This FOOLPROOF Lemon Cheesecake Recipe is smooth and creamy – and loaded with lemon flavor! Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest go in the lemon cheesecake batter – and homemade lemon curd goeson top. A crunchy graham cracker crust and freshly whipped cream make it an all-around winning recipe.
Smooth and Creamy Lemon Cheesecake Recipe
If you’re a lemon lover, you know that nothing things beat sinking a fork into a slice of smooth and creamy lemon cheesecake! I used to order this cheesecake all the time at The Cheesecake Factory, and finally decided to learn how to make it at home. Don’t tell anyone… but my recipe is even better!
Lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice get mixed into the cheesecake batter, which adds incredible lemon flavor. And topping the whole cheesecake with lemon curd amplifies the overall lemon power. And makes the cheesecake a total showstopper!
But if you want to make it even more beautiful, you can add swirls of freshly whipped cream and lemon slices! This is 100% optional, but makes the cheesecake look like it’s from a fancy bakery. My only word of advice: top with whipped cream right before you plan or serving! Or use a stabilized whipped cream recipe that can hold its shape for a while.
Ingredients for Lemon Cheesecake
Be sure to see the recipe box at the end of this post for recipe quantities and step-by-step instructions! You can scroll down or use the “jump to recipe” button at the top of this page!
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Can you use full sheets of graham crackers? Yes, but in my opinion, buying them pre-crushed is so much easier!
- Sugar: You’ll need granulated sugar for the graham cracker crumb crust and cheesecake filling. You’ll also need confectioners’ sugar if you plan on making homemade whipped cream.
- Salt: A tiny dash of salt helps enhance all of the flavors in this cheesecake while also balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter acts as a binder for the graham cracker crust. Do not sub this ingredient for oil. If you only have salted butter, that will work fine in a pinch!
- Lemons: Make sure you have enough lemons. I suggest buying 4 or 5 large lemons to ensure you have enough for this recipe!
- Cream Cheese: Be sure to bring you cream to room temperature, otherwise it’ll clump up when you try to mix it.
- Vanilla Extract: Be sure to use pure vanilla or a bourbon vanilla, but never imitation or artificial vanilla. In a pinch, you can just skip this ingredient.
- Eggs: This recipe uses both whole eggs and egg yolks. Be sure to add the eggs one at a time and avoid over beating the eggs. Always use eggs that you bring to room temperature.
- Heavy Cream: Do not sub milk or half-and-half for this ingredient. In a pinch, your best substitute would be full-fat sour cream or plain greek yogurt.
- Lemon Curd: You can make homemade lemon curd using my easy recipe. Or, simply pick up a jar from the grocery store. If you don’t like lemon curd, you may also skip adding this. The cheesecake will still have plenty of lemon flavor.
- Whipped Cream: While store-bought whipped cream will work in a pinch, I can’t recommend homemade whipped cream enough. Just beat heavy cream and a tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar in the bowl of stand mixer until medium-stiff peaks form.
- Mint Sprigs: This is 100% optional, but makes a lovely garnish to doll up your cheesecake. Another herb or edible flowers would also be a lovely touch!
How to Make Lemon Cheesecake
- Prepare the Water Bath: For a smooth and creamy crack-free cheesecake, this step is essential. But don’t fret, my guide to how to make an easy water bath for a cheesecake will help you every step of the way! Essentially, you’re just adding hot water to a large pan.
- Make the Graham Cracker Crumb Crust: Preheat your oven to 350 and partially bake the crust for 10 minutes. This extra step guarantees a crunchy graham cracker crust!
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: You’ll need a food processor or very strong blender/hand mixer to beat the cream cheese and make the filling. Unfortunately this cannot be done by hand.
- Bake the Cheesecake: Be sure to lower the oven temperature once the crust is done baking. This cheesecake bakes low and slow, and then also cools down inside the oven before being removed.
- Follow the Cooling Process: Be sure to allow this cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature. Then cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and chill for about 6 to 8 hours. You will not remove the cheesecake from the pan until you’re ready to serve!
- Garnish and Serve: Once your cheesecake is fully chilled, it’s time to decorate! Spread a layer of lemon curd on top, then go crazy with swirls of whipped cream, fresh lemon slices, and mint sprigs. Of course, these are all optional ideas you can opt out of! Feel free to simply slice this cheesecake and serve as is.
How to Store/Freeze Cheesecake
- You can store this cheesecake, covered in saran, for up to 3 days.
- Or cool completely and freeze the whole cheesecake – without the lemon curd or whipped cream- for up to 2 months.
- You can also freeze slices of the cheesecake, as long as they don’t have lemon curd or whipped cream on top.
- To thaw, place in the fridge overnight or for at least 6 to 8 hours.
Tools for this Recipe
- Springform Pan: This is the best and easiest to use cheesecake pan ever! I’ve had it for over 10 years and it’s a total workhorse.
- Large Roasting Pan: This will be used to make your water bath. You want a pan that can easily fit the spring form pan and a couple of inches of water.
- Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil: Be sure to use extra wide heavy duty foil, which covers the entire pan – no leaks!
- Hand Mixer, Food Processor, or Stand Mixer: You’ll need one of these electric mixer options to make the cheesecake batter.
- Piping Bag: A large piping bag is a must have if you want to make whipped cream swirls.
- Star Tip: I love using this tip to make pretty swirls of whipped cream on top of the cheesecake!
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Our go-to crumbs for graham cracker crumb crusts!
- Lemon Curd: If you don’t want to make homemade lemon curd, this is my favorite store-bought option.
More Lemon Cheesecake Recipes:
Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Mini Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake Cupcakes
Lemon Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake
Lemon Ginger Cheesecake with Fresh Raspberry Sauce
If you love lemon cheesecake, any of these recipes are sure to make your day! Packed with plenty of lemon flavor in the cheesecake batter, and topped with lemon curd, and lemon zest. They’re truly a lemon lovers dream come true. Perfect for spring celebrations like Easter and Mother’s Day!
Or a great dessert for hot summer days when you want something light, bright, and creamy.
