This lemon blueberry cheesecake has a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich and creamy lemon filling with fresh blueberries baked right in, and a glossy homemade blueberry sauce on top. It's the kind of dessert that looks like it took all day and tastes even better than it looks.
32ouncescream cheeseroom temperature (four 8-ounce blocks)
1 ½cupsgranulated sugar
4large eggsroom temperature
½cupsour creamroom temperature
¼cupheavy creamroom temperature
1 ½teaspoonsfresh lemon zest
2tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
1 ½teaspoonsvanilla extract
1 ½cupsfresh blueberries
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
To Make the Blueberry Sauce
3cupsfresh blueberries
⅓cupgranulated sugar
⅓cupwater
2tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1 ½tablespoonscornstarch
2tablespoonswaterfor slurry
Instructions
Make the Crust
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place your springform pan in the center of two large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil and pull the foil up tightly around the outside of the pan, sealing it completely. Lightly spray the inside of the pan with baker's spray and set aside.
Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl and stir until the mixture looks like wet sand and holds together when you pinch it. If it feels too dry, add more melted butter one tablespoon at a time. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom and about three quarters of the way up the sides.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Lower the oven temperature to 325°F and start bringing 6 cups of water to a boil for the water bath.
Make the Filling
Add the softened cream cheese and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-low speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the paddle attachment as needed.
With the mixer still on low, add the eggs one at a time, waiting until each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
Add the sour cream, heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and mix on low until the batter is smooth and well combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer and give the batter a final stir by hand to make sure everything is evenly mixed.
In a small bowl, toss the blueberries with the flour until lightly coated. Gently fold the coated blueberries into the batter, being careful not to break them. Pour the batter into the cooled crust and smooth the top into an even layer.
Bake the Cheesecake
Set the springform pan inside a large roasting pan and place it on the center rack of the oven. Carefully pour the boiling water into the roasting pan until it comes about 1 inch up the side of the springform pan, using between 4 and 6 cups depending on the size of your pan.
Bake for 1 hour and 20 to 30 minutes. The cheesecake is ready when the edges are just set and the center still has a gentle jiggle when you carefully move the pan.
Turn off the oven and prop the door open about an inch using the handle of a wooden spoon. Leave the cheesecake to cool undisturbed in the oven for 1 hour.
Remove the roasting pan from the oven and lift the springform pan out. Carefully remove the foil and allow the cheesecake to finish cooling on the counter for 1 hour. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Make the Blueberry Sauce
While the cheesecake is baking, add the blueberries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and vanilla to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently as the mixture warms, allowing the sugar to dissolve and the blueberries to soften. Take care not to break the blueberries as you stir.
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch together with the remaining 2 tablespoons of water until no lumps remain. Once the blueberry mixture reaches a steady simmer, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming. Allow to cool, then refrigerate until ready to use.
To Serve
Once the cheesecake has chilled completely, spoon the blueberry sauce over the top, leaving a half inch to one inch border around the edge. Slice and enjoy.
Notes
Room Temperature Ingredients: Cold cream cheese is the number one cause of lumpy cheesecake batter. Pull your cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, and heavy cream out of the fridge at least an hour before you start.
Scraping the Bowl: Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle attachment often. Unmixed cream cheese hiding at the bottom of the bowl will show up as lumps in your finished cheesecake.
The Crust: The mixture should hold together when you press it between your fingers. If it feels too crumbly, add more melted butter one tablespoon at a time, up to 8 tablespoons total.
Preventing Cracks: Avoid overbaking and cool the cheesecake slowly. The water bath and the cracked-oven-door cooling method work together to protect against cracking. Do not rush either step.
Knowing When It Is Done: The cheesecake is ready when the edges are set but the center still has a gentle jiggle. It will look slightly underdone when you pull it out, which is exactly right.
Rotating the Pan: If your oven runs hot in spots, rotate the cheesecake halfway through baking to help it cook evenly.
Topping: Spoon the blueberry sauce over the top just before serving and leave a small border around the edge to keep the sauce from dripping down the sides.
Make Ahead: The blueberry sauce can be made up to five days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before using.
Skipping the Water BathIf you prefer not to use a water bath, place the springform pan directly on the center rack without the roasting pan or foil. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour and 20 to 30 minutes, watching for the same signs of doneness. The slow oven cooling step becomes especially important without the water bath, so make sure you do not skip it. Be aware that cheesecakes baked without a water bath are more prone to cracking and may have a slightly different texture than those baked with one.