Best 9 Light Citrus Cheesecake Recipes

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With its creamy and tangy filling balanced by a light, crispy crust, citrus cheesecake is a delectable treat that never fails to impress. Whether you prefer a classic lemon cheesecake or something more exotic like a blood orange or grapefruit variety, there's a light citrus cheesecake recipe out there to suit every taste. In this article, we'll guide you through some of the best recipes for light citrus cheesecakes, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CITRUS CHEESECAKE



Citrus Cheesecake image

A great tasting citrus cheesecake with a marmalade glaze. Garnish with orange slices and sprigs of mint.

Provided by NATHAN14

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Cheesecake Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup white sugar
½ cup butter, room temperature
1 egg white
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 ⅔ cups white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
1 ½ teaspoons grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
⅔ cup orange marmalade
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Butter a 9 inch springform pan. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon peel and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour and 1/3 cup sugar. Add butter and process until coarse crumbs form. With machine running, add yolk mixture and blend until moist clumps form. Press dough onto bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of prepared pan. Freeze crust 10 minutes.
  • Brush crust lightly with egg white. Bake until crust is pale golden, about 15 minutes. Cool on rack while preparing filling. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 2/3 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, orange zest, lime zest, 1 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in sour cream. Pour filling into crust.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until puffed and cracked around edges and center moves only slightly when pan is gently shaken. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, boil marmalade and 2 teaspoons lemon juice until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Spread warm glaze on top of cake. Chill cake 10 minutes. Remove pan sides and transfer cake to serving plate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 555.5 calories, Carbohydrate 59.3 g, Cholesterol 153.9 mg, Fat 33 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 20.2 g, Sodium 263.6 mg, Sugar 44.4 g

CITRUS CHEESECAKE



Citrus Cheesecake image

Here's the perfect cheesecake for spring. The rich cookielike crust and creamy filling make the zesty citrus taste a wonderful surprise. -Marcy Cella, L'Anse, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h40m

Yield 12-14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
FILLING
5 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
TOPPING
1-1/2 cups sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Combine flour and lemon zest; gradually add to creamed mixture. Mix until dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Divide dough in half; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. , Remove sides of a 9-in. springform pan. Grease bottom. Between waxed paper, roll half the dough to fit bottom of pan. Peel off top paper; invert dough onto bottom of pan. Remove paper; trim dough to fit pan. , Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack. , Attach sides of the pan and grease sides. Pat remaining dough 1-1/2 in. up sides of pan, pressing dough to bottom crust to seal., For filling, in another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, lemon and orange zest and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs and yolks; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in cream just until combined. Pour into crust. Return pan to baking sheet. , Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325°; bake 55-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. , Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Combine topping ingredients; spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 442 calories, Fat 25g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 196mg cholesterol, Sodium 165mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (34g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 7g protein.

TRIPLE-CITRUS CHEESECAKE



Triple-Citrus Cheesecake image

This Triple-Citrus Cheesecake is a delicious enigma. It's rich, but not heavy. Sweet, yet tart and refreshing. Make it and enjoy the contradictions.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 6h35m

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 tsp. zest and 1 Tbsp. juice from 1 each lemon, lime and orange

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 325°F.
  • Combine graham crumbs, brown sugar and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 min.
  • Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, flour and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Stir in remaining ingredients; pour over crust.
  • Bake 1 hour 5 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Fat 23 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 130 mg, Sodium 290 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 6 g

SUNNY CITRUS CHEESECAKE



Sunny Citrus Cheesecake image

This beautiful layered cheesecake takes a bit longer to make, but the end result is so worth it! Citrus seems to be the perfect ending for an Easter meal, and the bright flavors really shine in this dessert. -Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 2h

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-1/3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon grated lime zest
3 drops green food coloring
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
6 drops yellow food coloring, divided
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
2 drops red food coloring
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
Optional: Orange slices, lime slices and lemon slices

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Wrap foil securely around pan. Place on a baking sheet., In a small bowl, mix flour, sugar and zest; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake until edges are lightly browned, 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in flour and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Divide batter into thirds. To 1 portion, add lime juice, lime zest and green food coloring. Pour batter over crust., Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, about 25 minutes., Meanwhile, to another portion of batter, add lemon juice, lemon zest and 3 drops yellow food coloring. Carefully remove pan from oven. Gently spoon over lime layer. Return to oven; bake until center is just set and top appears dull, about 25 minutes., To remaining batter, add orange juice, orange zest, red food coloring and remaining 3 drops yellow food coloring. Carefully remove pan from oven. Gently spoon over lemon layer., Return to oven; bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 30-35 minutes. Carefully remove pan from oven., In a small bowl, whisk topping ingredients. Gently spoon over cheesecake in small dollops; spread carefully. Return to oven; bake 5 minutes., Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove rim from pan. If desired, top with orange, lime and lemon slices. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394 calories, Fat 27g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 117mg cholesterol, Sodium 231mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 6g protein.

CITRUSY CHEESECAKE



Citrusy Cheesecake image

The nice thing about this cheesecake is that it doesn't require a water bath or any sort of special baking pan: More shallow than a traditional version, it gets baked right in a pie plate (or tart pan, if you've got that). While there are zest and juice inside the cream cheese filling, it's the fresh sliced citrus on top that makes this cake Creamsicle-like, so don't skip it. The ultimate do-ahead dessert, this cheesecake can be baked three or so days in advance, just make sure to wrap it tightly as cream cheese tends to easily pick up on that "fridge" scent.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     cakes, dessert

Time 45m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces/225 grams vanilla wafers or graham crackers
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
6 tablespoons/85 grams unsalted butter, melted
Pinch of kosher salt
1 pound/455 grams (two 8-ounce/225-gram packages) cream cheese, not the whipped kind, preferably at room temperature
1 cup/240 milliliters sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup/100 grams granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons fresh grapefruit, lemon, lime or orange juice
3 tablespoons finely grated grapefruit, lemon, lime or orange zest
Pinch of kosher salt
Sliced citrus, for serving
Flaky sea salt, for serving

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Heat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Pulse cookies in a food processor until you've got a nice fine crumb (but not a powder). You can also do this by hand if you like, by placing the cookies in a resealable bag and crushing or smashing with a skillet or rolling pin, but you will need a food processor for the filling.
  • Transfer crumbs to a medium bowl and add brown sugar and butter, followed by a pinch of salt. Using your hands, mix until the crumbs are evenly coated and the mixture has a nice, wet-sand texture.
  • Press the crust onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate, tart pan or springform pan. (Alternatively, you could use a cake pan lined with parchment. You can even use an 8-by-8-inch baking dish here, although expect a slightly thicker outcome.) Use the bottom of a measuring cup or small bowl to make sure the crust is really pressed in there, otherwise the cake could be challenging to cut later on.
  • Bake the crust until it is lightly golden brown at the edges (it gets baked one more time, so best not to overdo it here), 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Make the filling: Combine cream cheese, sour cream and granulated sugar in the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture is extremely smooth and well blended, a minute or two, scraping down the sides as needed to incorporate any stubborn chunks of cream cheese. Add eggs, grapefruit juice, zest and a pinch of kosher salt and keep processing until it's even smoother and creamier than before (a miracle!), another 30 seconds or so.
  • Pour filling into baked crust (you may have some leftover filling depending on your chosen vessel) and bake until mostly set (a little jiggle is fine), 20 to 30 minutes. The filling should not brown at all.
  • Turn oven off and open the door a crack. Let the tart sit in the oven for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack on the counter to cool completely. Then place the tart in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. (This is to prevent any unsightly cracks from appearing on the surface, which can happen when there is a sudden or drastic change in temperature.)
  • To serve, scatter fresh citrus slices on top and sprinkle with a little flaky salt.

CITRUS CHEESECAKE



Citrus Cheesecake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 6h15m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted (see Note)
2 1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons allpurpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
Grated zest of 1 lemon
Grated zest of 2 oranges
5 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Thinly sliced kumquats, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9inch round cake pan. Coat the bottom and sides with the toasted almonds.
  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer at low speed until soft and smooth, about 1 minute. Combine the flour and sugar in another bowl and then add to the beaten cream cheese. Mix well, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Beat in the grated citrus zests. Add the eggs, egg yolks and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly, frequently scraping down the sides of the bowl, until the batter is perfectly smooth.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan, tapping the bottom on a counter four or five times to eliminate air pockets. Place the cake pan inside a large roasting pan and pour in hot tap water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Bake 1 hour, or until the center feels firm when pressed. Immediately remove the cake pan from the larger pan and set aside to cool on a rack. Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours or overnight.
  • To serve, place the pan over a low burner for about 1 minute to melt the butter. Invert onto a plate and then invert again onto a serving platter so the nuts are on the bottom. To garnish, if desired, spread the sour cream evenly over the top and then cover the top with rows of thinly sliced kumquats.

LIGHT AND FLUFFY LEMON JELLO CHEESECAKE



Light and Fluffy Lemon Jello Cheesecake image

I got this recipe in 1980 when I worked at University of Michigan hospital. The ward secretary on our unit always brought this to our potluck lunches. Everyone loves it because of its great cheesecake flavor without the heaviness of regular cheesecake. Easy to make, easier to eat!

