Lemon Keto Cheesecake
Lemon Keto Cheesecake Recipe, Low Carb, Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free – very easy to make, smooth, creamy and delicious. Perfect for an every day dessert, but also great for party and celebration.You have the option to make this cheesecake plain or lemon flavored.
I chose to add lemon zest and lemon juice to this Keto Cheesecake Recipe, which made it taste fresh and flavorful.
It is perfect for Spring, Easter and Mother’s Day!
If you decide to leave the low carb cheesecake plain, you can always top it with your favorite low carb jam, melted chocolate or fresh berries.
I topped this cheesecake with homemade, low-carb, sugar free lemon curd, that tasted amazing!
Can you have cheesecake when on the Keto diet?
The best part of this low carb diet is that I can have cheesecake! It is not the traditional kind of cheesecake, but actually making a keto cheesecake is super easy.
How to make keto cheesecake?
1. Swap the sugar in the recipe with a low-carb sweetener (I used Erythritol)
and
2. Make the cheesecake crust gluten and sugar free, which means no crushed Oreo cookies.
Both steps were very easy and I ended up with the most delicious sugar free cheesecake that everyone loved! I can’t wait to make it again this week!
How to make Keto cheesecake crust?
For the keto cheesecake crust I used:
- almond flour
- erythritol
- melted butter.
It turned out very delicious and it could be used even if you are not making a ketogenic cheesecake, it works with regular cheesecake recipes.
I’m not the biggest fan of cheesecake crust made out of crushed cookies, so while I make a lot of cheesecakes, I used to not eat the crust.
Things have changed ever since I made this cheesecake crust with almond flour.
It tasted so much better, buttery and flavorful!
For the Lemon Keto cheesecake batter:
I used my go to baked cheesecake recipe, with a few slight adaptations.
This low carb keto cheesecake tastes almost the same as its regular version, made with refined sugar.
You can hardly tell the difference.
This cheesecake is perfectly sweet and creamy, with a light texture.
It is made with:
- cream cheese
- erythritol (powdered)
- vanilla
- yogurt (or sour cream)
- lemon juice
- lemon zest
- eggs.
Just a few simple ingredients you may already have.
What is the best pan to bake a Keto cheesecake in?
I decided to bake it in a pan with removable bottom, which actually isn’t a springform pan.
I loved the result!
This keto cheesecake came out looking perfect on the outside!
Of course you can use a springform pan.
Have you decided if you are making this lemon keto cheesecake, or you are leaving it plain and topping it with a sugar fre sauce or berries?
Other Keto Dessert Recipes:
Lemon Keto Cheesecake Recipe, Low Carb, Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
For the keto cheesecake crust:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 3 tbsp powdered erythritol
- 5 tbsp melted butter
For the keto cheesecake filling:
- 32 oz cream cheese — softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered erythritol — can reduce it to 1 1/4 cup, if you like your desserts less sweet
- 2 tsp lemon juice — optional, for the lemon cheesecake version
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 3/4 cup Greek Yogurt or sour cream
- 4 eggs — large, at room temperature
For the lemon curd (optional):
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup powdered erythritol — I used Swerve
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 4 tbsp butter
Instructions
For the keto cheesecake crust:
-
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan (or a pan with removable bottom) with parchment paper. You can wrap the pan with a layer of aluminum foil, in case of leaks. We are not using a water bath.
In a bowl, combine the almond flour, butter and powdered erythritol, stir to combine. Spread the mixture on the bottom of the pan and press to make the top smooth. Bake for 10 minutes, then let it cool to room temperature.
-
Reduce the oven temperature to 300 F.
For the keto cheesecake filling:
-
In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and powdered erythritol for 3-4 minutes, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add vanilla, lemon juice (optional) and lemon zest (optional). Mix to combine.
-
Add the yogurt (or sour cream) and beat on medium speed to combine.
-
Slowly add the eggs, one at a time, beating with the mixer on medium speed, after each addition.
-
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 70-80minutes, until the edges are golden and the top is set. Let the cheesecake cool inside the oven for 40 minutes. Then take it out and let it cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Then you can serve it either topped with lemon curd or other sauce of your choice.
For the lemon curd (optional):
-
In a heat proof bowl, combine egg, egg yolks, lemon zest, juice and powdered erythritol. Whisk to combine.
-
Fill a large pot with water to create a double boiler. Heat over medium heat. Place the heat proof bowl above it. Whisk constantly for 8-9 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and add the butter. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
Calories: 323, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 103mg, Sodium: 228mg, Potassium: 102mg, Carbohydrates: 6g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Protein: 8g, Vitamin A: 915%, Vitamin C: 1.2%, Calcium: 102%, Iron: 0.9%
Mira – just like your other cheesecakes, this summery cheesecake is stunning – and love that you made it a keto one!
This cheesecake is stunning, Mira! I’m loving all of your keto recipes and this one is no exception. Love the easy swaps you made to this. And yes, so perfect for spring! Pinned!
I’d love a slice!
I love lemon! That looks like a perfectly cut piece!
I love the low carb version of cheesecake!
That sauce just puts this cheesecake over the top!
I agree, it tastes so fresh!!! Thank you 🙂
I can’t wait to share this recipe with my keto friends!
Question: the video showed the cheesecake made with powdered erythritol but the recipe dosent call for it – which should I use?
Hi, both the filling and the crust are made with powdered erythritol. Allulose will also work.
I’m chuckling at myself because all I can think of as I read this post is “Wow. Wow. OH WOW!”
I love sweet carbs, but I started my Keto journey about a month ago and haven’t had any real treats during that time. I haven’t found it difficult at all really, but having said that, this lemony cheesecake has me really excited. Would love to have it, like, NOW but will have to wait until I can make it tomorrow. Something to look forward to and I can hardly wait, as I have a soft spot for citrusy desserts. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I hope you like this! Cheesecakes are pretty easy to adapt to the keto lifestyle. All you need is a gluten free crust and keto sweetener in the filling.
How big of a serving are your nutritional measurements for?
Cut the cheesecake into 16 slices. They are small.
I served this cheesecake tonight at our Mother’s Day dinner tonight and it was a BIG hit!! ?? Everyone said it was delicious, just the right amount of sweetness & a keeper. When sliced the cheesecake looked exactly as yours does in the picture. ???? The only difference is my Lemon Curd wasn’t as bright yellow as it shows in your post. I used a glass bowl & metal whisk when making the curd. Do you know what might have caused the color to be different? Thanks in advance.
Hi Shannon, I’m so happy that it worked and tasted delicious! My lemon curd usually is a lighter yellow, but I think the lemons I used this time were different, they almost looked as Meyer lemons, but were not. Also if the egg yolks are darker yellow, this could play a role. Egg yolk colors vary a lot, I don’t think you did anything wrong, it is just the difference in the ingredients.
Made the recipe following the instructions, popped it in the oven for about 80 mins it puffed up and looked amazing, left it in the oven to cool for 40 mins it lowered a little bit then took it out to cool completely and deflated about 2 inches below the top of the pan. I’m trying to figure out what went wrong, do you have any idea? I checked all the ingredients again and I didn’t forget anything, the raw batter tasted great. It was incredibly humid here yesterday and I wonder if that had any effect on it?
Hi Lauren,
I’ve never had it happen, but I also don’t think you did anything wrong. I’m so sorry it did not turn out ok.
I’ve had regular cakes deflate like this and the one reason is that they are underbred on the inside, still moist.
It could be the humidity in the air, the type of pan and oven temperature. Do you think your oven might be off? Do you use an oven thermometer?
I live in Chicago and I know what humid is. Sometimes this reason gets overlooked and things like this happen.
I’d say increase the baking time with 15-30 more minutes, but keep checking on the cake. Also, you can refrigerate it while still warm, because the humidity might deflate it again, if you try this recipe.
Let me know if this helps!
I haven’t made this cake on an extremely humid day.I made it many times back in the winter and spring.
for the crust and the cheesecake filling, do you use granulated erythritol or powdered?
In this recipe, I did use powdered erythritol. I just like it better in custards and cheesecakes. I usually use granulated in cookies though.
I love lemon meringue pie and cheesecake and this looks like the perfect combo! Will be making this for Christmas dessert. Can’t wait!
Thanks Holly! Hope you like it!
powdered erythritol is that The same as erythritol
And it says 4.8 and not 48oz creme cheese?
(wanna try make The recepie but i live inside europé so just wanna translator The numbers right before)
Also, The vanilla extract is it possible to use it powder form instead of liquid?
Thank you so much for sharing! I have been on keto for a few months but having trouble getting my husband and daughter to make the switch. I think this may help. It would be nice to only have to make one meal instead of 3 lol.
I did make a few minor adjustments due to lack of enough ingredients. I cut the crust ingredients in half and replaced 2 tablespoons of almond flour with coconut flour. I didn’t add lemon zest to anything due to my grater couldn’t make it. I tried using a larger grater and food processor to break them down but failed at that too lol. I did make the same amount of custard just without zest. It is in the oven now and I reduced cooking by half but I am monitoring it. I will keep you posted.
Its 4. 8 and not 48oz right?
