Light, Summery Lemon Cheesecake

5.0
(1)

This is a light, airy, and creamy cheesecake. The lemon flavor is not too bold and it has a delicious pound cake crust.

Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 55 mins
Additional Time:
8 hrs 35 mins
Total Time:
11 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
1 10-inch cheesecake

Ingredients

Pound Cake Crust:

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • ½ cup butter, softened

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • cup buttermilk

  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest

  • ½ teaspoon lemon extract

Filling:

  • 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • 4 large eggs

  • 12 ounces ready-to-serve lemon pudding

  • 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Meringue Topping:

  • 4 egg whites

  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

  • 1 pinch salt

  • ½ cup white sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a loaf pan, or any pan with sides at least 4 inches high.

  2. Beat sugar and butter using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until creamy, scraping the bowl often with a rubber spatula. Continue to beat, adding eggs 1 at a time, until well combined.

  3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.

  4. Reduce mixer speed to low and continue beating the sugar mixture. Gradually add flour mixture alternatively with buttermilk until well combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and lemon extract; mix well. Spread pound cake crust mixture into the prepared pan.

  5. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.

  6. Let pound cake cool completely. Cut cake into pieces and press into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

  7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  8. Beat cream cheese and sugar using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add lemon pudding, sour cream, and lemon zest; blend well. Pour filling into prepared crust and spread evenly.

  9. Fill an oven-safe container with water and place it in the preheated oven under the rack where you will place the cheesecake; this will prevent cracking.

  10. Bake cheesecake in the preheated oven until almost set, about 45 minutes.

  11. Meanwhile, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt together in a bowl using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Pour in sugar while beating constantly until glossy peaks form.

  12. Remove cheesecake from oven, leaving oven on. Spread meringue topping over the filling to edges, using a spatula to tap for desired peaks. Return cheesecake immediately to oven.

  13. Continue to bake cheesecake until meringue is golden brown, 14 to 15 minutes. Turn off the oven. Crack the oven door open, and let cheesecake set and slowly cool for 15 minutes.

  14. Remove from oven and let cheesecake cool completely, 20 to 30 minutes more. Refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.

Cook's Note:

To save baking time, you could purchase a pre-made pound cake to use for your crust.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

602 Calories
35g Fat
64g Carbs
11g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 602
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 44%
Saturated Fat 21g 103%
Cholesterol 184mg 61%
Sodium 429mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 64g 23%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 42g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 100mg 8%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 187mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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