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A slice of marbled lemon blueberry cheesecake is being lifted from the whole cake on a wooden board.
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Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

This New York-style Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake is rich, creamy, and perfectly smooth without the hassle of a water bath. Swirled with luscious blueberry puree and topped with blueberry sauce.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword blueberry cheesecake
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 37 minutes
cooling time 5 hours
Total Time 7 hours 17 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 443kcal

Ingredients

for the crust-

for the blueberry puree-

  • 16 oz blueberries frozen, thawed*, 2 cups
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice fresh, about 1 lemon

for the cheesecake-

  • 24 oz cream cheese softened, three 8 oz packages
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs at room temperature

for the blueberry sauce drizzle-

  • half of the blueberry puree from above
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Place oven racks in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350° F.

for the crust-

  • Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and lining with parchment paper on bottom and sides. Spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray as well, and set aside.
    A lemon blueberry cheesecake awaits in a round cake pan lined with parchment paper, elegantly set on a blue and white geometric patterned ribbon atop a marbled surface.
  • In a food processor, grind graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add granulated sugar and pulse a couple times to combine.
    Hand pouring crushed graham crackers from a yellow bowl into an open food processor on a white countertop, the base for a tangy lemon blueberry cheesecake masterpiece.
  • While pulsating food processor, stream in melted butter until all crumbs are moist.
    Butter is being poured from a cup into a food processor with dry ingredients, setting the stage for a delightful lemon blueberry cheesecake creation.
  • Using the bottom of a cup, press graham cracker crumbs into the bottom and half way up the sides of the springform pan.
    A hand presses down graham cracker crumbs with a glass in a round metal pan, setting the perfect base for a luscious lemon blueberry cheesecake, all on a blue and white patterned cloth.
  • Bake 7 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 325° F.

for the blueberry puree (for swirling inside cheesecake AND for the blueberry sauce drizzle)-

  • Place blueberries, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender to puree.
    On the counter, a blender stands ready with sugar, lemon zest, and berries awaiting transformation. Nearby, a blue patterned cloth and fresh lemons hint at the delightful taste of lemon blueberry cheesecake in the making.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the pureed blueberry mixture. Cook while stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely, about 5–7 minutes.
    A deep red liquid is being poured from a container into a copper pot, filling it partially, as if preparing the base for a lemon blueberry cheesecake creation.
  • This should yield about 1 cup of puree. Set HALF of the blueberry puree aside to cool.
    A hand holds a measuring cup with thick, purple liquid above a pot filled with a similar substance on the stovetop, reminiscent of a luscious berry sauce for lemon blueberry cheesecake.
  • Add the other half of the puree back to the small saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk in the cornstarch and cook for a few minutes until it thickens a bit, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
    A copper pot on a stove holds a dark liquid with white powder, possibly flour or sugar, sprinkled on top, reminiscent of the sweet essence of lemon blueberry cheesecake.

for the cheesecake-

  • In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, mix cream cheese 30 seconds until smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and add in granulated sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
    A spoonful of creamy white butter is gently added to a glass mixing bowl, setting the stage for a delightful lemon blueberry cheesecake creation.
  • Mix again until incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl VERY WELL and mix again briefly.
  • Crack eggs into a separate bowl and whisk until well beaten. With the mixer on low, slowly pour the eggs into the cream cheese mixture and stop stirring once eggs have been incorporated.
    Beaten eggs are being poured from a glass measuring cup into a glass mixing bowl, ready to create the perfect batter for a lemon blueberry cheesecake using a stand mixer.
  • Remove bowl from mixer and scrape the sides and bottom again, ensuring the entire mixture is smooth. If there are a few small lumps, try to fold in using a rubber scraper.
    A hand uses a blue spatula to mix creamy lemon blueberry cheesecake batter in a glass bowl placed on a wooden surface.
  • Once the batter is completely smooth and ready, tap the bowl on the counter for 30-45 seconds to remove as many air bubbles as possible. You should see them popping on the surface as you tap the bowl.
  • Pour HALF of the cheesecake filling into the center of the graham cracker crust and gently smooth the top if needed.
    A green spatula spreads creamy lemon blueberry cheesecake batter in a round cake pan with a graham cracker crust. A blue and white patterned cloth is partially visible in the background.
  • Next add half of the blueberry puree, using a spoon to drop small dollops evenly over the surface of the cheesecake mixture. Space them out across the top to ensure the puree is distributed evenly.
    Lemon blueberry cheesecake with a graham cracker crust topped with dollops of berry sauce, in a round baking pan on a wooden board. Background includes a blue and white patterned cloth.
  • Gently drag a butter knife or a skewer through the dollops of blueberry puree in a swirling motion. Be careful not to over mix or run into the graham cracker crust. Aim for a marbled pattern by moving the knife back and forth to create delicate swirls.
    A baking pan filled with lemon blueberry cheesecake batter and berry sauce sits on a round wooden cutting board. A blue and white geometric-patterned cloth is partially visible underneath.
  • Pour the remaining half of the cheesecake mixture overtop the blueberry swirls.
    A close-up of creamy batter being poured from a spoon into a pan, joining the swirled red and white mixture, suggests the delicious promise of a lemon blueberry cheesecake on a wooden surface.
  • Then, add the rest of the blueberry puree in dollops just like before and create swirls again.
    Lemon blueberry cheesecake topped with red fruit sauce dots sits elegantly in a pan on a wooden board, framed by the charming blue and white patterned cloth in the background.
  • Bake at 325° F for 30 minutes.
    A baking pan filled with lemon blueberry cheesecake batter and berry sauce sits on a round wooden cutting board. A blue and white geometric-patterned cloth is partially visible underneath.
  • Reduce heat to 250° F and bake for another 30 minutes.
  • Once this time has elapsed, turn oven off and keep cheesecake inside for another 30 minutes for some carryover cooking without opening the oven door.
  • Crack oven door to let cheesecake cool slowly for 1 hour before removing. At this point, cheesecake should be slightly warm.
    A lemon blueberry cheesecake with a marbled berry swirl pattern graces a round pan, resting elegantly on a wooden board with a blue and white towel in the background.
  • Bring cheesecake to room temperature on the counter (3-4 hours) before covering with plastic wrap and transferring to the fridge.
    Lemon blueberry cheesecake with a swirled berry pattern on top, covered with clear plastic wrap, placed on a wooden surface.
  • When ready to serve, open springform pan and remove collar. Cut cheesecake into slices and serve with a healthy drizzle of blueberry sauce.
    A slice of lemon blueberry cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with a swirled blueberry sauce, sits on a white plate. A hand gently holds a fork near the cake, ready to indulge.

Video

Notes

*You can substitute fresh blueberries if they are in season. The amount will be the same, but you may want to add a splash of water to make up for the high moisture content of frozen berries. In this recipe, though...it really doesn't make much difference. Also, feel free to substitute wild blueberries. 

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 1076IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg
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