purpose flour
- 5 g (1 tsp) salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and prepare a 9-inch springform pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper.
- Melt butter and mix thoroughly with graham cracker crumbs, pressing the mixture firmly into the pan base to create a compact crust.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gradually incorporate granulated sugar, mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition to maintain a silky texture.
- Fold in sour cream, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, stirring gently to distribute flavors evenly.
- Sift flour and salt into the cheesecake batter, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing.
- Pour the batter smoothly over the prepared graham cracker crust, tapping the pan gently to release any air bubbles.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but set around the edges.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Carefully release from springform pan, slice, and garnish with additional lemon zest if desired.
Notes
- Prevent Cracks: Avoid overmixing batter and overbaking to maintain a smooth, crack-free cheesecake surface by using gentle folding techniques and checking doneness early.
- Water Bath Technique: Place the springform pan inside a larger baking dish filled with hot water to create a steamy environment, ensuring even baking and preventing surface cracks.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground nuts like almonds to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Zesty Flavor Boost: Enhance lemon intensity by adding a tablespoon of limoncello or increasing lemon zest quantity for a more pronounced citrusy profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg