My Lemon Cheesecake is as delicious as the memories that helped create it.
I remember the first time I had mascarpone, Mama Jeanette had made a cheesecake for dessert, it was a blend of ricotta and mascarpone, a different type of cheesecake than I had been used to and my introduction to that wonderful cheese. I kept calling it mars-capone, and Mama Jeanette would laugh and say “Sonny boy, just because the moon is made of green cheese don’t think that Mars is made of mascarpone “, she would laugh and tell me what a silly boy I was. So many things remind me of the days I spent under Mama Jeanette’s tutelage and so many foods take me back to those times. Food can trigger so many memories, just like a song, it can magically transport you to another place and time.
I’ve found many uses for that creamy version of Italian cream cheese that Mama Jeanette shared with me, but cheesecake has got to be my favorite way to showcase that glorious cheese.
My wife loves cheesecake, but after two pieces she’ll leave the rest for me…..sigh, thank goodness for neighbors! I do enjoy a good cheesecake and although I do like ricotta cheesecakes, my favorite will always be New York style. Of course, I did take some liberties with the ingredients in my version using half mascarpone instead of all cream cheese.
I like a simple cheesecake, without too many additions, but I’ve been known to get a little adventurous with my ingredients depending upon what I have on hand. Thankfully I still have a good supply of Meyer Lemons, and you know what my philosophy on Meyer Lemons is, “When life gives you Meyer Lemons…..You gotta Bake”
I kept thinking about a sour cream topping for my cheesecake and even had some Lemon Greek Yogurt that would have worked nicely in the topping, but I decided a layer of white chocolate would add just the right touch to my Meyer Lemon Cheesecake. My crust included salted toasted pistachios so when I served my cheesecake, along with the fresh blueberries I added a few of pistachios. What a nice combination of flavors!
If you like lemon, this version of my cheesecake should be on your must-make list, and when you do make it I hope you enjoy it as much as Lisa and I did.
If you enjoyed this recipe you may also like these:
- Authentic Ricotta Cheesecake
- Mascarpone Strawberry Cheesecake
- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars with a toffee crust
- Blood Orange Ricotta Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cheesecake Bars with Pecan Shortbread Crust
Lemon Cheesecake with a White Chocolate Topping
Ingredients
crust
- 1½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup ground pistachios
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 16 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 5 large eggs
Topping
- 8 ounces white chocolate melted
- 4 ounce heavy cream
Instructions
crust
- Place the digestive biscuits in a food processor and pulse to a fine crumb, place in mixing bowl
- Add pistachios to the food processor and pulse to finely ground, add to mixing bowl
- Add melted butter and mix well.
- Press crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of a 10 inch springform pan.
- Bake crust for 10-12 minutes at 325 degrees
- Cool on a wire rack.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cheeses, sugar, lemon juice, zest and vanilla until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, beat on low speed just until combined.
- Pour over crust.
- Wrap filled springform pan with foil around bottom and part way up the sides, then place the pan into a roasting pan big enough to hold it adding water until it comes up halfway on the springform pan.
- Bake at 325° for 60-70 minutes or until center is just set and top begins to brown.
- Remove springform pan from the oven, and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer then refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
Topping
- Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
- In a separate, microwave-safe container, microwave the heavy cream for 20-30 seconds.
- Pour the cream over the white chocolate, making sure that most of the white chocolate is covered. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Stir in a gentle, circular motion until the white chocolate has melted completely and the mixture is smooth.If necessary the mixture can be microwaved for a few seconds more
- Pour white chocolate ganache over cooled cheesecake.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake until chocolate sets up, about 30 minutes.
- Slice Cheesecake with a warm knife and serve with blueberries or fruit of your choice
Nutrition
Spring is finally here and there’s something about lemon that says sunshine to me. I hope it adds a little sunshine to your life today.
See you soon!
Aitch
If white chocolate is melted with cream before getting added as top layer, then will it remain soft for cutting?
Chef Dennis Littley
As long as it’s at room temperature when you cut it, you will be okay. It does tend to get hard.
carol
Thank you for your advice on the white chocolate topping. I make a similar cheesecake with white chocolate topping, but the topping is always too hard. Is there a reason you don’t suggest using the heavy cream with the white chocolate?
Shannon T
I made this today for Easter. It was delicious! The marscapone added a rich, silky texture and the cheesecake was light. I think it would be great with regular lemons as well.. When melting the white chocolate, I added 1Tablespoon water and 1tablespoon amaretto. It made the chocolate softer so that it cuts nicely and gives a little almond flavor…it worked out great!
Chef Dennis Littley
Thanks for the feedback Shannon, and I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the cheesecake! Happy Easter!
