Lemon Curd Cheesecake with Shortbread Crust

Rich and creamy lemon cheesecake topped with homemade lemon curd and vanilla whipped cream is the best cheesecake for lemon lovers! Recipe makes one 9-inch cheesecake.

This lemon curd cheesecake is an irresistible combination of tart lemon curd, creamy vanilla cheesecake, and buttery shortbread crust.

Best of all, there’s no foil and no water bath required to make a perfectly crack-free cheesecake.

Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, you’ll love this simple lemon cheesecake for any occasion.

Craving more cheesecake? Find more inspiration in my collection of easy cheesecake recipes!

Cheesecake Essentials

Room Temperature Ingredients – Room temperature filling ingredients are absolutely essential for a smooth and creamy cheesecake. Cream cheese should be softened, and sour cream and eggs should be at room temperature.

How to Soften Cream Cheese – To soften cream cheese quickly, cut the blocks of cream cheese into cubes and place on a microwave-safe plate. Heat cream cheese in the microwave in 8-second bursts until softened.

How to Bring Eggs to Room Temperature – Fill a small bowl or ramekin with warm (not hot) water. Place eggs (still in their shells) in the bowl and let stand for 10 minutes until eggs have reached room temperature.

Careful Mixing – Mix the filling on the lowest speed (stir) of a stand mixer, just until combined. To avoid overmixing, scrape down the bowl frequently with a rubber spatula.

Overmixed cheesecake batter contains more air, which leads to air bubbles. Once baked, the air bubbles will burst as the cheesecake cools and cause the cheesecake to crack.

Lemon Topping for Cheesecake

Bright and tangy homemade lemon curd makes the most delicious cheesecake topping. To make the curd:

1. Combine fresh lemon zest and juice in a small saucepan with sugar, a pinch of salt, and two large eggs. Cook over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened.
2. Gradually whisk in unsalted butter, a few pieces at a time, until melted. Continue cooking until curd is smooth and thickened, and coats the back of a spoon.
3. Strain curd through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. Press a piece of plastic directly on the surface, and chill for at least 1 hour before using. Lemon curd can be made 1-2 days ahead and chilled until ready to use.

How to Make Lemon Cheesecake

Springform Pan – Use a 9-inch springform pan. To prepare the pan, brush the bottom and sides of the pan evenly with softened butter. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper.

Shortbread Cookie Crust – To make the crust, use a food processor to pulse shortbread cookies into crumbs. Whisk together shortbread cookie crumbs, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Add melted butter and mix in until completely incorporated.

Press shortbread crust firmly across bottom and 1/2-inch up sides of prepared springform pan. Pack the crust tightly with the bottom of a measuring cup.

Par-Bake Crust – Bake crust at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until light golden and set. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.

Filling – Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, arrowroot starch, and salt on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing in each egg on low speed just until combined, about 10 seconds. Scrape down the bowl after each egg. Pour filling over cooled crust and smooth top with an offset spatula.

Bake – Bake cheesecake at 300°F for 60 to 65 minutes, until edges are set, the center is still slightly wobbly, and the cheesecake is slightly puffed.

Cool Cheesecake – When the cheesecake is finished baking, immediately turn off the oven, prop the oven door with a wooden spoon, and cool the cheesecake inside the oven for 75 minutes.

After 75 minutes, remove springform pan from the oven and place on a wire rack. Carefully run a thin metal spatula around the edge of the cheesecake to make sure it’s not sticking to the sides of the springform pan. Cool cheesecake for 1 hour on the rack.

Chill Cheesecake – Move cheesecake to the refrigerator (uncovered to prevent condensation from forming) and chill overnight.

Assemble Cheesecake – Top the cheesecake with lemon curd, smoothing with an offset spatula. Pipe vanilla whipped cream around the edge and decorate with sliced lemons.

Make Ahead Tips

The homemade lemon curd can be made 2-3 days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use. The cheesecake can be baked ahead, fully cooled, and chilled for up to 2 days before serving.

How to Freeze Cheesecake

This cheesecake freezes perfectly. Once baked, cooled and completely chilled, wrap the cheesecake in a layer of plastic wrap. Once wrapped in plastic, wrap cheesecake again in foil, securing the edges tightly. Freeze for up to 1 month for the best texture.

The day before you plan to serve, move the cheesecake from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw overnight, still wrapped to prevent condensation. Once thawed, top with lemon curd and vanilla whipped cream before serving.

More delicious homemade cheesecake recipes:

• Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
• Salted Caramel Cheesecake
• Blackberry Almond Cheesecake

Did you try this Lemon Cheesecake Recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment and rating below!

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