Delicious Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe
This recipe delivers a perfect balance of creamy richness, bright citrus, and sweet berry goodness. Get ready for rave reviews!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup blueberry jam
Instructions
Crafting the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Combine 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs with ½ cup of melted unsalted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely.
Whipping Up the Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat 3 (8 ounce) packages of softened cream cheese until wonderfully smooth. Gradually add 1 cup of granulated sugar, mixing until everything is well combined. Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed. Next, stir in ¼ cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and luscious.
Folding in the Blueberries:
- Gently fold 1 cup of fresh blueberries into the cheesecake batter, distributing them evenly.
The Bake:
- Pour the smooth filling into your cooled crust. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center still has a slight wiggle. Turn off the oven and prop the door slightly ajar. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for an hour – this helps prevent cracks!
The Chill Factor:
- Once cooled, cover the cheesecake and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully and the cheesecake to fully set.
Berry Beautiful Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup of blueberry jam with a tiny splash of water over medium heat. Stir until it's warm and smooth. Let it cool slightly before drizzling it over your chilled cheesecake.
Time to Serve!
- Carefully release the cheesecake from the springform pan. Slice and serve each piece with a generous drizzle of that gorgeous blueberry sauce. For an extra touch of freshness, garnish with a few extra fresh blueberries and a sprinkle of lemon zest.