5 from 3 votes

Lemon Curd Cheesecake

www.craftsy.com/ext/ZoFranois_10284_H

I have a bunch of classes on Craftsy, including “Show-Stopping Cheesecakes!” To find any of my classes on the platform, just type Zoe Francois in to the search bar and you will find all three of my courses.

I’ve done an “Artisan Bread in Minutes” baking class based on the Master recipe from my book The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day and I created an intensive Baking and Pastry class for beginners, which will help you feel confident with all of your family recipes or those beautiful treats you see on Pinterest. I hope I will see you in one, or all of my Craftsy classes.

Show-Stopping Cheesecake with Zoë François | Craftsy(5 of 16)

In the Craftsy studio I created a Show-Stopping Cheesecakes class. It is more than just recipes (although there are plenty of those too), it is a technique class that will give you all the skills to bake any kind of cheesecake you desire.

I cover different flavors, baking methods, pan shapes and lots of toppings and sauces. Here are just a few of the cakes I make in the video class, but I look forward to hearing what you’d come up with.

Show-Stopping Cheesecake with Zoë François | Craftsy(11 of 16)

A Nutella striped cheesecake that I then top with candied hazelnuts. I’ll show you how to create the stripes and how to make the candied garnish.

Show-Stopping Cheesecake with Zoë François | Craftsy(13 of 16)

Cheesecakes can be many shapes, including this chocolate bombe. We will also enrobe it in glossy ganache and create chocolate shavings to top it all off.

Show-Stopping Cheesecake with Zoë François | Craftsy(14 of 16)

These bars are made of a bourbon flavored cheesecake and studded with blackberries and topped with sour cream.

Show-Stopping Cheesecake with Zoë François | Craftsy(15 of 16)

This terrine shaped cheesecake is made of layers of peanut butter and raspberry preserves.

Show-Stopping Cheesecake with Zoë François | Craftsy(16 of 16)

I’ll show you how to create many flavors from just a few base recipes and how to layer the flavors together.

In this post I’ve made a tangy lemon curd to add it to any cheesecake from my class or you can just spread it on your favorite toast or even a pound cake.

How to Make Lemon Curd

See how to make lemon curd below, and get the full recipe for the Lemon Curd Cheesecake at the bottom of this post!

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (13 of 13)

Lemon curd is basically a custard, but instead of cream, we will use lemon juice. It is thickened with egg yolks and butter and has a velvety smooth texture and a sweet, but tangy flavor. I used Meyer lemons, since they are available right now and have a more subtle, almost perfumed flavor, just a little softer flavor than a traditional lemon.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (12 of 13)

Whisk together lemon juice, sugar, egg yolks, and salt. Add the butter and set over a double boiler.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (11 of 13)

Use a rubber spatula to stir the lemon curd until it starts to thicken. It should coat the spatula and cling to it before you remove it from the heat.

I used the vanilla cheesecake base from my Craftsy class, but added 3 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice and 1 tablespoon zest to it. I baked it in a water bath, so that we’d have a magically smooth texture and no cracking. You will find all my tricks and tips for preventing cracking in the class.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (10 of 13)

After the cheesecake is set, remove it from the oven.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (9 of 13)

Carefully spoon the warm lemon curd over the top of the cheesecake and spread it smooth, if it doesn’t spread on its own.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (8 of 13)

Return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or until the curd is set like like jello. This may take a touch longer if the curd hadn’t been set up enough before going in the oven.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (7 of 13)

Remove from the oven and let cool. Follow all my tips for finishing the cheesecake and for removing it from the pan.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (5 of 13)

The lemon curd is a lovely addition to the creamy cheesecake and gives it a wonderful look.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (3 of 13)

It is pretty enough to serve as is, but you could also add one of the fruit sauces we make in the class as well.

Lemon Curd Cheesecake | Craftsy (2 of 13)

Lemon Curd Cheesecake

For this recipe I used the vanilla cheesecake base from my Craftsy class. The lemon curd is a lovely addition to the creamy cheesecake and gives it a wonderful look. It is pretty enough to serve as is, but you could also add one of the fruit sauces we make in the class as well.
5 from 3 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Cheesecake

Ingredients

Lemon Curd

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice*
  • 1 cup sugar use only 3/4 cup if you are making this with Meyer lemon, passion fruit or grapefruit, since they are not quite as sour as lemon or lime
  • 6 egg yolks
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 stick 4 ounces or 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

Vanilla Cheesecake

  • desired crust
  • 1 1/2 lbs cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract make your own, or half a scraped vanilla bean
  • pinch salt
  • zest of 1/2 lemon optional
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Vanilla Cheesecake

  • Make your desired crust and allow to cool. I used an 8-inch x 3-inch pan, but a 9-inch would work. Just watch it more closely in the oven because a thinner cheesecake won't take as long to bake.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F.
  • In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed with the paddle attachment for about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and mix for another 30 seconds. Add the sugar and corn starch and mix for about 1 minute. Add the sour cream. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides after each. Add the vanilla, lemon juice and salt. Mix for 30 seconds.
  • Pour the cheesecake mixture onto the cooled crust. Place the cheesecake in the oven on a cookie sheet that has about a 1/4-inch hot water in it. This will help the cheesecake bake evenly and have a silky texture. Bake for about an hour or until it is just set in the middle. Meanwhile, make the lemon curd.

Lemon Curd

  • Whisk together the lemon juice, sugar, yolks, and salt. Add the butter and set over a double boiler.
  • Use a rubber spatula to stir the lemon curd until it starts to thicken. It should coat the spatula and cling to it before you remove it from the heat.

Assemble

  • After the cheesecake is set, remove it from the oven. Carefully spoon the warm lemon curd over the top of the cheesecake and spread it smooth, if it doesn’t spread on its own.
  • Return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or until the curd is set like like jello. This may take a touch longer if the curd hadn’t been set up enough before going in the oven.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool.

Notes

*This is also lovely with lime, passion fruit, or grapefruit juice
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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17 thoughts to “Lemon Curd Cheesecake”

  1. i fell in love with your grapefruit pound cake a while back. along with granola and jerky, i often break it out to go on mountain day hikes or camping trips. a few days ago, i was munching on a too big of a piece whilst looking at nature in its finest glory when it dawned on me that i have not had grapefruit curd for a while. this led me to have curd on the brain for most of the drive back to my apartment. this afternoon i see this share from you. while i do have a few curd cheesecake combos pinned, i have yet to dive in. i am now thinking my tummy’s cravings were waiting for just the right time and for your guiding hand to get on with it. yet another treat i must make asap. thank you, zoe!!!

    1. Hi Eunice,

      I used the cheesecake from my Craftsy class, so you can join the class and get a bunch of recipes there. Or you can use some of the other recipes I’ve used here on the site. If you’d like to join the class you can find more info here: http://www.craftsy.com/ext/ZoFranois_10284_H

      And here is a variety of cheesecakes I’ve made on the site: http://zoebakes.com/2014/04/14/easter-cheesecake/ or http://zoebakes.com/2014/02/10/cherry-cheesecake/

      Thanks, Zoë

  2. Hi Zoe, i’m so glad to come across this lemon curd recipe. Will whip up one batch this weekend. It looks so dreamy-licious! Thanks again Zoe. Have a great day and a great weekend ahead.

  3. 5 stars
    Zoe, Zoe, Zoe!!!!
    Just made this today, it’s fabulous! Can’t wait to make for company and what a beautiful Easter dessert.
    I just started watching you on Magnolia, it’s been great getting to know you!
    I used Meyer lemons. I was really scared pouring the lemon curd on top, it turned out perfect! The cheesecake itself is so creamy.
    Thank you so much, I will keep this recipe forever❣️❣️

    1. Hi Cassandra, Zoë uses an 8-inch by 3-inch pan, but a 9-inch would work, it will just be a thinner cheesecake and won’t take as long in the oven. Enjoy!

  4. The cheesecake directions are confusing. In step 4 you state to put the cheesecake in the refrigerator for 3 hours but the lemon curd needs to be added but that step appears to be under the dry heat method.
    Assume- I make cheese cake, add lemon curd and cook for 20 min using the traditional baking method. Won’t burn the bottom of the crust?

    1. Hi Anita, we removed the “dry heat” method from the recipe as that seemed to throw off the method. We’ve also made some clarifications to the steps Hopefully this helps!

  5. I wanted to ask the same question as Nancy, it mentions the corn starch (2) tblsp but when do we add? Unfortunately I noticed that after I started using the mixer, so hopefully put it in at the right time?

    1. Hi Adriana! Thanks for bringing this up. It can go in with the sugar. I have updated the recipe to reflect this. Happy baking!

  6. 5 stars
    This is a lovely recipe & one I go back to repeatedly. A few years ago I had one of those ah ha! moments, when I realized that I could use my 14″ stainless braiser instead of my giant roasting pan. It gives enough clearance to protect the baking cheesecake but is a darned sight lighter to life and less likely to spill.

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