Description
Luscious lemon raspberry swirl cheesecake combines creamy texture with tangy fruit notes from classic American dessert traditions. Elegant layers of zesty lemon and sweet raspberry create a memorable finale that delights guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 4 (8 ounces/226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Raspberry Swirl:
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F (165C) and lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
- Create a crumbly foundation by mixing graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter, then firmly press the mixture into the pan’s base to form an even crust.
- Craft the vibrant raspberry swirl by blending fresh raspberries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch, then carefully strain the mixture to eliminate seeds and achieve a smooth consistency.
- Whip cream cheese until velvety, gradually incorporating sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice, then gently fold in eggs one at a time, ensuring a silky texture before mixing in sour cream.
- Delicately pour the creamy cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, then artfully dollop the raspberry mixture on top, using a toothpick or knife to create elegant swirling patterns.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, watching for a slightly wobbly center, which indicates perfect doneness, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours to set and develop its rich, tangy flavor before serving chilled.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends perfectly.
- Gently swirl raspberry mixture to create beautiful marbled patterns without overmixing the layers.
- Prevent cracks by baking in a water bath and avoiding overmixing the cheesecake batter.
- Gluten-free option: Replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a similar texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg