Lemon Meringue Cheesecake Recipe

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake


Ingredients
2 cups Chessman or shortbread cookie crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Lemon Meringue 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 lemon, zested
4 egg whites
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)
1 1/2 cups lemon curd
INGREDIENTS FOR LEMON CURD
1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/3 cup (69g) sugar
4 egg yolks
3 tbsp (42g) salted butter

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine all the ingredients in a double boiler (or in a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water). Heat while whisking constantly until mixture thickens and reaches 160 degrees, or coats the back of a spoon.
2. Pour the lemon curd into a heat proof bowl, cover with clear wrap pressed onto the the top of the curd to avoid a film developing, and refrigerate until cold.
3. Serve with your desired treat. Lemon curd is best when well covered and consumed within 1-2 weeks.

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter together in a bowl until evenly combined; press into the bottom of a 9-inch pan (spring form works great)
Beat cream cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon zest into cream cheese mixture, scraping bottom and sides of the bowl. Spread mixture over cookie crust in the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until almost set in the center, about 1 hour. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate until completely cooled, at least 3 to 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Beat egg whites in a bowl using an electric mixer until soft peaks form; add 1/4 cup sugar and cream of tartar and beat until stiff, but not dry, peaks form.
Spread lemon curd over cheesecake. Mound whipped egg whites over the curd, sealing around all the edges.
Bake in the preheated oven until meringue is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Chill uncovered in refrigerator, about 1 hour.

This cheesecake will take about 5 hours and it's worth it!