Heavenly Lemon Raspberry Meringue Cheesecake Recipe to Wow

Decadent desserts often spark joy, and this lemon raspberry meringue cheesecake recipe will steal your heart with its delightful layers of flavor.

Creamy cheesecake meets tangy lemon zest in a harmonious dance of sweetness and brightness.

The soft, pillowy meringue crowns this masterpiece with delicate elegance.

Juicy raspberries peek through the velvety filling, adding bursts of vibrant color and tartness.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures that melt seamlessly on your palate.

Rich cream cheese blends perfectly with the citrusy notes, creating a dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshing.

This irresistible treat is sure to become your new favorite showstopping dessert that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Heavenly Lemon Raspberry Meringue Cheesecake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a classic, buttery foundation with sweet, golden undertones.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances crumb sweetness and helps bind the crust together.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, cohesive texture and helps crumbs stick perfectly.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers rich, tangy base with smooth, luxurious consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances cream cheese's tanginess and adds gentle sweetness.
• Large Eggs: Provide structure and silky binding for the cheesecake.
• Sour Cream: Introduces creamy tang and helps create ultra-tender texture.
• Heavy Cream: Increases richness and creates lighter, more aerated filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Stabilizes filling and prevents cracking during baking.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Brightens flavor with zesty, refreshing citrus notes.

• Fresh Raspberries: Delivers vibrant, tart flavor and beautiful color contrast.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens raspberry sauce and balances natural tartness.
• Egg Whites: Creates cloud-like, glossy meringue with incredible volume.
• Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes egg whites and ensures perfect, stiff peaks.

Tools to Bake a Heavenly Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake

• Springform Pan: 9-inch essential for creating and removing cheesecake easily.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps remove crust smoothly.
• Mixing Bowls: Large and small for preparing different components.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Crucial for beating cream cheese, eggs, and meringue.
• Fine-Mesh Sieve: Strains raspberry sauce to remove seeds.
• Saucepan: Small pan for cooking raspberry sauce.
• Roasting Pan: Larger pan for water bath during baking.
• Skewer or Knife: Creates beautiful raspberry swirl pattern.
• Kitchen Torch or Broiler: Toasts meringue for golden finish.
• Whisk: Helps combine dry ingredients and mix sauces.
• Spatula: Spreads meringue and helps with various mixing tasks.

Baking Instructions for Meringue-Topped Cheesecake

• Create Buttery Base

Press graham cracker mix into springform pan, creating a solid foundation for your dreamy dessert. Quickly bake to lock in that rich, crumbly texture.

• Craft Vibrant Raspberry Sauce

Simmer fresh raspberries with sugar, transforming them into a luscious, jewel-toned liquid. Strain to ensure silky smoothness.

• Whip Creamy Cheesecake Filling

Blend cream cheese until velvety, gently folding in eggs and zesty lemon. Mix with light touches to maintain cloudlike softness.

• Build Delicious Layers

Pour filling over golden crust, then artfully drizzle raspberry sauce. Swirl with delicate movements to create mesmerizing marble patterns.

• Bake with Water Bath

Nestle cheesecake in hot water bath, allowing gentle heat to create impossibly smooth texture. Bake until edges set with a sexy little jiggle.

• Cool and Chill

Let cheesecake rest and relax in refrigerator, allowing flavors to mingle and develop rich depth.

• Crown with Fluffy Meringue

Whip egg whites into glossy, billowing peaks. Spread dramatically across chilled cake for stunning presentation.

• Toast to Perfection

Caramelize meringue with kitchen torch, creating golden, crispy edges that contrast with creamy interior.

• Serve and Celebrate

Slice this showstopper and enjoy the symphony of textures and flavors dancing on your plate.

Tips for a Beautifully Balanced Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake

• Pro tips to elevate your lemon raspberry meringue cheesecake experience
• Always use a water bath when baking cheesecake to prevent cracking and ensure a silky smooth texture. Wrap the springform pan with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in.
• Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to achieve a perfectly smooth filling without lumps.
• This cheesecake can be prepared up to 3 days in advance, making it perfect for entertaining. Keep refrigerated and add meringue topping just before serving.
• Swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version of this decadent dessert.
• Replace cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream to create a delightful dairy-free alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.

How to Serve Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake to Impress

• Fresh Fruity Garnish: Sprinkle fresh raspberries and lemon zest around the cheesecake edges for a vibrant, colorful presentation that enhances the dessert's natural flavors.
• Elegant Plating Technique: Serve each slice on a clean white plate with a delicate drizzle of raspberry coulis and a small mint leaf for an upscale restaurant-style touch.
• Complementary Beverage Pairing: Accompany the cheesecake with a crisp champagne or a light moscato white wine to balance the tangy lemon and sweet raspberry notes.
• Textural Contrast Suggestion: Add a small crisp almond tuile or delicate shortbread cookie alongside the slice to provide a crunchy counterpoint to the creamy cheesecake texture.