And can you used powdered vanilla extract over liquid
powdered erythritol is The same as just erythritol i assume aswell?
Just trying to figure out The numbers before i start to bake, always Hard between europé and US bake recepies ^^
It is 4 – 8 oz packages cream cheese. There is a clear space between 4 and 8. Also it says blocks, so 48 blocks of cream cheese is a lot. You can use whatever vanilla you like, it is fine. Powdered erythritol is erythritol that has been powdered, while it is the same ingredient, powdered works best in this recipe. Thanks!
Hi. The recipe calls for 3 large eggs for the filling but it looks like in the video you used 4?
Hi Beth, sorry about that, for some reason I wrote 3. I usually use 1 egg per 8 oz of cream cheese. So 4 eggs in the recipe will work fine. Even if you decide to use 4, it will still be ok. Let me know.
I only have Swerve sweetener which is sweeter than erythritol, do you know how much I would change the amount to use?
I use Swerve and usually substitute with the same amount. You may want to use 3/4 of the amount of erythritol.
Hello
Do you know the nutritional facts without the crust.
Yes: (no crust, no curd)
Calories: 216, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 103mg, Sodium: 201mg, Potassium: 106mg, Carbohydrates: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Protein: 5g, Vitamin A: 16.4%, Vitamin C: 1.5%, Calcium: 7.3%, Iron: 2.3%
Cheesecake came perfect and was delicious. I actually added crushed pecans on top of the crust and it added flavor and texture. Only negative was the curd. I’m unsure why but it had a funny metallic aftertaste and was unpleasant enough that we threw it out. I used glass bowl and metal whisk btw.
Hi Robin, Glad you liked the cheesecake. I’ve heard people have metallic taste with lemon curd (not using this recipe, but lemon curd in general), but I’ve never experienced that. Metallic aftertaste usually means that the egg yolks you used were old…Also if the lemon juice was made from lemons that are not ripe, it may taste metallic. As you said, the whisk could be an issue, but I doubt it.
I made the recipe as posted and it was a giant hit. So so good. My question is about sweeteners – my brother says any sweetener ending in “-itol “ spikes his blood sugar. Do you think the recipe would work with Splenda? I’d live to make it for him, but don’t want to waste the ingredients and time if it won’t be good. Thanks so much for the fabulous recipe!
Glad you liked it! The recipe might work with Splenda, but I have not tested it and would hate to give you misleading information.
I keep making this over and over again. I have loved adding it to my list of keto food. I can’t bring myself to try another dessert recipe because I just love it so so much. Thanks for sharing. ♥️
Thank you so much for the nice comment! You made my day! So happy you like it!
Hi, Mira! This looks like just the keto lemon cheesecake recipe I’ve been searching for. I react poorly to erythritol. I’d like to try using stevia for the recipe even though I know stevia doesn’t always work out well for baking. I’m thinking of using powdered stevia for the crust, and I do have liquid stevia as well and thought that might work in the filling. I also know stevia can be a little bitter which is why I’ve been looking for a lemon cheesecake recipe because I think the lemon will hide the bitterness of the stevia, kind of like coffee does when using it to sweeten coffee drinks. Do you have any advice or thoughts for me? Thanks!
Hi Traci! Yes, Stevia would work, but I’m not quite sure about the substitution. Here is a chart from a well known Keto site which might help to convert the amounts. Stevia is a lot sweeter. https://www.ketoconnect.net/low-carb-sweeteners-conversion-chart/. Let me know how it turns.
This cheesecake is amazing!!! My absolute favorite Keto cheesecake. The family loved it, too!
Great! So glad you like it Michelle! 🙂
Can I use coconut flour instead of almond Flour?… if I can, I suppose, It will be the same quantity . Thanks for the information.
Sorry I have not tried the recipe with coconut flour. If you decide to experiment, I’d think it will require less coconut than almond flour, but not sure how much.
I made this cheesecake, but when I bake, I use a combination of sweeteners to give desserts the complexity of flavor and structure that REAL sugar gives. I used powdered isomalt, erythritol, granulated splenda, and a packet of regular splenda. I would defy anyone to guess this is a sugar free cheesecake. It is perfect!
Great! I’ll definitely try this and make a note for other readers interested. Thanks Cindy!
Hi Cindy, do you mind sharing the amounts you used for each : isomalt, erythritol and splenda so it resembles the sweetness of 1 cup erythritol? Thanks!
This looks fantastic! I may try to do half of the recipe in a 6″(?) pan… because I don’t have any events with company coming up soon. Lemon is perfect in the summer heat. Or can part of this be frozen? Maybe waxed paper between the slices? Or does cheesecake separate when frozen?
