Lemon Cheesecake Delight

This lemon cheesecake offers a refreshing twist on a classic dessert, combining the creamy texture of fresh cheese with the zesty flavor of lemons. The base is made with crispy cookies mixed with melted butter, providing a perfect crunchy complement to the smooth filling. The filling itself is a delightful blend of cream cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice, with a hint of sweetness from powdered sugar. Gelatin helps to set the structure, making it easy to slice and serve. The lemon zest added to both the filling and as a garnish provides a pop of color and enhances the citrusy taste. This cake is best chilled overnight, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully. It's a perfect dessert for warm weather, offering a cooling, refreshing experience. Ideal for family gatherings or a sweet finish to a dinner party, this cheesecake is sure to please lemon lovers and cheese enthusiasts alike. Enjoy each bite of this flavorful masterpiece.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 270 g cookies
• 100-150 g butter
• 500 g cream cheese (room temperature)
• 200 ml heavy cream
• 200 g powdered sugar

Spices and Flavorings:

• 2 lemons (zest and juice)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tsp vanilla sugar

Setting Agents:

• 20 g gelatin
• 20 g whipped cream stabilizer

Preparation Time

• Total Time: 720 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Active Prep Time: 30 minutes

Step-by-Step Instruction

1. Prepare the Base: Finely crumble the cookies and mix them with the melted butter. You can use a rolling pin to achieve fine crumbs.
2. Set the Base: Line a cake pan with baking paper. Press the prepared cookie mixture into the pan to form an even layer at the bottom. Chill this in the refrigerator to set.
3. Prepare Lemon Zest: Grate the lemons using a coarse grater; a finer grater can turn the zest into a paste, which is not suitable for decoration.
4. Juice the Lemons: Squeeze the juice from the two lemons into a large bowl.
5. Mix the Filling: Add the cream cheese to the lemon juice and mix, incorporating most of the powdered sugar (reserve 1 tablespoon for later use).
6. Add Flavor: Stir in most of the lemon zest into the cheese mixture and set aside some for garnishing later.
7. Bloom the Gelatin: In a separate bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over cold water and let it bloom.
8. Whip the Cream: In another bowl, beat the heavy cream with vanilla sugar, a pinch of salt, the remaining powdered sugar, and the whipped cream stabilizer until stiff peaks form.
9. Melt the Gelatin: Gently melt the bloomed gelatin over a warm water bath, ensuring it’s fully dissolved.
10. Combine Filling: Fold the whipped cream into the cheese mixture gently to maintain the volume.
11. Incorporate Gelatin: Slowly pour the melted gelatin into the cheese mixture, folding it in carefully without whisking to avoid deflating the mixture.
12. Assemble the Cake: Pour the prepared filling over the chilled cookie base, smoothing it with a spoon for even coverage.
13. Decorate: Garnish with the reserved lemon zest across the top of the cheesecake for an appealing finish.
14. Chill: Transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerator and let it set overnight, allowing the flavors to blend.
15. Serve and Enjoy: Once set, slice and serve the cheesecake cold, enjoying the refreshing lemon flavor combined with creamy cheese.

Tips

• Substitutions: Use digestive biscuits instead of regular cookies for a slightly different texture.
• Flavor Enhancements: Try adding a hint of ginger or mint to the base for an extra layer of flavor.
• Consistency: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for a smoother filling.

Variations

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free cookies for the base.
• Low Sugar: Substitute regular powdered sugar with a sugar alternative for a healthier option.
• Vegan: Swap cream cheese and heavy cream with vegan alternatives, and use agar instead of gelatin.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a side of fresh berries or a drizzle of berry coulis for added sweetness and color.
• Pair with a cup of green tea to balance the richness with a subtle bitterness.

Best Places

• Cheesecake Factory - Renowned for its wide variety of cheesecakes, offering a delightful lemon version. Location: 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
• Eileen's Special Cheesecake - A New York staple that boasts a rich lemon cheesecake. Location: 17 Cleveland Pl, New York, NY, USA.
• The Dessert Kitchen - Known for its creamy and zesty lemon cheesecake. Location: 47 Mody Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
• Lemon Leaf Cafe - Offers a refreshing and tangy lemon-infused cheesecake. Location: 7 Pembroke St, Cork, Ireland.
• Sweets & Treats - Famous for its homemade lemon cheesecake. Location: 23 High St, Oxford, UK.
• Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki - This patisserie combines traditional French techniques in their flavorful lemon cheesecake. Location: 35 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, France.
• Sugarmill - This dessert bar features unique cheesecake variations. Location: 145 Denver St, Denver, CO, USA.
• Chocolat Nha Trang - A hidden gem for cheesecake lovers in Vietnam. Location: 57-61 Tran Phu, Nha Trang, Vietnam.
• Cafeteria Violeta - Known for rich and creamy lemon cheesecake. Location: 142 Calle de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
• La Viña - Although famous for its Basque cheesecake, their lemon versions are not to be missed. Location: 31 Calle Zabaleta, San Sebastián, Spain.