Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe (2024)

Desserts | lemon | Recipes

ByJamie Sanders

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This Lemon Cheesecake Pie recipe is perfect for lemon lovers- so sweet, lemony and creamy, with just a tiny bit of tartness- yum! Cheesecake pie is a simplified version of the classic cheesecake.

The easy-to-make pie is bursting with a creamy, lemony filling made from only eight basic ingredients. This recipe says goodbye to the challenges of using a springform pan or needing a water bath.

Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe (1)

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  • Why You Will Love This Cheesecake Pie
  • Ingredients at a Glance
  • Instructions
  • Faqs
  • Printable Recipe Card

Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe

Rather than a cake this year, I made my hubby a couple of pies for his birthday. The first was a chocolate cream pie (which is one of his favorites) and this fabulous Lemon Cheesecake Pie.Ok, so the Lemon Cheesecake was really for me, cheesecake is my ultimate favorite dessert, and this one was sweet, lemony, and creamy, with just a tiny bit of tartness- yum!

For today’s pie, I’d planned on using a pre-made graham cracker crust that I had in the pantry, but it turns out the pie crust was way out of date, so I ended up just using the other refrigerated pie crust leftover from the chocolate pie.

The lemon cheesecake pie turned out so pretty and smooth with no cracks! Since I have absolutely no skill at piping whipped cream, I just chose to spread a thin layer of whipped cream on top. But if you have piping skills, little mounds of whipped cream around the edge, topped with lemon slices would be gorgeous!

The best thing about this pie recipe? NO WATER BATH NEEDED!

Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe (2)

Why you’ll love this Lemon Cheesecake pie

  • Easy to Make: This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants a delicious dessert without too much fuss. With only eight basic ingredients, including a premade crust, you can whip up this pie in no time.
  • No Water Bath Needed: Say goodbye to the challenges of using a springform pan or needing a water bath. This recipe doesn’t require a water bath, which means less time and effort for you.
  • Creamy and Lemony Filling: If you love lemon, this pie is perfect for you. It’s bursting with a creamy, lemony filling that’s sweet with just a hint of tartness. Plus, you can add a bit more lemon juice and zest if you really want to amp up the lemon flavor.
  • Same Texture as Classic Cheesecake: While this pie is a simplified version of the classic cheesecake, it has the same velvety, creamy texture and tangy-sweet taste. The only difference is that the filling layer isn’t as thick and tall, and it’s baked in a pie dish instead of a springform pan.
  • Cooling and Chilling is a Breeze: Unlike traditional cheesecake, this pie cools and chills much faster. It only needs to cool for about an hour at room temperature and then chill for a few more hours before serving. Plus, you can make it up to 2 days in advance and freeze it for up to 3 months. Low-maintenance and convenient!

Lemon cheesecake Pie ingredients

(Ingredients at a glance, you will find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

  • Cream cheese: 2 blocks, softened to room temperature, this is the main ingredient for the cheesecake filling. It provides richness and creaminess to the dessert. I recommend full-fat cream cheese, but you can use low-fat for a slightly less rich lemon cheesecake pie.
  • Sugar: white granulated sugar adds sweetness to the pie. It also helps the filling to set properly.
  • Sour cream: it gives the filling a tangy taste and a silky texture.
  • Eggs: they act as a binding agent and help the filling to set. They also add richness to the dessert.
  • Fresh lemon juice: This is what gives the pie its signature lemon flavor. Fresh squeezed lemon juice gives the best taste. If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can use bottled lemon juice, though the flavor won’t be quite as bright and fresh. (Plus you want fresh lemons for the zest.) You can adjust the amount depending on your taste preferences.
  • Vanilla: it enhances the flavor of the other ingredients and adds a subtle sweetness to the filling.
  • Salt: a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
  • Pie crust: you can choose the type of crust you want – pastry, pie crust, graham cracker, or even Nilla Wafers. A 9-inch deep dish premade crust is recommended for this recipe.
  • Lemon zest: it adds extra lemon flavor and a pleasant aroma to the dessert. You can skip it if you don’t have lemons or if you prefer a milder lemon taste.

Remember to bring all cold ingredients to room temperature before beginning. Room temperature ingredients combine quickly and evenly, so you won’t risk over-mixing. Overmixing incorporates too much air and can lead to cracks and/or a grainy texture.

