To Make Lemon Cheesecakes
Learn about this recipe from our Historic Foodways staff, then try it at home.
The word cheesecake conjures up a lot of types and tastes. Those familiar with chess pies will find its mate with these lemony filled, flaky crust delights.
Learn how we make this recipe in our kitchens based on the 18th-century description below, then use our 21st-century translation to try the recipe at home!
Watch How It's Made
18th Century
Take the peel of two large lemons, boil it very tender; then pound it well in a mortar, with a quarter of a pound or more of loaf-sugar, the yolks of six eggs, and half a pound of fresh butter, and a little curd beat fine; pound and mix all together, lay a puff-paste in your patty-pans...
— Hannah Glasse, “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy“ 1796.
21st Century
Ingredients
- 2 large lemons
- 4 oz. white sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 2 sticks of butter, melted
- 4oz. of cream cheese
- Puff pastry (store-bought or home-made)
Instructions
- Peel the lemons avoiding the white part (or pith) as much as possible.
- Boil the peels in water until soft.
- Beat them in a food processer until mushy.
- Add the sugar, yolks of eggs and melted butter and blend thoroughly.
- Blend in the cream cheese until all is smooth.
- Place the puff pastry into several tin molds like little pies.
- Spoon the mixture into the pastry shells about half-way up.
- