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individual lemon cheesecake

mini lemon meringue cheesecakes


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  • Author: Brittney
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: dessert
    • Method: baked
    • Cuisine: global

Ingredients

graham cracker crust

  • ¾ cup (90 grams) graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons (40 grams) unsalted butter, melted

lemon cheesecake

  • 12 ounces (350 grams) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (60 grams) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice
  • lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • 2 large eggs

meringue topping

  • 3 large egg whites
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar*
  • pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

lemon cheesecakes

  1. Preheat oven to 320 F (160 C) and line a standard muffin tin with 12 liners.
  2. Prepare graham cracker crust. In a small bowl combine the finely crushed graham crackers and melted butter until completely coated. Divide the mixture evenly among the liners, pressing down to form the crust.
  3. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove and let cool.
  4. Make the lemon cheesecake filling. Beat the room temperature cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth.
  5. Add the sugar and flour. Continue beating until light and fluffy.
  6. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
  7. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat until fully incorporated.
  8. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until just combined.
  9. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared tin and bake for 20-23 minutes. The center of the cheesecake should still jiggle a bit.
  10. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator for at least three hours before adding the meringue topping and serving.

meringue topping

  1. Whisk together the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt in a metal mixing bowl.
  2. Fill a small pot with several inches of water and heat on the stove so that it stays at a simmer.
  3. Place your metal mixing bowl over the pot (making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Whisk and scrape the mixture until it reaches 160 F (71 C), about 5-10 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and use an electric mixer to beat the mixture until glossy with stiff peaks (5-8 minutes).
  5. Transfer to a pastry bag and pipe onto the chilled cheesecakes. Use a kitchen torch to toast the meringue.

Notes

Cream of tartar: Using cream of tartar is not essential, but will help stabilize the meringue. If you don’t have it on hand you can leave it out.

Storing and freezing: Store in an airtight container in your fridge for up to three days. The lemon cheesecakes will also keep well in the freezer for several months, but I don’t recommend freezing the meringue topping as it can sometimes deflate.