Also, could I freeze the lemon curd (to go along with the slices) for later? (Maybe alone in a Ziploc?) Or would the texture be ruined?
Also, do you think the curd would be suitable as a lemon meringue dessert base? Maybe just as a pudding in small glass dishes with some browned meringue on top? Can’t wait to make this!
Yes, half of the recipe will be perfect for a 6-inch pan. And both the cheesecake and the lemon curd can be frozen. The texture of the curd sometimes can be a little off, but I usually have no issues with it. Lemon meringue sounds amazing and this curd can work for this type of dessert. I also have non Keto lemon curd recipe if you are interested and search on my blog. Let me know if any questions.
Can you use low-fat cream cheese and yogurt?
Yes, both can be used, just keep in mind that the cheesecake will be more crumbly, not creamy.
Thank you!
The cheesecake was delicious. I found though that cutting the crust recipe in half would still basically cover the bottom and especially the edges of the pan with crust and prevent leakage during baking, and reduce the total calories by a whopping 720 and the net Carbs by 4 grams without compromising too much on the flavor and texture. Next time I will reduce the calories and carbs further by eliminating the crust completely and substituting a cooked cream cheese topping instead of the lemon topping.
The cheese cake taste great but the lemon curd is too sweet with Swerve 1/2 is too sweet.
Hi, wanted to make sure the recipe needs 32 ounces of cream cheese as stated? Seems like quite a lot. Thanks.
32 oz is correct
I’m making the cheesecake for New Years Eve, Not sure when I should put the lemon curd on the the cake. Do I put it on when it comes out of the oven, let it completely chills in the fridge, or wait until I’m serving the cake. How long will the curd wait before it starts to set up too much to spread?
It is best if you put the curd on top of the chilled cheesecake. It is not a very thick curd, so there shouldn’t be any issues with spreading. For best results use powdered erythritol for both the cheesecake and curd.
Hello, we’ll I made the lemon cheesecake yesterday, but didn’t notice just how many servings there are in this recipe. Please can you tell me how long it will last in the fridge ?. And if it can be frozen ?.
Many thanks
Victoria
Hi,
It will last in the fridge for up to 1 week and yes, it can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Fantastic, thanks for your quick reply. I’m in the UK, so had to use steviol. All good.
I made this yesterday! I did have to do a couple changes though as my ingredients were a bit different.
I didn’t have erythritol, I tried finding it at stores and online but it doesn’t seem to be on the market in my country. So instead I used mostly Stevia and a small amount of Xylitol because I was running out. I believe for the bottom I added 3tbsp of stevia and for the custard I added 150ish gr of stevia + 100ish gr of xylitol. It was very sweet, but in a good way 😀
It’s chilling in the fridge at the moment, I will make the curd this afternoon to put on it and serve this evening. Super excited!
Thank you so much for the brilliant recipe!
Do I leave the oven door closed or open to cool . I thought I had seen somewhere to leave it slightly open but I can’t find it
Yes, slightly open will be perfect, to it doesn’t sit in the hot oven too much.
I made this for Mother’s Day and it was a hit. I chose to make the cheesecake lemon, exactly like the recipe. I topped it with a sugar free blueberry compote. I will definitely make this again!
Hi! The cheesecake is cooling right now. Smells good! I have a question I can’t find – do I remove the cheesecake from the pan before chilling it in the fridge or leave it in the pan until it is done chilling? I don’t want it to stick to the sides, so I wasn’t sure when to take it out of the pan!
I remove it after chilling. If you do it before, you are risking it not hold its shape.
Hubby and I made this today. I wanted a ‘real cheesecake’ and was craving lemon. We doubled the crust and put in a 9×13 as we didn’t have a round or springform pan. This recipe took longer to make than our usual easy low carb/keto recipes we have tried but is was sssso worth it. OMG, so delicious. I hinted to hubby I would love this for my bday cake:). Thanks for the recipe.
Was not sure on the amount of sour cream needed. It said 3. 1/2 cups but I thought should be table spoons.
So sorry you got confused. It is 3/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt.
I made this with liquid stevia instead of erythritol and it was incredible. Best cheesecake ever. Thank you!
Could I make this with regular sugar?
Yes, regular sugar is fine
If you use Allulose in Lemon Curd, it won’t crystalize. Just use a wee bit more, as not quite as sweet as erythritol. Just a hint.
Thank you! Back, when I shared the recipe, I was not using Allulose, but now I do use it and it works well in recipes like this.
Hello,
I am using a 6″ springform pan. How long do I cook this?
Honestly, no more than 5-10 minutes longer.