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Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

  • Ready in 4h
  • 4.4 g net carbs
  • 468 kcal
  • Serves 12
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Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)

This No Bake Keto Lemon Cheesecake is the perfect sugar-free and gluten-free treat for spring, Easter and summer!

The base is made with heart-healthy macadamia nuts and almonds that are toasted in the oven using low heat to preserve the oils and add rich nutty flavor which perfectly compliments the zingy, creamy cheesecake topping! Technically it's not 100% no bake as you'll be roasting the nuts, but this step is optional and you can always use raw nuts instead.

Unlike many no bake cheesecake recipes, there’s no gelatin in this cheesecake topping. The whipped cream combined with mascarpone hold well without the need for gelatin or any other thickener or stabilizer.

Meyer Lemon vs Regular Lemon: What's the Difference?

We're using Meyer lemons in this recipe. Compared to regular lemons, Meyer lemons are more round, have slight orange hue and are less acidic with floral undertones. Meyer lemons are almost like a cross between an orange and regular lemon which makes them perfect for those who prefer a more subtle, less zingy lemon cheesecake.

Meyer lemons are not the only option and you can use regular lemons in this recipe. Depending on your palate, use 1/4 (60 ml) to 1/2 cup (120 ml) of fresh juice, plus zest of 1 to 2 lemons.

Lemon Cheesecake Topping Options

This keto cheesecake is packed full of flavor so you could keep it plain with no topping, or add whipped cream (spread or pipe on top) with slices of lemon just like in the recipe below. Instead of lemon you can even use sliced strawberries or some raspberries, blueberries or blackberries which go well with lemon.

Step-by-step

  1. To roast the nuts, preheat the oven to 140 °C/ 285 °F (fan assisted), or 160 °C/ 320 °F (conventional) and place raw nuts in a baking tray in a single layer. Bake for about 25 minutes until the nuts are light golden, crisp and fragrant.
    Note: Baking the nuts is optional (you can use raw nuts) but it is highly recommended.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
  2. Add the warm nuts to a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the 2 tbsp sweetener (powdered Allulose or Erythritol), butter and vanilla. Process again until it comes together.

  3. Press into springform pan (an 8-inch/20 cm deep springform pan or a 9-inch/23 cm springform pan) lined with parchment paper in the bottom. Place in the fridge while you make the cheesecake layer.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
  4. To make the cheesecake layer, add 2 cups (480 ml) of the heavy cream to a bowl (reserving the remaining 1/2 cup/120 ml for topping). Add the mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese), remaining sweetener (powdered Allulose or Erythritol), lemon juice and lemon zest (use fine zest of 1-2 organic lemons - to taste).
    Note: We are using Meyer lemons which are less acidic than regular lemons. They also have a slight orange hue making them look and taste like a cross between a lemon and an orange. If you use regular lemons, start with 1/4 (60 ml) lemon juice and add up top to 1/2 cup (120 ml), to taste.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
  5. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until smooth and creamy. Add on top of the chilled nut layer and use a spatula to spread evenly.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
  6. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. To release the cheesecake from the pan, run a sharp knife around the edges.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
  7. Beat the remaining 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream until still peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe it all around the edge of the cheesecake. Or you can simply spread the cream on top with a spatula.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
  8. Slice the remaining lemon and cut each slice in half to decorate the top of the cheesecake.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
  9. Serve immediately or chill for an hour. Store in the fridge up to 5 days.

    Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake (keto, sugar-free, grain-free)
Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

Recipe

Low-Carb No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

★★★★★4.7 (201 ratings)

This creamy Keto Meyer Lemon Cheesecake is the perfect sugar-free treat for spring and summer. No baking and ...

Hands on
20m
Overall
4h
Servings
12
4.4 g
Net carbs
5.6 g
Protein
47.3 g
Fat
468
kcal
PinRate

Ingredients makes 1 cheesecake, 12 slices

  • Base:
  • Cheesecake layer:

Instructions

  1. To roast the nuts, preheat the oven to 140 °C/ 285 °F (fan assisted), or 160 °C/ 320 °F (conventional) and place raw nuts in a baking tray in a single layer. Bake for about 25 minutes until the nuts are light golden, crisp and fragrant.
    Note: Baking the nuts is optional (you can use raw nuts) but it is highly recommended.

  2. Add the warm nuts to a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the 2 tbsp sweetener (powdered Allulose or Erythritol), butter and vanilla. Process again until it comes together.

  3. Press into springform pan (an 8-inch/20 cm deep springform pan or a 9-inch/23 cm springform pan) lined with parchment paper in the bottom. Place in the fridge while you make the cheesecake layer.

  4. To make the cheesecake layer, add 2 cups (480 ml) of the heavy cream to a bowl (reserving the remaining 1/2 cup/120 ml for topping). Add the mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese), remaining sweetener (powdered Allulose or Erythritol), lemon juice and lemon zest (use fine zest of 1-2 organic lemons - to taste).
    Note: We are using Meyer lemons which are less acidic than regular lemons. They also have a slight orange hue making them look and taste like a cross between a lemon and an orange. If you use regular lemons, start with 1/4 (60 ml) lemon juice and add up top to 1/2 cup (120 ml), to taste.

  5. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until smooth and creamy. Add on top of the chilled nut layer and use a spatula to spread evenly.

  6. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. To release the cheesecake from the pan, run a sharp knife around the edges.

  7. Beat the remaining 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream until still peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe it all around the edge of the cheesecake. Or you can simply spread the cream on top with a spatula.

  8. Slice the remaining lemon and cut each slice in half to decorate the top of the cheesecake.

  9. Serve immediately or chill for an hour. Store in the fridge up to 5 days.

Nutrition per serving, 1 slice

Carbs 4%Protein 5%Fat 91% of calories

Net carbs
4.4 g
Total carbs
17.2 g
Fiber
1.6 g
Sugars
3.1 g
Protein
5.6 g
Fat
47.3 g
Saturated fat
25.3 g
Calories
468 kcal
Sodium
32 mg · 1.37% RDA
Magnesium
35 mg · 8.74% RDA
Potassium
131 mg · 6.53% EMR
Nutrition by ingredient

Serving size 1 slice

  • Gluten free
  • Egg free
  • Nightshade free
  • Pork free
  • Avocado free
  • Coconut free
  • Fish free
  • Shellfish free
  • Beef free
  • Pescatarian
  • Vegetarian

Comments & ratings (6)

4.7201 ratings
  • 5 ★163
  • 4 ★23
  • 3 ★8
  • 2 ★6
  • 1 ★1

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  1. Emma

    This looks so good! I can't wait to make it this weekend. I might go crust-free and keep it carnivore-ish.

    1. Martina @ KetoDietAuthor

      Great idea! It will hold well together either way 😊

  2. MarryAnn★★★★★

    I made this for a family get-together and it disappeared so fast. The lemon flavor is fresh but not overpowering, and the texture is smooth and creamy without being heavy. What I loved most is that nobody guessed it was low carb 😂 they just asked me for the recipe. It’s nice to have something you can make ahead of time too. This one’s going into my list of desserts I’ll repeat often.

    1. Martina @ KetoDietAuthor

      Thanks so much for sharing that, glad you enjoyed!

  3. Alicia K.★★★★★

    I love how easy it was to make this. So delicious and looks amazing!

    1. Martina @ KetoDietAuthor

      Thank you! ❤️

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