Description
The Luscious Lemon-Lime Cherry Pistachio Cheesecake is a refreshing dessert that balances creamy richness with bright citrus zest, sweet cherry bursts, and crunchy pistachios. This cheesecake features a smooth, tangy filling on a buttery graham cracker crust, perfect for family gatherings or a delightful treat after a long day.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Filling
- 24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. Mix with melted butter and granulated sugar, then firmly press the mixture into the base of a springform pan. Chill the crust while preparing the filling to ensure even setting.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and sour cream, mixing well. Incorporate lemon and lime zest to infuse bright citrus aroma. Beat in eggs one at a time, maintaining a glossy and creamy texture.
- Fold in Cherries and Pistachios: Gently fold fresh cherries and chopped pistachios into the batter, distributing evenly without breaking the cherries, adding bursts of sweetness and crunch throughout.
- Bake the Cheesecake: Pour the filling over the chilled crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 50-60 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set but slightly jiggly in the center, ensuring a creamy texture.
- Cool and Chill: Let the cheesecake cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This helps flavors meld and texture to firm perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Mix just until combined to avoid incorporating excess air that causes cracks.
- If possible, bake using a water bath to prevent cracking and ensure even baking.
- Pat dry fresh cherries to remove excess moisture and avoid soggy filling.
- Chop pistachios evenly for consistent texture in every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: lemon lime cheesecake, cherry pistachio cheesecake, citrus cheesecake, creamy cheesecake, nutty cheesecake, gluten-free dessert