Provided by Barb Witherspoon

Categories     Cheesecake

Time 2h15m

Yield 18 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
6 ounces lemon Jell-O gelatin
2 cups boiling water
8 ounces cream cheese
12 ounces evaporated milk, chilled

Steps:

  • Mix Graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar, and melted butter or margarine.
  • Press Graham cracker crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9"x13" pan. (You do not need to grease the pan.).
  • Mix lemon Jello with 2 cups boiling water until Jello is dissolved.
  • Add cream cheese to Jello mixture, breaking cheese up with a potato masher or the beaters of an electric mixer.
  • In a chilled bowl (glass or metal work best) whip with electric mixer chilled evaporated milk with 1 tablespoon sugar until small peaks form. (Getting peaks to form is much easier if the bowl and milk are cold.).
  • Add Jello mixture to evaporated milk and continue to beat until well blended.
  • Pour over Graham cracker crust.
  • Chill until firm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183.3, Fat 10.5, SaturatedFat 5.9, Cholesterol 29.5, Sodium 183.7, Carbohydrate 19.5, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 12.8, Protein 3.5

LIGHT LEMON CHEESECAKE



Light Lemon Cheesecake image

This is a quick no-bake light cheesecake. It has a great texture and flavor. Cook time is for chilling.

Provided by Chris from Kansas

Categories     Cheesecake

Time 4h10m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 graham cracker, crushed
1 package lemon gelatin
2/3 cup boiling water
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
8 ounces neufchatel cheese
2 cups Cool Whip Lite
1 cup cherry pie filling

Steps:

  • Spray 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.
  • Sprinkle with 1/2 of the graham cracker crumbs; set aside.
  • Dissolve gelatin completely in boiling water in a small bowl, stirring 2 minutes.
  • Pour into blender container.
  • Add cheeses; cover.
  • Blend on medium speed until smooth, scraping down sides occasionally.
  • Pour into large bowl.
  • Gently stir in whipped topping.
  • Spread in prepared pie plate.
  • Sprinkle remaining crumbs around outside edge, leaving center plain.
  • Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
  • Just before serving, gently spread pie filling onto center of cheesecake.

LIGHT-AS-AIR LEMON CHEESECAKE



LIGHT-AS-AIR LEMON CHEESECAKE image

Categories     Cake     Citrus     Dairy     Dessert     Bake     Low Fat

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

1.5 Cups Almond Biscotti Crumbs
(to make crumbs, crush biscotti with a rolling pin between two pieces of waxed or parchment paper)
1 cup plus one tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup butter (at room temperature)
1 (8 oz.) packages of nonfat cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 (8 oz.) package of reduced fat cream cheese (at room temperature)
2 cups (16 oz.) nonfat sour cream
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons cake flour (or regular flour)

Steps:

  • DIRECTIONS 1. In food processor, process crumbs (to make crumbs,, 2 tablespoons of the sugar and butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press mixture firmly over bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in a 350˚ oven until lightly browned (about 10 minutes). 2. In clean food processor, combine 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the sugar, both packages of cream cheese, 1 cup of the sour cream, eggs, egg whites, lemon peel, lemon juice and flour. Process until smooth. 3. Pour cream cheese filling into crust. Return to oven and bake until filling jiggles only slightly in center when pan is gently shaken. (35-45 minutes) Cool in pan or on rack for 30 minutes. After you take the cake out of the oven, stir together remaining 1 cup sour cream and remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, cover and refrigerate. Spread cooled cheesecake with sour cream topping. Cover and refrigerate until cold (at least four hours). To serve, remove springform pan rim. Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberries, if desired.

Tips:

  • Use a springform pan: This will make it easy to remove the cheesecake once it's baked.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper: This will prevent the cheesecake from sticking to the pan.
  • Use full-fat cream cheese: This will give the cheesecake a rich and creamy texture.
  • Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before using: This will help it mix smoothly with the other ingredients.
  • Don't overbeat the batter: Overbeating can cause the cheesecake to be dense and crumbly.
  • Bake the cheesecake in a water bath: This will help to prevent the cheesecake from cracking.
  • Chill the cheesecake for at least 4 hours before serving: This will allow the cheesecake to set and firm up.
  • Serve the cheesecake with fresh fruit or whipped cream: This will add a touch of sweetness and acidity to the cheesecake.

Conclusion:

Light citrus cheesecake is a refreshing and delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy texture and bright citrus flavor, this cheesecake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give this light citrus cheesecake a try. You won't be disappointed!

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