Blackberry Lemon Cheesecake

Prep Time: 45 mins | Cook Time: 55 mins | Course: Dessert | Serves: 10

Blackberry and lemon layered cheesecake gets a sweetened sour cream topping. This ombre-style cheesecake looks as delicious as it tastes. Inspired by John Besh https://www.today.com/food/lemon-blackberry-cheesecake-1D80249346 

Crust: 

9 oz favorite cookie, or graham crackers

½ cup almonds

5 Tbsp butter, melted

Filling:

3 8-oz pkgs cream cheese, softened 

1 cup sugar 

3 eggs 

1 Tbsp vanilla 

1 cup sour cream 

1 Tbsp cornstarch 

1 lemon, zested and juiced

Berry Puree:

12 oz blackberries

¼ cup sugar 

1 Tbsp cornstarch 

Sour Cream Topping:

1 ½ cups sour cream

⅓ cup sugar

In a food processor, pulse cookies and almonds into crumbs until fine. Add melted butter and pulse until well-mixed. Press cookie crumbs into a 9-inch springform pan, using the bottom of a flat cup press the cookie crumbs up the side evenly.

Preheat the oven to 325°. Line the springform pan with tinfoil so that it is watertight. In a stand mixer beat cream cheese, and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber scraper, then add sour cream, cornstarch, lemon zest, and juice, mixing well. 

Divide half of the batter into another bowl. Put blackberries, sugar, and cornstarch into a blender and purée. Press purée through a sieve to remove seeds over one of the bowls of batter. Stir the purée into the cheesecake batter. Pour the blackberry batter into the springform pan over the cookie crumbs.

Spread the remaining lemon batter on top of the blueberry layer. Place cheesecake in a larger pan or baking dish and fill halfway up the side with water. Bake for 55 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside the oven for one hour, then remove from the oven and allow it to cool in the refrigerator.

Mix sour cream and sugar together. Spread an even layer over the cooled cheesecake. When ready to serve, run a knife around the outside edge of the springform pan and remove the outside edge of the pan.