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How to make lemon cheesecake pie:

  1. Prep: Bring ingredients to room temperature and preheat oven to 325.
  2. Mix the ingredients: Using a hand mixer or beater, combine cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt (everything except the zest and pie crust ) until smooth.
  3. Bake: Pour the lemon cheesecake mixture into the prepared pie crust and bake at 325 until the center is set but still slightly wobbly. (40 to 50 minutes.) To keep the pie crust from burning, cover the pie crust edges with foil. See how I covered my pie here.
  4. Cool: Let cool, then chill til firm (around 3 hours.)
  5. Serve: Before serving, top with a thin layer of whipped cream and lemon zest.
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Recipe Tips

  • Use a deep dish pie crust. This recipe makes a lot of filling, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough room for it all.
  • Bring your cold ingredients to room temperature before starting. This is super important if you want a creamy and smooth filling. Cold ingredients can lead to overmixing, and overmixing incorporates too much air and can lead to cracks and/or a grainy texture.
  • Don’t skip the lemon zest! This will give your cheesecake that extra lemony flavor and really make it pop.
  • Take the pie out while it’s still jiggly. This is important for creaminess. It will continue to set up as it cools in the fridge.

Storage suggestions

Leftovers: To store Lemon Cheesecake Pie, cover it well with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Make ahead: If you want to make it ahead of time, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days before serving.

To Freeze: You can also freeze it for up to 6 months by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To serve frozen pie, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe (4)

Faqs

Can I Use a Graham Cracker crust?

Of course! I prefer how the pastry pie crust holds up after baking, but if you want a graham cracker crust, this is a good recipe:

  • 1 ½ cups finely crushed graham crackers
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons sugar

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Stir together all ingredients. Press the mixture firmly and evenly against the bottom and side of the pie plate.
2. Bake for about 10 minutes or until light brown; cool on a cooling rack before filling.

How do I ensure the cheesecake filling turns out smooth and creamy?

Make sure to use room-temperature ingredients. Cold cream cheese and other ingredients will be difficult to mix. Room-temperature ingredients will blend together quickly and evenly.

How do I know when the cheesecake pie is fully baked?

The center of the pie should be set, while still slightly jiggly, as it will continue to solidify as it cools and chills in the refrigerator.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! This cheesecake pie can be made up to 2 days in advance. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months and thawed overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Does this recipe require a water bath?

No! This recipe does not require a water bath. Traditional cheesecakes often require a water bath to ensure even baking, but this recipe does not need one due to its thinner filling layer.

Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe (5)

More Lemon Recipes

  • Homemade Lemon Curd
  • No Bake Lemon Cheesecake
  • Lemon Icebox Cake
  • Lemon Mousse
  • Lemon Ricotta Pasta
  • Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Did You Try This Lemon Cheesecake Pie?

Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!

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Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe (6)

Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe

★★★★★5 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Jamie Sanders
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Description

This Lemon Cheesecake Pie recipe is perfect for lemon lovers- so sweet, lemony and creamy, with just a tiny bit of tartness- yum!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

(recipe adapted from Real Simple magazine)

  • 2 8 oz bars of cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • your favorite 9-inch deep dish premade pie crust
  • extra lemon for zest

Instructions

  1. Using a hand mixer or beater, combine cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt (everything except the zest and pie crust ) until smooth.
  2. Pour into crust and bake at 325 until the center is set but still slightly wobbly. (40 to 50 minutes.) To keep the pie crust from burning, cover the pie crust edges with foil. See how I covered my pie here.
  3. Let cool, then chill til firm (around 3 hours.)
  4. Before serving, top with a thin layer of whipped cream and lemon zest

Enjoy

Notes

Use either a graham cracker or traditional pie crust – whichever you prefer!

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About the AuthorJamie Sanders is a wife and mom of 2, located in the heart of Texas. She founded Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom in 2011 as a place to share creative ideas and family friendly recipes. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart, Woman’s World, HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, CNET, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, Oprah Daily, and Redbook, plus many other publications. To date, she had given away just under a million free pdf sewing patterns.
Lemon Cheesecake Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my lemon cheesecake not setting? ›

Chill For A Longer Period

In some cases, your filling just needs more time to chill. No-bake cheesecakes generally need at least 4-6 hours in the refrigerator to set properly. If your filling is still runny after that time, try chilling it for another 2-4 hours.

