Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, sugar, and finely chopped pistachios until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to create a solid crust. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract, lemon juice, lime juice, lemon zest, and lime zest.
Baking
- Pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until edges are set but center is slightly jiggly.
- Turn off the oven and let cheesecake cool inside with the door slightly ajar for one hour. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Cherry Topping
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine fresh cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook until cherries release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the cherry mixture, stirring until it thickens (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Assembly
- Once the cheesecake is chilled and firm, spread the cherry topping over the top of the cheesecake before serving. Garnish with additional pistachios if desired.
Notes
For a richer flavor, consider mixing cream cheese with mascarpone. A hint of almond extract adds a lovely nutty undertone. Substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream is also an option.
