kitchenetteblog | Simple, Delicious Recipes for Everyday Cooks

Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe

Desserts

Tangy lemon, juicy blueberries, and velvety cream cheese all swirled into one glorious dessert—this lemon blueberry cheesecake is your new buttery-crust, citrus-scented obsession. It’s got a bright, creamy filling with a hint of zest and a ripple of blueberries that burst as they bake (yes, it smells amazing). The topping? Saucy, sweet-tart perfection.

Imagine this chilled beauty sitting proudly on your kitchen table, catching the light and practically whispering, “Hey, got a fork?” You don’t need a big reason to make it—just a craving for something sunny and cozy. The layers are soft and lush, the kind that melt right into your happy place. And that crust? Oh, it snaps.

Why You’ll Love this Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

This one doesn’t need a big song and dance—it’s cheesecake, but with a twang of lemon and sweet bursts of blueberry. Classic but not boring.

Balanced sweetness and zing: The lemon cuts the richness in the best way, like sunshine through whipped cream clouds.
Velvety smooth filling: It’s rich, sure, but spoon-soft and silky enough that it feels luxurious, not heavy.
Bright blueberry topping: You get warm, jammy berries with pops of fresh ones stirred in at the end. The contrast is dreamy.
A crust worth swooning over: Buttery, just crumbly enough, and slightly sweet… it basically hugs the filling.
Perfect for make-ahead moments: You have to chill it anyway, so it’s secretly one of the easiest “fancy” desserts.
That texture… oh honey: Tangy, creamy, airy, dense—all at once—like if satin became a dessert.

Ingredient Notes

Let’s look inside each bowl, shall we? The lineup plays well together—you just need to know why each piece matters.

Graham cracker crumbs: The backbone of the crust, with toasty, honeyed notes. Crushing them yourself adds some nice variety in texture.
Unsalted butter: Gives the crust its structure and snug fit. Salted could work, but mind the sugar balance.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust and the filling without overpowering the star flavors.
Cream cheese (full-fat, please): The heart of our cheesecake. Room temp is non-negotiable unless you enjoy lumps (no judgment).
Flour: Adds a bit of structure to the filling so it doesn’t go full goo.
Sour cream: Adds tang, rounds out the richness, and smooths everything out to near-fluffy perfection.
Lemon juice & zest: The juice brings the twang, the zest brings the fragrance. Don’t skip either unless you want sadness.
Vanilla extract: The quiet hero that bridges tangy citrus and creamy dairy magic.
Eggs + yolks: Two yolks give richness without overdoing the egginess. Think custard meets cloud.
Blueberries (fresh): Tossed in a bit of flour before folding in—helps keep ‘em from sinking like tasty little anchors.

How To Make This Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

If you’ve got a couple mixing bowls, a springform pan, and a spoon you trust with your life, you’re halfway there. Let’s break it down.

Prep the oven and pan: Preheat to 350°F and line your springform pan with parchment. Wrap the bottom sides in double foil. Trust me, you do not want water creeping in during the bake.
Make the crust: Stir together the graham crumbs, butter, and sugar till it looks like wet sand you’d be thrilled to lay on. Press it firmly into the pan, smoothing up the sides a bit. Bake 8–10 minutes, or until it smells like heaven. Cool it, then turn your oven to 300°F.
Whip the filling: In a big bowl, cream the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth (scrape as you go; that bottom corner hides things). Add flour, then beat again just briefly.
Add the good stuff: On low speed now, mix in the sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Then come the eggs—one at a time—followed by the yolks. Don’t overmix after adding the eggs or the batter might puff weirdly.
Fold in berries: Gently stir in your flour-coated blueberries. This part feels sacred. Don’t mash ‘em, just let them roll in and tuck themselves into the swirl.
Set up the water bath: Pour the batter into the crust, then put the springform into a big roasting pan. Add boiling water till it comes about halfway up the springform’s sides. It’s the cheesecake sauna. Keeps things gentle.
Bake and rest: Bake 1 hour. Turn the oven off and crack the door. Let it hang out another hour. Then bring it out to cool completely on a rack. Only after all that, wrap and chill it at least 6 hours (overnight predinner panic, be gone).
Make the topping: Simmer 1 cup blueberries with sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and a cornstarch-water slurry (don’t worry, it thickens fast). Once the berries burst, remove it from the heat and stir in the last cup of fresh berries.
Assemble with flair: Unmold the chilled cheesecake, pour that jammy-blue swirly goodness over top, and try not to eat it before the photo.

Storage Options

So, let’s say you’ve got a few slices left. First of all, impressive restraint. Here’s how to keep things lovely and fresh.

In the fridge, you’ll be golden for 4 or even 5 days. Just store slices (or the whole thing) tightly wrapped or in an airtight container. The topping might bleed a bit into the top layer of cheesecake over time, which sounds annoying but honestly tastes amazing. It’s like berry marble art.

Freezing? Absolutely, yes. Pop individual slices on a sheet pan, freeze until firm, then transfer to bags or wrap really well. They’ll hold up for about a month, maybe more. Just thaw in the fridge overnight when you need an emergency dessert (which is a real thing, by the way).

As for reheating… no need. Cheesecake isn’t meant to be warm—unless we’re talking about the microwave pancake variety. Keep this baby chilled, and let each bite melt on your tongue like it’s doing show-and-tell.

Variations and Substitutions

Sometimes you don’t have all the right stuff, or you just feel a little adventurous. Here’s how you can zhuzh things up or work with what’s in your pantry.

Cracker alternatives: Use vanilla wafers or gingersnaps instead of graham crackers. They both bring different vibes—sweet and soft or warm spice, respectively.
Berry swap: Raspberries or blackberries work too. Just strain out the seeds for the topping if the texture bugs you. Or take a look at this white chocolate raspberry cheesecake for another dreamy option.
Frozen berries: In a pinch, go frozen (but thaw and drain first). You may need a touch more cornstarch in the sauce to keep it from going watery.
Cream cheese blend: Feeling fancy? Swap 8 oz of the cream cheese with ricotta for a slightly fluffier texture and a little Italian nod.
Feeling citrusy: Add a splash of orange zest or a bit of grapefruit juice if lemons are hiding from you that day.

What to Serve with Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

This beauty doesn’t need much fuss, but if you want to build an experience around it… here we go.

Hot coffee or cold brew: The richness of the cheesecake craves something roasty. A double espresso or a tall iced latte both do the job, calming the sweetness just right.
Fresh mint or lemon slices: For a little table flair (and to hint at the flavors inside), tuck a few mint sprigs or lemon wedges alongside. Bonus: they smell amazing, too.
Shortbread or lemon cookies: Something light and snappy on the side complements rather than competes. Think of it like cheesecake’s crunchy cousin at the party.
Bubbly things: Whether it’s fizzy water with lemon or a splash of prosecco in a flute, bubbles and cheesecake go weirdly well together. Refreshing meets creamy.
After a savory dinner: Especially one with light, bright flavors, like pan-seared cod and chard. The citrus on citrus moment is kind of poetic, right?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the lemon blueberry cheesecake ahead of time?

Absolutely—making it ahead is kind of the move. In fact, it *needs* at least 6 hours to chill and set, so overnight is ideal. You can bake it the night before, let it chill while you sleep, and top it whenever you’re ready to serve. It actually gets creamier with time, so you win extra texture points by waiting.

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can! Just be sure to thaw the frozen berries and drain off any extra juice first. Otherwise, things can get a bit watery and your swirl might turn more into a tie-dye situation (which honestly isn’t the worst). You might want to up the cornstarch in the topping by a smidge to help it stay thick.

How do I keep the cheesecake from cracking?

The water bath is key here—it bakes the cheesecake gently and evenly. Also, don’t overmix after adding the eggs, and be patient about cooling. That hour sitting in the turned-off oven is a crucial cooldown. Oh, and don’t open the oven door mid-bake unless you’re conducting a breeze test. Keep it shut and cozy in there.

Can I freeze the cheesecake?

Yep, and it actually freezes beautifully. Slice it up, freeze the pieces on a flat pan, then wrap them well and store in bags or containers. When the mood strikes (and it will), just thaw a slice in the fridge overnight. It’s dense enough that freezing won’t mess with the texture. Tastes just as dreamy as the fresh stuff.