Description
A creamy cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust, swirled with tart raspberry and fresh lemon for a vibrant, refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese (3 packages), softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
Raspberry Swirl:
- ½ cup raspberry preserves (or raspberry sauce)
- 1 cup fresh raspberries (optional)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated. Stir in sour cream.
- Pour filling over the crust and smooth the top.
- To make raspberry swirl: Combine raspberry preserves, ¼ cup sugar, cornstarch, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Drop spoonfuls of raspberry sauce over the cheesecake and swirl gently using a knife or skewer.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly.
- Turn off oven and crack door. Let cheesecake cool in oven for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and lemon slices before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter to avoid cracks.
- Chill overnight for best texture and clean slicing.
- Use a water bath if preferred, to reduce cracking further.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: undefined
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: undefined
