I have been making cheesecake for over 30 years.  It’s one my son David’s favorite desserts.  I have always put lemon juice and zest in my cheesecakes.  On my visits to see him when he lived in California, I would pick lemons from his neighbor’s yard (with permission, of course!).  Until I started using fresh lemons, I would use bottled lemon juice.  That is a last resort now!

When my husband brought home a bag of limes last week, I thought I would make a cheesecake swapping out the lemon for lime.  Let me tell you, this tastes so good.  The lime really brightens up and enhances the cream cheese, just like lemons:)!  If you don’t already have a favorite cheesecake recipe, all you have to do is make this, and your problem will be solved!  You’re welcome:)!!

Feel free to use lemons in place of the limes.  Both are equally delicious!!

Graham Cracker Crust Ingredients:

• 9 graham crackers (one sleeve) finely crushed
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (85 grams)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325° F.   Wrap 8″-9″ springform pan with heavy aluminum foil and set aside.

Place graham crackers in a food processor (you can also do this in a plastic bag and a rolling pin).  Pulse until crackers are finely ground.

Transfer to a bowl and add melted butter, sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Stir until it comes together and resembles coarse sand.

Press crumb mixture into the bottom and about an inch up the side of the pan.  I like to use a measuring cup to help with this process.  Place pan with crust mixture in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to slightly cool.

Ingredients for lime cheesecake:

• 5- 8oz. blocks cream cheese (1130 grams), softened to room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 grams)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (110 grams), room temperature
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup lime juice (120 grams) -about 6 small limes
• Zest of two small limes (about 2 teaspoons)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions for cheesecake:

Zest 2 limes and place in a small bowl until ready to use.

Juice enough limes to get 1/2 cup of juice.  Set aside.

Place softened cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl.  Using the whisk attachment, mix on medium/high speed until smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes).  Scrape sides and whisk when needed.  This is a very important step to ensure your cheesecake is silky smooth (yummmm!).

Add eggs one at time, mixing after each addition.

Add sour cream, lime juice, vanilla extract and salt to cream cheese mixture.  Remove whisk attachment and replace with paddle.  Mix added ingredients until well combined.  You don’t want to whip too much air into the batter.  That could cause your cheesecake to crack in the baking process.

Fold lime zest into the batter with a rubber spatula.  Making sure to scrape the bottom of the mixing bowl and distribute evenly.

Place springform pan in a large roasting pan.  Place in oven and pour enough boiling water to come one inch up the side (be careful not to burn yourself in this process!).

Turn the oven temperature down to 300° F. and bake for one and a half hours.  Cake will be slightly jiggly in the center.  Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in the oven for another hour (prop oven door open with a wooden spoon).

After an hour, remove cheesecake from the oven and finish cooling on a rack (about 2 hours).  Leave springform on the pan.

After the cheesecake has completely cooled.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from refrigerator when ready to serve.  Run a small spatula around the sides of the pan to make sure it doesn’t stick to the springform.

Garnish with sweetened whipped cream*, lime zest and lime wedges (optional).  Enjoy!!

*Whip one cup heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar until it is the consistency for piping swirls on your cheesecake (or you can spoon it on, but piping swirls makes me feel fancy…wink wink).

This is sure to please any cheesecake lover out there.  It might even make a believer out of non-loving cheesecake people (is there even such a thing?!!).

I hope you make this creamy and delicious cheesecake, and if you do, please tag me on Instagram @goodeatsbymimi. I would love to see your pictures!