Lemon Raspberry Meringue Cheesecake Recipe Dreamiest Citrus Fusion

Crafting a lemon raspberry meringue cheesecake brings pure culinary magic to your dessert table.

Sweet dreams become delectable reality with this incredible treat.

Layers of tangy citrus and delicate berries dance across creamy cheese foundations.

Rich textures contrast beautifully in each decadent bite.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this dessert looks like something from a professional pastry kitchen.

Guests will marvel at the stunning presentation and complex flavor profile.

You cannot resist the temptation of this magnificent creation that blends zesty brightness with smooth, luxurious cream cheese.

Prepare to experience dessert perfection that will become your new signature showstopper.

Why Lemon Raspberry Meringue Cheesecake Steals the Show

• Impress guests with a stunning dessert that looks professionally crafted yet surprisingly simple to make, perfect for special occasions or dinner parties.
• Achieves gourmet results with moderate skill level, allowing intermediate home bakers to create a show-stopping dessert without advanced pastry training.
• Combines tangy lemon, sweet raspberries, and creamy cheesecake in a harmonious blend that tantalizes multiple taste buds with each decadent bite.
• Prepare the entire dessert in advance, chilling overnight, which reduces day-of stress and allows you to focus on entertaining or enjoying your meal.

Ingredients for This Tart, Sweet, and Creamy Dessert

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a classic sweet and crunchy base for the cheesecake, rich in flavor and texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust, helping it bind together.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter acts as a binding agent, creating a cohesive and firm crust.

• Cream Cheese: The primary creamy and tangy base for the cheesecake, providing a rich and smooth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake filling and balances the tanginess of cream cheese.
• Large Eggs: Provide structure and help set the cheesecake, creating a smooth and stable filling.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tanginess to the cheesecake.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances the richness and creates a silky smooth texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize the cheesecake and prevent cracking.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Adds bright, citrusy flavor and enhances the overall taste profile.

• Fresh Raspberries, Granulated Sugar, Lemon Juice: Create a vibrant and tangy raspberry sauce for swirling.
• Egg Whites, Cream of Tartar: Main components for creating a light and fluffy meringue topping.

How to Layer and Torch This Stunning Cheesecake

Step 1: Craft the Crumbly Base

Crank oven to 325F. Grease a springform pan and line bottom with parchment paper.

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Sugar
• Melted butter

Mix ingredients until well combined. Press firmly into pan bottom. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely.

Step 2: Create Raspberry Sauce

• Raspberries
• Sugar
• Lemon juice

Cook over medium heat until berries break down and sauce thickens. Strain to remove seeds. Let cool.

Step 3: Whip Creamy Cheesecake Filling

• Sour cream
• Heavy cream
• Flour
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Mix gently to prevent overmixing.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

Pour cheesecake mixture over cooled crust. Dollop raspberry sauce across surface. Swirl with skewer for marbled effect.

Step 5: Bake With Water Bath

Place springform pan in larger roasting pan. Fill roasting pan with hot water halfway up sides. Bake 55-65 minutes until edges set and center slightly jiggly.

Step 6: Cool Slowly

Turn off oven. Leave cheesecake inside with door cracked for one hour. Remove and cool completely. Refrigerate 4+ hours.

Step 7: Whisk Fluffy Meringue

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add sugar. Whip until glossy peaks form.

Step 8: Crown With Meringue

Spread meringue over chilled cheesecake. Create dramatic peaks with spatula.

Step 9: Toast Meringue

Use kitchen torch or broiler to lightly brown meringue peaks. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 10: Slice and Enjoy

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers.

Tips for Perfect Meringue Peaks and Silky Filling

• Prevent Cheesecake Cracking: Avoid overmixing the batter and bake in a water bath to ensure a smooth, crack-free surface. The gentle, indirect heat helps the cheesecake cook evenly and prevents sudden temperature changes.
• Maximize Raspberry Flavor: Strain the raspberry sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds while preserving the intense, bright fruit flavor. This technique ensures a silky-smooth swirl without compromising taste.
• Perfect Meringue Technique: Ensure your mixing bowl and beaters are completely grease-free before whipping egg whites. Any trace of fat can prevent the whites from reaching their full, fluffy potential.
• Chill for Best Texture: Allow the cheesecake to cool slowly and chill thoroughly for at least 4 hours. This resting period helps the flavors meld and gives the cheesecake its signature creamy, dense consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire cheesecake a day in advance to save time and let the flavors develop. The dessert actually tastes better after spending a night in the refrigerator.