What is lemon chess pie made of? ›

While both are made with butter, sugar, and eggs, chess pie relies on an acid like lemon juice or vinegar to balance the sweetness, and is thickened by cornmeal for a pale yellow color. Buttermilk pie calls on buttermilk for its custardy base, along with all-purpose flour to thicken it.

Why is my no-bake cheesecake sloppy? ›

The primary reason a no-bake cheesecake is too runny or doesn't set up properly is generally the temperature of the ingredients. If your cream cheese is too warm, the mixture will be too soft and will never set up properly.

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

Let's go through some common mistakes you should avoid to ensure your cheesecake sets properly, has the right texture, and doesn't sink or crack.
  1. Get Your Crust Right. ...
  2. Don't Go Low-fat. ...
  3. Don't Use Cold Ingredients. ...
  4. Do I Really Have to Do a Water Bath? ...
  5. Don't Overbake. ...
  6. Don't Rush the Cooling Process. ...
  7. Don't Leave It Out.
Apr 7, 2021

What can I use if I don't have a lemon? ›

Other citrus fruit like limes make a great substitute for lemons in many dishes, both sweet and savory, including marinades, sauces, and desserts. To substitute limes for lemons, you can use a 1:1 ratio for both the juice and zest.

Why did my lemon cheesecake curdle? ›

If you notice your batter is curdling, it could be due to the temperature of your ingredients. Make sure you're using softened cream cheese, which is much easier to mix and will prevent clumps. Softened cream cheese will also help ensure you don't overmix your batter, which can cause your cheesecake to crack.

What if I add too much lemon to my cheesecake? ›

Thankfully, there are a few ways to fix a dish if you have added too much lemon juice. One option is to balance out the acidity by adding a sweetener such as sugar or honey. Another option is to dilute the lemon juice by adding more of the other ingredients in the recipe.

What is penguin pie? ›

Penguin Pie – Smoked Haddock, Potatoes, Cheese & Onion Sauce | Brockleby's.

What is possum pie made of? ›

The pie is made with several layers, with the most common being layers of vanilla pudding, cream cheese, chocolate custard and/or sour cream. There are many different combinations making use of alternating layers of cream cheese and puddings topped with whipped cream.

What is Flipper pie made of? ›

Most recipes suggest that the seal meat is coated in flour, pan-fried and then roasted with onions, pork fat and root vegetables like carrots, turnips, potatoes and parsnips. Once the dish has a nice, flaky crust, it is often served with a side of Worcestershire sauce.

How to fix no-bake cheesecake mistakes? ›

Sometimes, a no-bake cheesecake filling can turn “soupy” in texture. Don't worry, we can rescue it! If your cheesecake filling goes soupy in texture, don't worry—you can fix it! Just add a little gelatin to the mix, and it will set up in the fridge just fine.

How do you keep a no-bake cheesecake firm? ›

To get cheesecake filling to firm up completely, it needs to be refrigerated for a minimum of 6 to 8 hours. If you skip this step, the texture of the cheesecake will be more like mousse.

Can you over mix no-bake cheesecake? ›

Mixing the filling for longer than the recipe says.

To my regret, I found a super-soft cheesecake waiting the next day as a result. Try this: Make sure you use room-temperature cream cheese (more on that below) and use a hand mixer or mix by hand to avoid breaking the emulsion created by the cream cheese.

What to do if my no bake cheesecake doesn't set? ›

If your cheesecake filling goes soupy in texture, don't worry—you can fix it! Just add a little gelatin to the mix, and it will set up in the fridge just fine. The trick is to use just enough gelatin so you don't end up with a jello texture for your cheesecake.

How to fix a runny cheesecake? ›

There are a few ways to thicken cheesecake filling. One way is to use cornstarch, which is a common thickener in many desserts. You can mix a tablespoon or two of cornstarch into your cheesecake filling mixture before baking. Another option is to use a little bit of flour or arrowroot powder.

Why is my baked cheesecake still runny? ›

Liquid can also come out of a cheesecake if it is overbaked as the proteins in the cream cheese mixture start to tighten too much and squeeze out the water. The cheesecake should still be quite jiggly when it comes out of the oven, even though it will have risen and formed a crust on the surface.

Can I put my no bake cheesecake in the freezer to set? ›

The filling needs proper chilling, a minimum of four hours but preferably overnight, to set into sliceable sections. Freezing the cheesecake results in a too-hard-to-enjoy crust and filling. Try this: The cheesecake should be shiny and firm to the touch when set.

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