Gordon Ramsay’s lemon meringue cheesecake is a layered dessert that starts with a buttery biscuit crust, followed by a creamy lemon cheesecake filling, and finished with a light Italian or Swiss-style meringue. The meringue is either torched or baked lightly for a golden finish, giving you texture and flavor in every bite.
200g digestive biscuits or graham crackers, crushed
100g unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
500g full-fat cream cheese, softened
200g sour cream
3 large eggs
150g caster sugar
Zest of 2 lemons
Juice of 2 lemons
1 tablespoon cornflour or all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large egg whites
150g caster sugar
½ teaspoon cream of tartar or lemon juice (for stability)
Preheat oven: Set to 160°C (320°F). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
Make the crust: Combine crushed biscuits with melted butter and sugar. Press into the base of the pan and chill for 15 minutes.
Prepare the filling: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, lemon zest, juice, vanilla, and flour. Blend until smooth but not overmixed.
Bake the cheesecake: Pour the filling over the chilled crust. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the center has a slight wobble. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool inside with the door slightly open.
Chill thoroughly: Once at room temperature, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Make the meringue: In a clean, dry bowl, whisk egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and cream of tartar, whisking until stiff, glossy peaks form.
Top and toast: Spoon or pipe the meringue over the chilled cheesecake. Use a kitchen torch to lightly brown the peaks, or bake at 200°C (390°F) for 4–5 minutes until golden.
Cool and serve: Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Store any leftovers in the fridge.