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The Best Lemon Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake (Creamy, Tangy & Stunning!)


  • Author: Alice Wellington
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 1214 slices 1x

Description

This Lemon Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake is the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet — with a buttery graham cracker crust and a stunning raspberry swirl that makes every slice a showstopper. A classic baked cheesecake made simple, elegant, and absolutely irresistible.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

¼ cup granulated sugar

5 tablespoons melted butter

For the Raspberry Swirl:

1 ½ cups fresh or frozen raspberries

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

For the Cheesecake Filling:

24 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

½ cup sour cream

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

3 large eggs + 2 egg yolks

For the Water Bath:

Hot water (for roasting pan)

Aluminum foil (to wrap pan)

Optional Garnish:

Fresh raspberries, lemon slices, and whipped cream


Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prep:
    Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in foil and lightly grease it.

  2. Make the Crust:
    Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool.

  3. Make Raspberry Swirl:
    In a saucepan, heat raspberries and sugar over medium heat. Mix cornstarch and lemon juice in a small bowl; stir into raspberries. Cook until thickened. Strain to remove seeds and cool completely.

  4. Prepare Filling:
    Beat cream cheese on low until smooth. Add sugar and flour, then sour cream, lemon juice, and zest. Mix in eggs one at a time until just combined.

  5. Assemble:
    Pour half the cheesecake batter into the crust. Spoon half the raspberry puree on top and swirl gently. Add the remaining batter and swirl the rest of the raspberry sauce.

  6. Bake:
    Place the pan in a water bath (in a large roasting pan filled halfway with hot water). Bake at 300°F (148°C) for about 1 hour 25 minutes, until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly.

  7. Cool:
    Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Then cool to room temperature and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

  8. Serve:
    Slice with a warm knife, wipe between cuts, and garnish with fresh raspberries and lemon zest.

Notes

For a smooth texture, use room-temperature cream cheese and eggs.

Don’t overmix after adding the eggs to prevent cracks.

The raspberry sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and chilled.

To freeze, wrap the cooled cheesecake tightly and store for up to 2 months.

  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked in water bath
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 425
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 290mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: lemon raspberry swirl cheesecake, baked cheesecake recipe, creamy cheesecake, lemon dessert, raspberry swirl dessert