Keto Lemon Curd Cheesecake

Imagine a Keto Lemon Curd Cheesecake that is zesty, creamy, and so good that no one will believe it’s sugar-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. 

That, my friend, is what this keto-friendly lemon cheesecake recipe delivers. It’s low-carb, gluten-free, and sugar-free!

This lemon curd cheesecake is smooth and creamy, with a tangy lemon curd that combines sweet and tart perfectly.

It’s a wonderful recipe that will make even your non-keto family and friends into believers. It’s simply that good of a low-carb cheesecake.

I’m sorry—not sorry for the bragging—but I promise you that it’s a lemon curd keto cheesecake you’ll be proud to serve. 

Nothing is more refreshing in my book than a keto lemon dessert. If you share the same love of lemon desserts and are doing a keto diet, you’re in for a major treat.

Because this keto cheesecake delivers a lot of flavor with only a few basic ingredients.  

Make sure you check out our Keto Cheesecakes for more delicious flavor options. 

Keto Lemon Curd Cheesecake

I have always been a fan of all types of cheesecakes. However, what makes this keto cheesecake extra special is that it’s topped with keto lemon curd.

The generous topping of low-carb lemon curd is what makes an otherwise delicious keto cheesecake into something amazing.

If you’re a lemon lover, you’re in for a real treat!

When I tested this keto lemon cheesecake on my family, they went a bit wild over it. They kept returning for more until I had to put my mom’s hat on and remind them to save some for later.

It’s a keto dessert made with simple ingredients that features a tart lemon curd topping that makes this low carb cheesecake flat-out irresistible!

Don’t you just love it when a recipe is that well-received? 

That said, I will say that this recipe has a few extra steps over my usual offerings. But I will walk you through the recipe as best I can to ensure you get the same results I did.

If you are not one to make cheesecakes often do not be intimidated. There may be a few steps involved because of the different components, but none of these steps are challenging. 

Keto Lemon Curd Cheesecake Ingredients

This low-carb lemon cheesecake features a simple almond flour crust that will fool your taste buds into thinking it’s a graham cracker crust.

Plus, the crust ingredients consist of only almond flour, sweetener, and melted butter making it a breeze to make.

The velvety, smooth cheesecake is further enhanced with a little lemon extract. Then it’s topped with a decadent, tangy lemon curd that is perfect for when you need a keto-friendly lemon dessert. 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

To make this keto lemon curd cheesecake, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:

• Full-fat cream cheese (not whipped), room temperature
• Large eggs, room temperature
• Unsalted butter
• Fresh lemons (can be Meyer lemons or regular lemons)
• Lemon extract
• Almond flour for the crust
• Granulates sugar substitute

How To Make A Keto Lemon Curd Cheesecake

Before you begin to make this recipe, it’s vital that you allow your eggs and cream cheese to come to room temperature.

By taking this extra step, you ensure that the cheesecake batter mixes evenly. So don’t take any shortcuts. 

What’s also vital is that you use the correct type of cream cheese. So make sure you are ONLY using full-fat cream cheese when making a keto cheesecake. And that it’s not a cream cheese that has been whipped for airiness.

Although I made my keto cheesecake in a stand-up mixer, you could also make the cheesecake base in a high-powered blender.

Because I own a Kitchen Aid mixer, it combines my ingredients perfectly, but if you don’t have one, use the blender. Doing so will make the process easier and save you some time.

Just remember that you want your cheesecake batter to be well-incorporated and creamy.

This is why you must blend the batter long enough until you don’t see any lumps, but don’t overmix as it can cause your cheesecake to collapse when it’s being baked.

Because what you don’t want is to cut into your cheesecake and find flecks of cream cheese that have not been mixed into the batter, got it? 

Since I wanted to highlight the flavor of lemon in this recipe, I added lemon extract instead of the traditional vanilla that most cheesecakes call for.

This little bit of extract allowed the flavor of lemon to shine brightly.

Best Sugar Substitute Options

When it comes to choosing your sugar substitute for this keto lemon cheesecake, I have several for you to choose from.

My go-to choice is Lakanto Monk Fruit because the texture is spot on, and there is barely any aftertaste. It is a monk fruit and erythritol blend.

Lakanto Monk Fruit gets its sweetness from antioxidants called mogrosides, instead of fructose or sucrose. It’s why it’s a great all-natural sugar substitute and has zero calories and zero glycemic index.

I’m also partial to Swerve an erythritol blend. Unlike other natural sweeteners like stevia, it has no bitter aftertaste and measures like sugar.

It’s also a sugar substitute that browns and caramelizes just like sugar. Swerve is made from ingredients found in select fruits and starchy root vegetables and contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or flavors.

You could also use the stevia and erythritol-based brand Pyure for this low-carb lemon cheesecake.

But keep in mind, if using Pyure, you will want to use 1/2 the amount called for in this recipe since it’s much sweeter.

Lastly, if you can’t easily find a more natural sugar substitute, you can also use Splenda successfully.

For more information on the best sugar substitutes to use on the keto diet, be sure to check out our guide.

Keto-Friendly Cheesecake Crust

You’ll be making a gluten-free crust by using almond flour. It’s essential to make the crust for your cheesecake first since it will be baked before you add the cheesecake batter.

I make my crust with melted butter, similar to how I made my graham cracker crust before I went keto. 

To make this cheesecake crust, you must add melted butter to a mixture of almond flour, salt, and sugar substitute.

Once you combine the mixture, press the crust to the bottom of the pan, a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan.  

Then simply bake the crust in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes. Or until the crust firms up and it’s lightly browned around the edges. 

