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This is the best easy cheesecake recipe you will ever make!
I don’t often go so far as to say a recipe is the BEST EVER. That is assuming a lot. But this one- it is pretty fantastic and by far easier that whipping up some lemon instant pudding with cream cheese and Cool Whip. Now I am not judging that concoction. But I also would not call that cheesecake ????
This easy cheesecake recipe is actually a lemon cheesecake. Oh yum!
It came into my possession after my countless requests that my husband’s grandmother Lucy give it to me. Lucy was never very fond of me. I met Matt when I was 17 and we have been together ever since. We made 1 or 2 trips a year to see her in Bristol, Virginia. We stayed with her, took her to see other relatives with us and generally had a great time.
We kept this up every year until she passed away a few years ago. She had been in great health and was as feisty as an angry bee. I can still hear her arguing with Matt about politics, religion and current events (he liked to get her all worked up and it was all in fun). I can still see her watching her stories and making bacon and eggs for Matt at the stove and pouring her coffee in her saucer because it was too hot. I have memories of her just like I do of my own grandmother because much of my life was spent knowing her.
She adored Matt. She was sure to have all of his favorite things in the house when we go there (notice I keep saying MATT not me). From Fresh Jersey cow milk in the yellow plastic gallon jug to bacon, bread and plenty of eggs. She seemed to make them in a way I have never been able to duplicate.
She also always had not one but two ‘cheese pies’ in the ‘Fridgeair’ for Matt. I made the mistake of asking what a cheese pie was when I was about 19. Her look could have carved stone.
Cheesecake. Not only cheesecake but one of the best I have ever had. Ever. Matt was, of course, given her recipe and I made it tonight as a special treat. Forgive the photos because I took them at low light while it was still warm. But don’t do what I did. Let it chill before you cut it. I can just hear Lucy in my head scolding me for that!
Is this easy cheesecake recipe calling your name?
If you make this lemon cheesecake recipe, please come back and leave me a comment below!
Total Servings 12
5 minPrep (inc. refrigeration & rest time)
40 minCook Time
45 minTotal Time
Ingredients
- 2 packages of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 C sugar
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Juice of that large lemon
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 2 eggs
- prepared graham cracker crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand or stand mixer to combine cream cheese, zest, juice, sugar and vanilla and salt.
- Blend in the eggs.
- Pour into crust.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until center is set.
Important Notes
Substitute any citrus-Lime, Lemon or Orange!
Don’t want a citrus taste- then leave it out!
This is also GREAT when you toss in 1 C of fresh (dry) berries!