Keeping Your Meringue Cheesecake Fresh

• Refrigerate the cheesecake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorbing other food odors and maintain its delicate flavor profile.
• Carefully wrap individual slices or the entire cheesecake in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and taste.
• Keep meringue topping crisp by adding it just before serving. Store meringue-topped cheesecake separately from plain cheesecake to prevent moisture softening the delicate peaks.
• Prepare the cheesecake base and raspberry swirl up to 2 days in advance. Keep refrigerated and add meringue topping right before serving to ensure maximum visual appeal and textural contrast.

FAQs

• Why use a water bath when baking the cheesecake?

A water bath helps prevent cracks by creating a moist, even heating environment. It also ensures the cheesecake bakes gently and maintains a smooth, creamy texture without drying out or overcooking.

• Can I use frozen raspberries for the raspberry swirl?

Yes, frozen raspberries work perfectly. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before cooking down with sugar and lemon juice. They’ll create the same vibrant and flavorful swirl as fresh raspberries.

• How do I know when the cheesecake is perfectly baked?

The edges should be set and the center slightly jiggly, like soft jello. When you gently shake the pan, the center should wobble slightly but not look liquid. This indicates the cheesecake is cooked but will set completely during cooling.

• What's the purpose of adding flour to the cheesecake filling?

Flour helps stabilize the cheesecake, preventing cracks and creating a smoother, more consistent texture. It also helps bind the ingredients and provides a bit of extra structure to the filling.

Elegant Lemon Raspberry Meringue Cheesecake Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Lemon raspberry meringue cheesecake blends tangy citrus with sweet berries in a luxurious dessert. Silky layers meld creamy cheese, zesty lemon, and pillowy meringue for a sophisticated flavor profile you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 24 oz (680 g) cream cheese, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 0.75 cups (150 g) granulated sugar
• 0.5 cups (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 0.33 cups (80 ml) sour cream
• 0.33 cups (80 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.25 cups (60 ml) heavy cream
• 0.25 cups (60 ml) granulated sugar
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 lemon zest
• 0.5 cups (100 g) granulated sugar
• 0.25 tsp cream of tartar

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Merge graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter into a cohesive mixture. Press firmly into a parchment-lined springform pan, then bake at 325F for 10 minutes until set and golden.
2. Raspberry Sauce Creation: Simmer raspberries with sugar and lemon juice, breaking down the berries into a rich, vibrant sauce. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, then cool completely.
3. Cheesecake Batter Development: Blend cream cheese and sugar until velvety smooth. Incorporate eggs individually, then gently fold in sour cream, heavy cream, flour, lemon juice, and zest. Maintain a delicate mixing technique to preserve the luxurious texture.
4. Assembling and Marbling: Pour the creamy batter over the cooled crust, strategically dotting the surface with raspberry sauce. Use a skewer to create elegant, swirling marble patterns throughout the filling.
5. Precision Baking: Position the springform pan in a water bath, filling the outer pan with hot water halfway up the sides. Bake for 55-65 minutes until the edges stabilize and the center maintains a subtle jiggle.
6. Cooling Protocol: Allow the cheesecake to rest in the oven with the door slightly ajar for one hour, preventing potential cracking. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to achieve optimal setting.
7. Meringue Crafting: Whip egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy, gradually introducing sugar to create glossy, stiff peaks that stand confidently.
8. Meringue Application: Spread or pipe the meringue across the chilled cheesecake, sculpting dramatic peaks and valleys with artistic flair.
9. Final Caramelization: Use a kitchen torch or broiler to achieve a golden-brown meringue finish, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
10. Serving and Storage: Slice with a heated knife, serve chilled, and store any remaining portions in the refrigerator to maintain the cheesecake’s impeccable texture.

Notes

Prevent Cracking Catastrophe: Slow and steady cooling prevents unsightly cracks, so never rush the chilling process by removing the cheesecake from the oven immediately after baking.

Raspberry Swirl Technique: Create beautiful marbling by gently dragging a skewer through the raspberry sauce, avoiding overmixing to maintain distinct color patterns and prevent muddying the cheesecake’s appearance.

Water Bath Wisdom: Ensure the water bath covers exactly halfway up the springform pan’s sides to provide even, gentle heat distribution and protect the delicate cheesecake from direct, harsh oven temperatures.

Meringue Magic: Whip egg whites at room temperature for maximum volume, and add sugar gradually to create stable, glossy peaks that will torch beautifully without weeping or deflating.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg