“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”
Proverbs 31:26-27
My Mother was the best cook. Ok, ok, I know everyone says that about their mother…but I would put mine up against anyone, anywhere. Her food topped any I have ever eaten…and folks, I have been fortunate to eat at some great restaurants! She was constantly in the kitchen, day in and day out. To sit at her table and eat her Southern food was to be honored! We gathered every Sunday after church for the very best traditional Southern fare anywhere…and we still continue our Sunday tradition even nine years after my mother’s passing! Her recipes live on, and continue to be everyone’s favorite! (You can see another one of her recipes here). On Easter, I treated my family to her fabulous Lemon Cheesecake…and trust me when I say it was fabulous! (Think Spring!) It has several steps, but it is well worth the effort for all the compliments! If you like cheesecake, print this one out….you will definitely want to add this heavenly goodness to your repertoire!
We will start from the bottom, which of course is the crust. You can buy graham cracker crumbs, but not me…I love the leftover crackers to snack on, so going to the extra trouble to make it myself is well worth it to me! I use my mini food processor to crush the crackers. Always butter, never margarine….it’s just not the same! You can also use vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies…but just like Mama, I use graham crackers.
Next, the lemon filling…using fresh lemons only. This is not a low calorie dessert, so go all out and use real cream cheese!
The citrus zester, made in France, is a handy utensil! Can you smell the fresh lemons?!
Such sweet memories using my Mother’s KitchenAid mixer for this dessert…it is very old, but still works like a charm!
Now, on to the third layer, which is the topping…simply mixed by hand. My Mother trained me to use a good vanilla extract. She always said “Your food is only as good as the ingredients that you use”!
We are almost finished! The final layer is the freshly prepared lemon curd…my mouth is watering! (Side note: you can buy lemon curd at the grocery store, but to me, homemade is always best!)
Make sure you constantly stir the curd until thickened!
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My sweet Daddy gave me the highest compliment, he said “It tastes just like Nanny’s (the name Seth called Mother)”!
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 T sugar
- 6 T butter
- 3 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 T lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups sour cream
- 3 T sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 T corn starch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 T butter
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- Combine and mix together, then press on bottom and sides of a 9" springform pan. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Let cool.
- Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add sugar mixing well. Add eggs and mix. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 350 for 45 - 50 minutes making sure center is set.
- Combine sour cream, sugar, and vanilla mixing well and spread over cheese cake. Bake 350 for 10 minutes. Cool cheesecake before spreading the lemon curd.
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a small saucepan. Combine water, lemon juice, and egg yolk to sugar mixture in pan. Cook over low hear, stirring constantly until a boil and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter and lemon zest. Spread lemon curd on top and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, My Romantic Home, Poofing The Pillows
Kim says
This looks so delicious! I’m pinning for later. 🙂
Everyday Living says
Thanks, Kim! It is a family favorite!
Alice says
Your pictures make me want to go to the kitchen and make your moms cheesecake .
Everyday Living says
Alice, I have been known to eat this lemon cheesecake for breakfast! Happy Monday!
the Painted Apron says
Can I have a piece for breakfast? I can’t wait to try this Pam, thanks for sharing such a treasured family recipe!
Jenna
Everyday Living says
Thanks, Jenna! I have eaten this cheesecake for breakfast! Happy Monday to you!
Leslie Anne Tarabella says
So THIS is your famous cheesecake! My husband is crazy for cheesecake and this looks like something he would love! I love lemon anything, so it’s definitely a “keeper.” I absolutely adore how food links us to those we love, whether they are still here with us or not. I see a lemon cheesecake waiting for you in heaven someday!
Everyday Living says
Leslie Anne, food does link us to so many memories! Is there anything better than sitting around the table after a satisfying meal and just talking with each other? Thanks!
bonnie morgan says
This sounds soo wonderful, Pam. Pinning.
Everyday Living says
Thanks, Bonnie! If you like lemon and cheesecake, you can’t get any better!
Everyday Living says
Thanks, Bonnie! I love having all of my Mother’s recipes!
Beverly says
This looks so yummy. We love cheesecake and lemons so this is perfect.
Hugs,
Bev
Everyday Living says
Beverly, it really is a delicious cheesecake! Wishing you a great rest of the week!
Gayle says
I am a lemon nut, and this sounds (and looks!) delectable!
Everyday Living says
Gayle, if you like lemon, this you would love!
Anita says
This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.
Everyday Living says
Anita, thanks for hosting the lovely blog hop!
handmade by amalia says
Heaven on a plate.
Amalia
xo
Everyday Living says
Amalia, thanks so much! Happy weekend!
manu says
I do love lemon cheesecake!
Thanks for sharing
Everyday Living says
Thanks so much ! Happy weekend!
Stacey says
Pam, this is the moment when I have to confess that I’ve never made a cheesecake but it’s one of my favorite desserts ever! I’m pinning this to TOHOT and my personal boards because one of these days I’m going to make a cheesecake that tastes like Nanny’s. Sharing on Facebook later today. 🙂
Happy TOHOT friend.
Everyday Living says
Stacey, you are just the sweetest! Thanks for sharing this on FB! Happy weekend!
Lisa says
This sounds absolutely divine although probably way beyond my skill set! I’m afraid of spring form pans. It’s a long story.;-)
Everyday Living says
Funny, Lisa…would love to know your spring-form pan story! Happy weekend!
Carol Cook says
Well, my mama didn’t make cheesecake or anything for that matter. But, it doesn’t mean I can’t give it a try.
Thanks for sharing your recipe with SYC. I am going to pin it and give it a try.
Everyday Living says
I really think you will love the lemon cheesecake, Carol!
AnnMarie says
Thank you so much for sharing your Mom’s delicious sounding recipe. This is the kind of dessert I cannot resist making! Printing and pinning!
Everyday Living says
Ann Marie, thanks! If you make the recipe, I think you will really enjoy! Have a beautiful weekend!
FABBY says
Oh my goodness, I’m drooling over this luscious cake! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
I’m pinning it.
Hugs,
FABBY
Everyday Living says
Fabby, it is a delicious cheesecake! Thanks so much!
Angela says
My dad would love this! Thanks for posting at Thoughts of Home on Thursday!
Everyday Living says
Thanks so much Angela! Love sharing at your link-up party!
Sherry says
What a good recipe! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Everyday Living says
Sherry, I love sharing at HOME SWEET HOME!
Morgan @ Managing Mommyhood says
Yum! This looks unbelievable!
Everyday Living says
Morgan, thanks so much! Happy Monday!
rosemolloy59 says
My husband would love this, sounds and looks delicious. Thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.
Everyday Living says
Rose, thank so much! My husband sure loves it! Love to share at the blog hop! Wishing you a beautiful Monday!
Tracey Lee @ Mia Bella Passions says
Oh how a love cheesecake! Pinned and saved. 🙂
Everyday Living says
Tracey, if you love cheesecake, you would love this!
Jann Olson says
Oh, it sure does look yummy! Love cheesecake. Pinning and certainly will make it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Everyday Living says
Jann, it is one of the best cheesecakes! Thanks for SYC!
jonespr2014 says
Besides being an IT man in Silicone Valley, our oldest son is a graduate of Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY and can he cook Makes these all the time. I probably won’t but it looks great.
Everyday Living says
Thanks so much for reading! Sounds like your son is a master of many things! Hope you have a beautiful week!
Blessings,
Pam