Jackie
Hi Chef Dennis
I’ve never heard of digestive biscuits, can I use lorna doons crused cookies for the crust.
Chef Dennis
hi Jackie, you can use any type of cookie, a digestive is like a graham cracker for adults.
Laurel y Menta
sorry for my english, a recipe very rich and beautiful photos
kisses
Chef Dennis
thank you!
Ruth Cataldo
This looks incredible! I have been wanting the perfect cheesecake recipe to try out as my husband and I LOVE cheesecake. My MIL makes the best cheesecake ever, but I am determined to make one at least as good, and this maybe it! Even better, my lactose intolerant, allergic to dark and milk chocolate, husband can eat this as he can eat white chocolate and cheese!
Chef Dennis
Thanks Ruth, It is a very good cheesecake, the only problem I had was with the white chocolate topping, after being refrigerated it got too hard to cut, so keep that in mind if you do make it.
Donalyn
That looks heavenly Dennis – lemony cheesecake is the best!
Chef Dennis
thank you Donalyn, it was too good!!
Lora
I on the New York Style Cheesecake team as well. This recipe looks divine. I love the pistachios in the crust. Genius.
Chef Dennis
Thanks Lora, the pistachios seemed to be calling out to me, and its nice to not have the same old base all the time on cheesecakes
RavieNomNoms
Oh how I love cheesecake and I have always though that cheesecake that has lemon in it is the absolute best. It adds such a nice freshness!
Chef Dennis
thanks Raven! lemon does seem to do so much for cheesecakes, and it seemed like the perfect way to celebrate spring!
Rumana
Wow!!! That looks so gorgeous and yummy:)
Chef Dennis
Thank you, it really was so creamy and delightful!
Kim Bultman | a little lunch
Dennis, I loved the Mama Jeanette quote you shared about “Mars-capone.” Too funny! I pronounced it like a Martian, too, until a few years ago. 🙂
Chef Dennis
I still spell it like I say it, but after getting notes from some of my Italian friends about my misspelling, I keep rechecking to make sure I spell it right.
Vanessa
brilliant idea in making cheesecakes.. thanks chef.. 🙂
Chef Dennis
Thanks Vanessa, it really came out well
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen
Oh this will be great for Easter! I always make some kind of cheesecake for the family dessert. And with Meyer lemons – my sons will flip! Thanks for sharing, Chef Dennis! Have a great Easter holiday!
Chef Dennis
it really was a nice alternative to over sweetened cheesecakes Betty Ann, and the mascarpone made it even creamier!
M Luisa
Looks amazing!! I like the match lemon+mascarpone, is one of my favourites for cheesecake. I need to try the chocolate topping!
Chef Dennis
Thank you, it was such a delicious combination, creamy and lemony…yummm
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time
I could hug you. Everything about this says it was made for me (a girl can dream, right?). I love New York-style cheesecake. I love white chocolate and I love citrus. I love my cheesecake without a lot of frills and adornments. This is perfect. It’s beautiful. I’ll be right over.
Chef Dennis
I wish we were close enough, I would have gladly shared my cheesecake with you! I’ll take you up on that hug when we finally do get to meet in person!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Meyer lemons and mascarpone sound like a perfect match for cheesecake!
Chef Dennis
Thank you Laura, they did go so well together!
Julia
This combination of flavors is amazing!!! Love it!
Chef Dennis
Thanks Julia, happy to hear you like my cheesecake!
Tara @ TheButterDish
Oh wow Chef! This is incredible! Mr.SweetButter would swoon over this, which would make baking this all the more worth it to see.
Chef Dennis
It was a beautiful cheesecake, thanks Tara! Sometimes simplicity is best, and that light layer of chocolate was just enough to dress it up!
Jen @JuanitasCocina
You don’t have to convince me…this just went on my must-make list!
Also, I’ve been saying mascarpone incorrectly, apparently.
Chef Dennis
Hi Jen-
I still do say it wrong, and it’s an effort to even spell it correctly, old habits die hard….sigh
You’re going to love this cheesecake!
Brian @ A Thought For Food
Do you have any idea what cheesecake does to me? It makes me go bonkers… in the best possible way. A slice and I’m in heaven. This looks absolutely marvelous, my friend.
Chef Dennis
Thanks Brian! Cheesecake is a little slice of heaven, and the Meyer Lemon added such a nice flavor.
Luz
I have a child who is allergic to nuts. Are pistachios considered nuts? If so, can I just do the crust with butter without the nuts?
Chef Dennis Littley
hi Luz, yes they are nuts and should be avoided if allergic. You can of course leave the nuts out of the crust that certainly won’t affect the taste of the cheesecake