Passover Lemon Cheesecake

A creamy, luxurious lemon cheesecake with a matzo meal and almond crust, perfect for Passover celebrations. This rich dessert features a delicate balance of tangy lemon and smooth cream cheese on a nutty base.

8 servings
1 hr 30 min

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup sliced blanched almonds, toasted and cooled
  • cup sugar
  • cup matzo cake meal
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 3 packages cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 3 whole large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 piece 9-inch springform pan
  • 1 garnish julienned lemon zest

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 350F with rack in middle.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Pulse almonds, sugar, matzo cake meal, and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and stir in butter until combined well. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of springform pan. Bake until crust is firm and a shade darker, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool crust completely in pan on a rack.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Beat together cream cheese and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add eggs 1 at a time, mixing until incorporated. Mix in zest and vanilla.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Put springform pan in a shallow baking pan and pour filling into cooled crust. Bake until filling is set 1 1/2 inches from edge but center is wobbly, 45 to 50 minutes (filling will continue to set as it cools). Transfer cake in pan to a rack and immediately run a knife around edge, then remove side of pan. Cool completely, 2 to 3 hours.

    50 min

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