How To Make A Bain-Marie For A Low-Carb Lemon Cheesecake

Most cheesecake recipes recommend the use of a bain-marie. Although that’s not always the case with my cheesecake recipes, I recommend you do so for this one. It ensures you have a creamier cheesecake.

If you’re wondering what a bain-marie is, it’s a French technical cooking term that refers to the process of using a hot water bath. It allows for an even cooking environment. 

There is a crucial step you need to do before adding your cheesecake to the bain-marie.  It’s that you completely cover the bottom and sides of your spring form pan in heavy-duty foil.

Otherwise, your cheesecake will end up a soggy mess. This is no bueno. 

To ensure you are doing this correctly, cover the springform pan with foil at least 3/4 up the sides of the pan. This will ensure that no water seeps into the cheesecake while baking.

If you do not have heavy-duty foil, use two pieces of regular tin foil stacked together that have been joined by folding all four edges together.

Then make a bain-marie by placing a large enough roasting pan in your preheated oven and adding your prepared 9-inch springform pan into the roasting pan.

Lastly, pour enough boiling water into the roasting pan to come up about 1/2 way up the cheesecake.

As you can see, it’s important to properly cover your cheesecake bottom and sides. So take your time when adding your foil, and make sure it has a tight seal. 

Make sure when you are baking the cheesecake; you resist the urge to open the door. Peeking will produce cracks on the surface of your cheesecake, so don’t.

Chilling Your Keto Lemon Cheesecake

I find that not enough cheesecake recipes explain the importance of allowing your sugar-free cheesecake to fully cool before enjoying it. But it’s a necessary step that should not be ignored. 

I feel that the texture and flavor of cheesecake are further enhanced when it’s allowed to chill for a minimum of 12 hours. I always did it when I used to make regular cheesecake, and it’s still the case when I make a low-carb cheesecake.

I get that’s a long time, but I promise you it’s worth the wait. Your taste buds will be rewarded for your patience.

Once you bake your keto cheesecake, allow it to cool completely on the kitchen counter for about an hour.  Then wrap it with cling wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight. 

This means you are looking at a minimum of 13 hours of waiting you need to factor in when making this recipe.

I assure you that properly chilling your cheesecake makes all the difference in the world.  If you want that velvety texture that only good cheesecake has, you’ll need to allow the cheesecake to sit in your fridge and do its magic.

This also allows for the flavor to mature and fully develop. You’re going to have to trust me, but it’s what needs to happen to get a perfect keto cheesecake every time. 

Keto Lemon Curd Recipe

Without a doubt, the highlight of this cheesecake is the sugar-free lemon curd topping. If this is your first time making lemon curd, you’re in for a real tangy treat. 

Nothing compares to homemade lemon curd. You’ll be thrilled that you took the leap and tried your hand at making it.

That being said, the number one tip is to use ONLY fresh lemon juice. The stuff in the bottle just does not cut it.

The bright sunny color of this low-carb topping is sure to bring you a smile. It gets its vibrant yellow color thanks to the egg yolks, lemon zest, and freshly squeezed lemon.

But besides its cheery color, curd has the perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and creaminess.

What’s more, it’s relatively straightforward to make homemade lemon curd. Trust me, once you learn, you’ll want to make it often.

To make your keto lemon curd, you’ll need to use a double-boiler. I make my double boiler by placing a large glass mixing bowl over a pot of simmering water. 

Just make sure you do not allow the bowl to touch the hot water. What you want is hot steam to cook your curd evenly.

Once you’ve assembled your double boiler, you can quickly whisk it up. You will start by adding your butter to the bowl and allowing it to melt gently.

Then after the butter is fully melted and allowed to cool slightly, you’ll mix in your room-temperature egg yolks one at a time.

After you’ve whisked all the yolks into the butter, then add your sugar-free sweetener of choice, lemon juice, lemon extract, lemon zest, and a little bit of sea salt. 

Tips For Making A Great Keto Lemon Curd

Keep your eye on your lemon curd by constantly mixing it. Now’s not the time to step away from your stove. Ensure you continue to whisk your ingredients until the lemon curd fully thickens.

This won’t take very long because the egg yolks emulsify rather quickly. 

After your keto curd has fully thickened, you’ll need to place the curd through a fine-meshed colander. This step is essential to easily remove the grated zest and ensure it has a velvety smooth texture.

Then, place your lemon curd in a bowl and cover it with cling wrap. You will need to allow the plastic wrap to touch the curd’s surface to prevent a hard film from forming as it chills in the refrigerator. 

Topping Your Keto Cheesecake With Lemon Curd

The next day after your cheesecake has thoroughly chilled, you can add the lemon curd to your cheesecake. The nutritional facts reflect that I added the total amount of lemon curd to the cheesecake.

Because it’s so delicious, people(insert happy dance).

However, you may opt to use less and reserve the rest of the curd to enjoy ALL BY ITSELF.

But this girl wanted a generous topping, and frankly, I will bet you will too. 

Then it’s just a matter of serving or topping with your favorite seasonal fresh berries and even a few lemon slices. 

How To Slice And Store Your Keto Cheesecake

Slicing cheesecake can be a little tricky and messy. I avoid this by dipping my sharp knife in hot water and then wiping it clean before each and every cut. 

You’ll need to keep your cheesecake leftovers refrigerated. For the curd not to form a crust on the cheesecake, here again, you will need to allow the cling wrap to touch the topping. 

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I can’t wait for you to try our low-carb lemon curd cheesecake recipe. At only 4.1 g net carbs, it’s the perfect keto lemon curd cheesecake.

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It’s what keeps this girl encouraged to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.

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