Lemon Curd Topping Recipes

LEMON DROP CHEESECAKE WITH LEMON CURD TOPPING

Steps:

• Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the lemons. Finely mince the zest in a food processor. Add the granulated sugar to the zest and pulse to combine. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the zest and sugar mixture, and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar/lemon zest mixture. Beat in the eggs, one at a time and then add the lemon juice and salt. Mix to combine.
• Pour the lemon mixture into a medium saucepan can cook over medium/low heat until thickened, stirring constantly (approximately 10-15 minutes).
• Remove the curd from the heat and cool slightly before straining it into a medium bowl.
• Once strained, cover the curd with plastic wrap and chill while you prepare the cheesecake. *Note - the curd will thicken further as it chills.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Spray a 9" springform pan liberally with baking spray.
• Use the food processor to pulse the cookies to form fine crumbs.
• Pulse in the sugar, and the melted butter.
• Continue pulsing until the mixture resembles wet sand.
• Press the cookie crumbs evenly and firmly in the bottom of the prepared springform pan.
• Bake the cookie crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove and cool.
• In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the softened cream cheese with the Greek yogurt.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time blending well after each addition.
• Add the reserved lemon zest and sugar (set aside earlier), vanilla extract and the crush ed lemon drop candy to the cream cheese mixture, and stir well to combine.
• Place the cookie crust in the springform pan on a baking sheet.
• Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly into the springform pan and bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until the cheesecake is only slightly jiggly in the center.
• Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to stay in the oven with the door ajar for 30 minutes.
• Remove the cheesecake to a cooling rack and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• Run a knife or spatula around the outer rim of the springform pan, open the collar of the pan and gently remove.
• Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before adding the lemon curd and flowers.
• Once the cheesecake is completely cool (you may refrigerate if desired), fill in any cracks on the top of the cheesecake with the lemon curd, and then spoon additional lemon curd evenly over the top of the cheesecake and garnish with non-poisonous flowers if desired.
• Chill the cheesecake if desired but allow it to come to room temperature before slicing and serving.

LEMON CURD

Steps:

• Whisk eggs, sugar, and lemon juice in a double boiler over simmering water until mixed well, then continue to stir until thick, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Drain through a mesh sieve to get rid of lumps. Fold in butter until well incorporated. Mix in lemon zest. Cover curd and chill in the refrigerator until it has thickened, about 4 hours.

PERFECT LEMON CURD

Steps:

• In a 2 quart saucepan, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, eggs, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat until thick enough to hold marks from whisk, and first bubble appears on surface, about 6 minutes.

LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add a thin roasting pan or broiler pan to the bottom shelf and add about 1-2 inches of water in the pan.
• To make crust, blend cookies in food processor until fine. Incorporate melted butter until evenly blended. Press crust into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze while you make the filling.
• In a saucepan with an inch of boiling water, place a double boiler, metal bowl, or glass bowl on top to heat heavy cream. Once warm, add white chocolate chips and remove from heat. Whisk until chocolate is smooth. Set aside to cool (about 15 minutes).
• For the filling, beat cream cheese, lemon zest, sugar, cornstarch, sour cream, and vanilla.
• Slowly add cooled white chocolate mixtures. Finally, add eggs, one at a time until mixture is smooth.
• Pour into prepared crust and place cheesecake pan into the preheated oven. No need to place it IN the water bath, just the shelf above.
• Bake 60 minutes. Turn off oven and let sit undisturbed for about 45 minutes. Remove and allow to cool in refrigerator about 6-8 hours (or overnight).
• Top with prepared lemon curd, slice and enjoy!

LEMON CURD TOPPING

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk egg yolks, lemon zest and juice, and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until mixture is thick enough to coat spoon, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Add butter, one piece at a time, stirring until smooth.
• Pass mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; press directly on surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool before serving.