Description
Creamy lemon-lime cherry pistachio cheesecake delights with its tangy-sweet symphony of flavors. Nutty pistachios and zesty citrus dance together, creating a dessert that brings pure joy to your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (8 ounces) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup pistachios, chopped
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Flavoring and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lime zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by lightly greasing and set oven temperature to 325F (165C).
- Create a crumbly crust by combining graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, then firmly press into the pan’s bottom.
- Whip cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy, gradually incorporating sour cream and eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
- Enhance the batter with vanilla, citrus zests, and fresh citrus juices, blending until perfectly integrated.
- Transfer cheesecake mixture into prepared crust, distributing evenly across the surface.
- Artfully scatter cherry preserves across the batter, using a knife to create delicate swirl patterns.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes until the center appears set and slightly firm.
- After baking, turn off oven and leave cheesecake inside with door slightly ajar for one hour to prevent cracking.
- Remove from oven and allow complete cooling at room temperature.
- Refrigerate cheesecake for minimum 4 hours or overnight to achieve optimal texture.
- Prepare pistachio whipped cream by whipping chilled heavy cream until thickened, then fold in powdered sugar, vanilla, and crushed pistachios.
- Create cherry glaze by heating preserves with water, stirring constantly until slightly reduced and thickened.
- Once chilled, spread cherry glaze over cheesecake surface.
- Just before serving, generously top with pistachio whipped cream.
Notes
- Prevent Cracks: Avoid overmixing the cheesecake batter and use a water bath to create a moist baking environment, which helps prevent surface cracks.
- Zest Enhancement: Microplane the citrus zest finely to release maximum flavor without bitter white pith, ensuring a bright, clean citrus note.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This cheesecake can be prepared up to 3 days in advance, allowing flavors to meld and develop a deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Dietary Adaptations: Substitute graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives and use dairy-free cream cheese for a gluten-free and vegan-friendly version of the dessert.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 173
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 48 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg