Description
Indulgent strawberry lemon cheesecake promises a delightful journey through creamy textures and tangy notes. Sweet-tart flavors dance across palates, inviting you to savor each blissful bite of this irresistible dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 2 packages (16 ounces / 450 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit and Topping:
- 1 cup strawberry preserves
- 1/2 cup lemon jam
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- Whipped cream
- Lemon zest curls
Instructions
- Craft a buttery foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter, pressing firmly into a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350F (175C) for 10 minutes until golden.
- Whip cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until silky smooth, eliminating any potential lumps.
- Incorporate eggs individually, gently folding after each addition to maintain a luxurious, uniform consistency. Blend in vanilla extract until just combined.
- Gently distribute half of the zesty cream cheese mixture over the pre-baked graham cracker base.
- Transform strawberry preserves into a spreadable consistency by warming briefly in a microwave or small saucepan over low heat.
- Delicately spread the warmed strawberry preserves across the cream cheese layer, maintaining distinct visual layers.
- Cascade the remaining lemon-infused cream cheese mixture over the strawberry preserve layer.
- Bake at 350F for 40 minutes until the center is just set but slightly jiggly. Allow to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours to allow complete setting and flavor melding.
- Create a glossy finish by heating lemon jam with water until smooth, then drizzle over the chilled cheesecake.
- Elevate presentation by artfully arranging fresh strawberry slices, adding billowy whipped cream dollops, and garnishing with delicate lemon zest curls.
Notes
- Prevent cracks by avoiding overmixing the cream cheese and baking at a consistent temperature, which helps maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Create clean, precise layers by using a spatula and gently spreading preserves and cream cheese mixture to maintain distinct color and flavor separation.
- Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother blending and prevent lumpy cheesecake texture, so remove cream cheese and eggs from refrigerator 30 minutes before preparing.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 324 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 193 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg