This Lemon meringue cheesecake recipe is decadent and rich – a lemon cheesecake with a ribbon of homemade lemon curd running through the middle and another layer of lemon curd spread across the top. Baked in a Lemon cookie crumb crust and topped with a fluffy toasted meringue every bite is amazing.
How I created this decadent Lemon Meringue Cheesecake recipe
In April my mom and I took a week long trip to PARIS!!!! yup – we spent one day at Disneyland Paris, and spent 6 days taking cooking classes in the morning and being tourists the rest of the day!
We saw all the sites and of COURSE ate all the food! If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen some of the food!One of the favorite things we tried was a Lemon Meringue Cheesecake from Berko. So of COURSE it became one of the recipes I had to recreate at home.
To create this I actually used my base Dense and Creamy cheesecake recipe, my Graham cracker crust recipe (but used lemon cookies instead), my homemade lemon curd recipe and my American meringue (aka marshmallow frosting aka 7 minute frosting) and put them all together!
Now my lemon curd is a little more creamy than some, so it’s also more pale and opaque – so if you want a more bright yellow, more gelatin looking curd don’t add the cream and maybe even a little less butter. Just a Personal preference!
Just take me to the Cheesecake Recipe already!
If you’d rather skip my tips and tricks for getting the perfect cheesecake, along with links to some of my other cheesecake recipes and get straight to this delicious lemon Meringue Cheesecake Recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
Tips and Tricks for baking the Perfect Cheesecake with no cracking
– Room temperate ingredients are key for a smooth texture.
– Beat the cream cheese and sugar as much as you want, make it smooth, but once you add the eggs, do NOT overbeat, just mix on low until they are barely incorporated, beating after you add the eggs is what often leads to cracking.
– Make sure your oven is the correct temperature (I love my oven thermometer)
– TRY not to open the oven door, like ever, if you can help it.
– I used to hate water baths – the foil always leaks and I don’t like mushy crusts – but waterbaths keep cheesecakes more evenly baked and nice and flat – so now I recommend a silicone water bath pan!!!
– If you run out of water in the water bath pan make sure to boil any water you add so it doesn’t stop the baking process.
– Cook your cheesecake until it’s puffy and set on the outer edge but it’s still a bit jiggly in the center, like a loose jello jiggler, but not liquid, in the center 4-5 inches. It will keep cooking afterwards a bit, and IMO better to be slightly under cooked than overcooked.
– Turn off the oven and crack open the oven door to let it cool slowly, this will help it finish cooking but not cool TOO fast and crack
– Do NOT eat it right away, cheesecake sets and gets BETTER with time in the fridge, at LEAST 8 hours
How to adjust this Cheesecake for the instant pot
I use an 8 inch springform pan for my 8 quart pressure cooker, but I recommend a 7 inch for the 6 quart. So depending on your pan size you might need to change the recipe a little
Go to the “servings size” in the recipe card and adjust it until the cream cheese measurement is 1.5 lbs for a thinner 8 inch cheesecake or for the 7 inch pan.
For instant pot cheesecake tips and tricks and cooking times go to my instant pot cheesecake post! Or you can turn it into Instant pot cheesecake bites. (I have peanut butter bites, oreo bites and salted caramel bites already shared)
What equipment I use to make the perfect cheesecake recipe:
- Candy Thermometer
- Zester
- Food Processor
- 9″ Spring form Pan
- 9″ parchment cake circles
- silicone water bath pan
- 12 x 3 inch cake pan
- Stand Mixer
- Hand Mixer – (I adore my bosch hand mixer but they are hard to find as they don’t currently sell them stateside)
- Culinary Torch
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake Recipe
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If you love this Lemon Meringue Cheesecake recipe you’ll love these other cheesecake recipes too!
Chocolate Cheesecake | Salted Caramel Cheesecake | Maple Bacon Cheesecake
Classic Cheesecake | Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake | Pistachio Cheesecake Coconut Macaroon Crust
Connect with Ashlee Marie Online!
The Lemon Meringue Cheesecake recipe video should also be auto playing for you – if not press play in the recipe card below.
You can find all my cooking show style recipe videos on YouTube, or my short recipe videos on Facebook Watch, or my Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
Lemon Curd
- 2 Tbsp lemon zest about 3 lemons
- 1/2 C lemon juice about 4 lemons – zest the 4th and save for the cheesecake
- 3 Lrg eggs
- 3 Lrg egg yolks
- 3/4 C granulated sugar
- ½ C butter cold and cut into cubes
- 2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
- Pinch of salt
Lemon Cookie Crust
- 1 1/2 C lemon cookie crumbs
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 6 Tbsp butter melted
Lemon Cheesecake
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest about 2 lemons
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice about 1 lemon
- 1 C granulated sugar separated
- 2 lbs cream cheese room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Lrg eggs room temperature
- 1 Lrg egg yolk room temperature
Meringue Topping
- 4 Lrg egg whites
- 3/4 C granulated sugar
- 6 Tbsp light corn syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
Lemon Curd
- heat the lemon zest and lemon juice in small saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
- Whisk the eggs, yolk and sugar in a bowl
- Whisking constantly, slowly pour hot lemon juice into eggs, this will temper the eggs – aka bring them up to heat without scrambling them
- Then return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring, until mixture registers 170 degrees F (remember to adjust for altitude)
- Take off the heat and pour into a bowl
- Stir in the butter, cream and salt – note for a brighter lemon curd leave out the whipping cream
- Cover surface of curd directly with plastic wrap to avoid getting a “skin” on the curd – refrigerate until needed.
Lemon Cookie Crumb Crust
- preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a food processor process cookies until a fine crumb
- Add the sugar and melted butter and process again
- Press mixture into a 9 inch springform pan, along the bottom and up the sides
- Bake until fragrant 10-12 mins
- Set aside and let cool
Lemon Cheesecake
- bring oven temperature down to 300
- While crust is cooling, mix 1/4 cup sugar and lemon zest in food processor until sugar is yellow and zest is broken down, about 15 seconds
- In a mixing bowl beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth
- Add the lemon sugar mixture and beat until mixture is creamy and smooth, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula as needed.
- Add the lemon juice and mix until just incorporated
- Reduce speed to medium-low and add eggs and yolk 1 at a time; beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds, scraping sides and bottom of bowl well after each addition.
- Pour half the batter into the crust, then spoon on 1/3 of the lemon curd and swirl it slightly
- Spoon the rest of the cheesecake batter over the top
- Place in the silicone water bath pan – and place in a 12 inch round cake pan, adding water ½ way up
- Bake about 1 hour until the sides start to puff, the surface is no longer shiny and the center 4-5 inches jiggles slightly – like a jello jiggler
- Turn off oven and prop open oven door with potholder or wooden spoon handle; allow cake to cool in water bath in oven for 30 min to 1 hour.
- When the cheesecake has mostly cooled, spread the rest of the curd evenly over the top of cheesecake.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or 8 to 24 hours.
Meringue topping
- Put eggs whites, sugar and corn syrup in a bowl over boiling water and beat with a hand mixer until the mixture turns white, thickens and ribbons form- about 4 mins.
- Transfer the mixture to a cool mixing bowl, add the vanilla and beat with electric mixer on Med high until soft peaks form- about 3 mins
- Pipe or Spread onto the cheesecake
- Use a culinary torch to toast the outside of the meringue
- Refrigerate until ready to serve
Video
Nutrition
And today happens to be national Cheesecake day!!! What’s your all time favorite cheesecake flavor??? I have 22 more cheesecake recipes to share with you that I just know your going to love!
National Cheesecake Day!
Celebrating Food Blogger thirteen new Cheesecake Recipes
- Cheesecake Brownies – Creations by Kara
- Mini Raspberry Cheesecakes – Pretty Providence
- Cherry Cheesecake Popsicles – Crumb
- Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake – Savory Experiments
- target=”_blank”Coconut Key Lime Cheesecake Bars – Real Mom Kitchen
- No Bake Berry Cheesecake Parfait – An Italian in my Kitchen
- Dairy Free Cheesecake – Namely Marly
- Cappuccino Cheesecake – Simply Stacie
- Chocolate Almond Cheesecake in Jars – Premeditated Leftovers
- No Bake Vanilla Cheesecake Mousse – The Baker Upstairs
- No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake – Super Golden Bakes
- Instant Pot Cheesecake – My Mommy Style
Ten More Chocolate Cheesecake recipes from me
- Perfect Dense and Creamy Cheesecake
- Salted Caramel Cheesecake
- Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cheesecake
- Pistachio Cheesecake with coconut macaroon crust
- Maple Bacon Cheesecake
- Mini cheesecakes
- Cheesecake Chimichangas
- Cheesecake Ice Cream
- No-bake cheesecake
Carolyn Sowell
I am going to make Salted Carmel cappuccino cheesecake for Xmas & this Lemon Cheedecake for Thanksgiving
Ashlee Marie
Mmmmm sounds kinda like my plan!!!
Marly
What a delicious recipe. Looks so colorful – and that meringue topping! Amazing!
akashocd
Wow this cheese cake are looking super delicious, thank you for sharing your blog
Ashlee Marie
you are so very welcome!!!
Natalie
What lemon cookies did you use? Brand/type.
Thank you. 🌻🍋
Ashlee Marie
I got these from costco https://amzn.to/2wgGCWF
Patricia
This looks like perfection! Do you think it would hold up to a quick blast under broiler to toast the meringue? Thank You🙃
Ashlee Marie
if it’s all you have then yes, but a culinary torch isn’t that expensive and honestly I use all the time.
Patricia
Do you have a favorite brand of torch? I’ve thought about getting one for several years—would love to know which one you use.
Thanks Ashlee!🙃
Siobhan
This cheesecake was absolutely incredible!! The one change I made was toasting the meringue in the oven because I didn’t have a kitchen torch, but it worked great! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Ashlee Marie
way to think on your feet! perfect! and so glad you enjoyed the cheesecake
Erika
That is A LOT of sugar for one recipe.
Ashlee Marie
personally I think it’s just the right amt!
Susan
I hated water baths too – seemed like this cruel game we played, wrapping the pan in foil so the water wouldn’t get in – and it always did. Then I read a suggestion to put your pan in a slow cooker bag. It has been a godsend!!
Ashlee Marie
I’ve read that too, and tried it and it worked well, but now I’m in love with the silicone water bath https://amzn.to/2webrLu it’s my new favorite.
Suzanne Stove
Dear Ashlee ,
So love making cheesecakes, was wondering as every time I use my I pad it tends to crash , not happy 😬😢 … Thus was wondering if you have a Chessecake book I can buy …. I ended up getting my partner to take a photo on his phone for your lemon meringue Chessecake but not the same , so hoping you can help , as a bit of a blonde when it comes to technology ..
Thanking you Suzanne
Ashlee Marie
you can print the recipes – they have a print button right on them. not sure why your ipad is crashing in the kitchen. And I don’t currently have a cheesecake book, but I should create a cheesecake ecookbook! thanks for the idea!
Eva
What is that white open topped mixer you use? Looks amazing
Ashlee Marie
yup it’s a bosch universal mixer – been around since the 50’s! I grew up with one, my mom’s is 40 years old and still going strong! Their website is here http://bit.ly/Ilovemybosch or you can find it on amazon too http://amzn.to/210Eyra I have a full review here http://ashleemarie.com/bosch-universal-mixer-review-love-bosch-series/
lesa
How much salt in the cheesecake part? Directions say to add lemon juice and salt but salt isn’t listed in the ingredients. Making this now….argh.
Ashlee Marie
sorry about that – no salt in the cheesecake layer, not sure why there was some in the instructions!
akashocd
Wow this cake is looking so delicious, thank you for sharing your recipe
Ashlee Marie
you are so very welcome! let me know what you think when you give it a try!!!
Lesa
This is one of the best things I’ve ever laid my lips on. I made one for a trial run and am making a 2nd today for a co-worker. Amazingly good is an understatement.
Ashlee Marie
so glad you like it!!! I think I’ve made it like 4 times already!
Hope cahill
I cant find the recipe.
Ashlee Marie
It’s at the bottom of the post in a recipe box
Anna
This is one of the best cheesecakes I have ever made…and I have made a lot! Bravo.
This will definitely be a go-to dessert for company…or a special treat. So tasty and luxurious. A hit with all who try it.
Ashlee Marie
YAY! so glad you enjoyed it!!!
Freja
Making this cake tomorrow for new years, (so excited btw, it looks amazing!) but we’re not gonna be enough people to eat the entire cake, so how long can we keep it in the fridge after? More specifically does the meringue last well in the fridge? 🙂
Ashlee Marie
The cheesecake will last 9-10 days. The meringue could get a little weepy, but it will be okay.
Lisa Hannan
Looks amazing my family loves anything lemon can’t wait to make it but where did you get the cheesecake pan would love to get one thanks
Ashlee Marie
Ummm I own like 10 cheesecake pans… I have bought them from amazon, the grocery store, the craft store (wilton). Just search for “springform pan” https://amzn.to/2UiqIYD
Tammy Hamilton
I love Cheesecake and all things lemon. Your recipe looked amazing, and it did not disappoint. I used lemon Oreos for the crust, I love the fact that it had lemon curd in the cheesecake and again on top of the cheesecake! The only problem I had with the recipe was the meringue. I loved the taste, but it did not set up for me. I’m hoping I just needed to cook it longer, and I will definitely try it again.. I love the way yours turned out in the picture. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Ashlee Marie
I’m so glad you like it! I haven’t had trouble with the meringue setting ever. It should beat up nice and thick before you add it to the top – it doesn’t really set more than that, it’s not a typical meringue, it’s more marshmallowy and rich.
Val
The flavor was amazing but my cheesecake did NOT SET! I followed all instructions to anT, had the cheesecake set in fridge for 2 days, but it did not hold any shape: too much lemon curd in between layers? I also could not get the cake off of the bottom of the pan: maybe use parchment paper? The bottom of my springform pan is not smooth, maybe I need a new pan? The meringue also do not get as high as yours, maybe add with a spoon then just peak the top? I was so disappointed in the presentation but the taste was superb. Lots is steps and afraid to try again
Ashlee Marie
I always use parchment paper in the bottom of the pan. try adding less lemon curd next time, see if that helps – also maybe simply baking a tad bit longer? UGH so sorry it didn’t work out! And for the meringue did you beat it long enough, was it stiff enough to hold the height?