Lemon Meringue Cheesecake (no bake)

Lemon meringue cheesecake on a glass cake stand.

5 from 46 votes

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake (no bake)

This no-bake lemon meringue cheesecake is a refreshing celebration of bright, creamy flavours layered with glossy lemon curd (shop-bought!) and crowned with a delicate swirl of Swiss meringue.

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Prep Time:30

Cooling time:6

Total Time:6 30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: International

Keyword: mini meringues, meringue kisses, easy meringue

Servings: slices

Calories: 708kcal

Equipment

8-inch (20cm) round springform baking tin
stand mixer or electric hand mixer (grease-free)
kitchen torch

Ingredients

For the base

2.8 ounces (80g) butter
8.8 ounces (250g) shortbread, digestives or graham crackers

For the lemon cheesecake filling

12.3 ounces (350g) white chocolate, broken into pieces
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (double cream) fridge cold
14.1 ounces (400g) full-fat cream cheese room temperature
8.8 ounces (250g) mascarpone cheese room temperature
2 tablespoons icing sugar (powdered sugar)
2 tablespoons lemon zest (packed) roughly two large lemons
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping

6.3 ounces (180g) lemon curd add more if you want

For the Swiss meringue

7.8 ounces (220g) caster sugar or granulated sugar
4 egg whites from large eggs
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt (or a large pinch)

Instructions

Prepare the base

Line the base of an 8-inch (20cm) springform tin with baking paper. The easiest way is to place a sheet over the base, clamp the sides shut, then trim the excess paper for a neat finish.
Melt the butter in the microwave in a heatproof bowl until fully melted. Set aside.
2.8 ounces (80g) butter
Crush the cookies in a food processor or sealed bag with a rolling pin until they resemble a sand-like texture.
8.8 ounces (250g) shortbread, digestives or graham crackers
Add the melted butter to the crushed cookies and mix until evenly combined.
Spoon the mixture into the tin and use the back of the spoon to press it down firmly and smooth it out into an even layer. Place the tin in the fridge to firm up while you make the cheesecake filling.

Prepare the filling

Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler until completely smooth with no lumps. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
12.3 ounces (350g) white chocolate, broken into pieces
Using the whisk attachments of your mixer, whip the cold double cream to soft peaks.
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (double cream)
In a separate large bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese, mascarpone, icing sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract.
14.1 ounces (400g) full-fat cream cheese, 8.8 ounces (250g) mascarpone cheese, 2 tablespoons icing sugar (powdered sugar), 2 tablespoons lemon zest (packed), 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Using the same whisk attachments (no need to wash them), whisk the mixture until it’s completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps or graininess.
Next, add the soft-whipped cream. Using low speed, whip the mixture until it’s quite firm and holds its shape well. Be careful not to overwhip, or it may turn grainy.
Finally, pour in the slightly cooled melted white chocolate.
Whisk gently until the mixture is silky smooth. Again, be careful not to overwhip.
Spoon the cheesecake mix on top of the cookie base. Add it in three parts, smoothing each layer as you go to avoid any air pockets.
Chill the cheesecake in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best for perfect firmness.

Add the lemon curd topping

Once the cheesecake has set, spread the lemon curd evenly over the top.
If your curd feels a bit stiff or jelly-like, warm it gently in the microwave for a few seconds, just enough to loosen it. Then, give it a good whisk to smooth out any lumps before spreading.
Chill the topping whilst you make the meringue.
6.3 ounces (180g) lemon curd

Make the Swiss meringue topping

Attach the whisk attachment to a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer.
Fill a saucepan with at least 5cm/2" of boiling water. Place a bowl on top of the saucepan, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Alternatively, if you have a double boiler, use that.
Add the caster sugar (or granulated sugar) and egg whites to the bowl. Make sure you have a hand whisk ready.
7.8 ounces (220g) caster sugar or granulated sugar, 4 egg whites from large eggs
Over medium heat, whisk the egg white and sugar mixture continuously until all the sugar has melted. Expect the mixture to become very foamy as it heats up.
To check if the sugar has melted, quickly dip your fingertips into the mixture and feel for any graininess. Alternatively, if you have an instant-read thermometer, the temperature should read around 71C/160F.
Typically, this process takes around 5 minutes.
Transfer the hot egg and sugar mixture to the grease-free bowl of a stand mixer. If you're using an electric hand mixer, transfer the mixture to a grease-free, large mixing bowl.
Beat the meringue mixture on medium-high speed for 1-1.5 minutes until it starts to build a little volume. Then, add the cream of tartar, vanilla extract and a generous pinch of salt.
½ teaspoon cream of tartar, ¼ teaspoon salt (or a large pinch), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Continue beating until the meringue turns pure white with glossy, stiff peaks that hold their shape. Stop as soon as you reach this stage, as overbeating might cause graininess.
It should take approximately 3-4 minutes with a stand mixer on medium-high speed and a little longer with an electric hand mixer.

Top with meringue

Spoon or pipe the meringue over the curd, swirling it into dramatic peaks.
Torch lightly until golden. Keep the flame moving to avoid burning. A gentle pass is all it needs for a caramelised finish.

Notes

How to torch meringue

Hover the torch like you’re painting with fire, just enough to kiss the peaks with colour. Don't linger too long in one place, it can go from pure white to scorched in a split second.

Scaling the recipe

For a smaller cheesecake (6-inch): Reduce all ingredients by roughly 1/3.

For a larger crowd (9- or 10-inch): Increase ingredients by 1.5x.

Mini cheesecakes: Divide the crust and filling among muffin tins or dessert glasses. Chill as normal. Spoon on curd and pipe a small swirl of meringue on top of each.

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