Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
24 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon zest
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
4 tbsp butter
3 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press into springform pan and bake 10 minutes.
2. Beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and lemon zest. Pour into crust and bake in water bath for 50 minutes.
3. Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, and yolks in saucepan. Cook until thickened, then whisk in butter. Chill slightly.
4. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar until stiff glossy peaks form.
5. Spread lemon curd over cheesecake, top with meringue, and toast until golden.
Notes
Always bake cheesecake in a water bath to avoid cracks.
Use room-temperature cream cheese for smooth texture.
Torch the meringue just before serving for best presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, lemon dessert, cheesecake recipe