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Lemon-lime cherry pistachio cheesecake slice garnished with fruit and nuts

Luscious Lemon-Lime Cherry Pistachio Cheesecake

A delightful fusion of creamy cheesecake, zesty citrus, and sweet cherries, topped with a buttery pistachio crust.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the crust

  • 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 0.25 cups unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 0.25 cups pistachios, finely chopped

For the cheesecake filling

  • 2 cups cream cheese, softened Use high-quality for best results
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 0.75 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp lime zest

For the cherry topping

  • 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • 0.25 cups sugar For topping
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice For topping
  • 0.5 tbsp cornstarch For thickening

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
  • In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and chopped pistachios. Stir until well-combined, resembling wet sand.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Making the filling

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  • Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon juice, lime juice, lemon zest, and lime zest until well incorporated.
  • Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust and smooth the top.

Baking

  • Bake the cheesecake for 55-60 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
  • Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool inside with the door slightly ajar for about 1 hour.
  • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Preparing the cherry topping

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine fresh cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook while stirring until the cherries release juice (around 5-7 minutes).
  • Mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry, then add to the cherry mixture and stir gently for about 2 minutes until it thickens.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

Serving

  • Spread the cool cherry topping evenly over the chilled cheesecake before serving.
  • Optionally garnish with additional pistachios.

Notes

For a unique flavor, consider adding a splash of almond extract. This cheesecake can be made a day in advance for the best flavor.
Keyword Cheesecake, cherry, Dessert, lemon-lime, pistachio