Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
- In a blender or food processor, combine graham crackers, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Pulse until finely crumbed. Add the melted butter and stir until combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Gradually add granulated sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly blended.
- Beat in the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, until the mixture is smooth. It’s important to mix gently to avoid incorporating too much air.
- Stir in the all-purpose flour just until combined. Be careful not to overmix as this can lead to cracks in your cheesecake.
- Quickly fold in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest until just incorporated. The mixture will be creamy and thick at this point.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- In a small blender, puree the blueberries until smooth. Press through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds, if desired. Stir in a little granulated sugar to sweeten. Spoon dollops of the blueberry mixture on top of the cheesecake. Use a skewer to gently swirl it into the filling.
- Wrap the bottom of the springform pan in tin foil to prevent leakage. Place the cheesecake pan into a larger pan and fill with very hot water, ensuring it reaches halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. This water bath helps prevent cracks.
- Carefully place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The center should still be slightly jiggly when done.
- Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit, undisturbed, for 45 minutes with the door closed. After this, remove it from the oven, run a knife around the edge, and let it sit in the pan for another 15 minutes. Finally, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Notes
Tip 1: It’s crucial to bring your ingredients, especially the cream cheese, to room temperature to ensure a smooth batter.
Tip 2: Using a water bath prevents the cheesecake from cracking by providing gentle, consistent heat.
Tip 3: Allowing the cheesecake to cool gradually in the oven helps avoid temperature shock which can lead to cracks.
Tip 4: Using fresh blueberries and lemons will elevate the flavors, making your cheesecake taste even better!