How to Store Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Just Right

• Store cheesecake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Wrap the cheesecake securely in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid overheating to maintain the creamy texture and prevent the meringue from becoming rubbery.
• Let refrigerated cheesecake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor.

Best Drinks and Treats to Pair with This Dessert

• Craft a zesty vodka-based cocktail with fresh lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and a splash of raspberry syrup to complement the cheesecake's bright citrus and fruity notes.
• Select a crisp, light rosé with subtle berry undertones that will enhance the raspberry swirl and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy cheesecake.
• Brew a delicate Earl Grey tea with a hint of lavender, which will beautifully echo the cake's floral and citrus elements while cleansing the palate between bites.
• Offer a small scoop of homemade raspberry or lemon sorbet as a palate-cleansing side that mirrors the dessert's fruity flavors and provides a cool, light finish.

Cheesecake Flavor Variations You’ll Want to Try

• Gluten-Free Berry Bliss: Replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly option that maintains the rich, buttery base.
• Vegan Raspberry Dream: Swap cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese, use coconut cream instead of dairy, and create aquafaba meringue using chickpea liquid for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Citrus Swirl: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce overall sugar content, and use fresh berries to maintain natural sweetness while keeping the dessert lighter.
• Keto Lemon Raspberry Cloud: Use an almond flour and butter crust, replace sugar with erythritol, and incorporate mascarpone cheese for a low-carb version that keeps the decadent texture.

Heavenly Lemon Raspberry Meringue Cheesecake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Silky lemon raspberry meringue cheesecake delivers a perfect harmony of tangy and sweet flavors. Creamy layers and crisp meringue topping create an irresistible dessert you’ll savor with pure delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 0.25 cups (60 milliliters) granulated sugar
• 0.5 cups (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 0.75 cups (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 0.33 cups (80 milliliters) sour cream
• 0.25 cups (60 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 0.33 cups (80 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon

Topping and Swirl Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 0.5 cups (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 0.25 teaspoons cream of tartar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a buttery foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter, pressing firmly into a parchment-lined springform pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes at 325F, allowing it to cool and set.
2. Create a vibrant raspberry sauce by simmering fresh raspberries with sugar and lemon juice until the mixture thickens and berries break down. Strain through a fine sieve to remove seeds, then allow to cool completely.
3. Whip cream cheese and sugar until silky smooth, incorporating eggs one by one to maintain a luxurious texture. Gently fold in sour cream, heavy cream, flour, lemon juice, and zest, ensuring minimal mixing to preserve the delicate consistency.
4. Carefully pour the creamy cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, artfully dotting the surface with raspberry sauce. Use a skewer to create elegant marbled swirls throughout the filling.
5. Establish a water bath by placing the springform pan in a larger roasting pan filled with hot water, reaching halfway up the sides. Bake for 55-65 minutes until the edges stabilize and the center retains a gentle wobble.
6. After baking, leave the cheesecake in the oven with the door slightly open for one hour, allowing it to cool gradually and prevent cracking. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
7. Whip egg whites and cream of tartar to a frothy consistency, gradually introducing sugar until the meringue forms glossy, stiff peaks that stand tall and proud.
8. Generously spread or pipe the meringue across the chilled cheesecake, sculpting dramatic peaks and valleys with a spatula.
9. Caramelize the meringue using a kitchen torch or carefully broil for 1-2 minutes, watching intently to achieve a golden-brown finish without burning.
10. Slice the cheesecake with a heated knife and serve chilled, storing any remaining portions in the refrigerator to maintain its pristine texture.

Notes

• Prevent Crust Crumbling by pressing the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the pan, ensuring a solid base that holds together when sliced.
• Reduce Raspberry Seeds by thoroughly straining the raspberry sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, creating a smoother, more elegant swirl effect.
• Avoid Cheesecake Cracks by using room temperature ingredients, mixing gently, and employing the water bath technique to provide consistent, gentle heat.
• Customize Dietary Needs by substituting graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives, using low-fat cream cheese, or creating a dairy-free version with coconut-based ingredients.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg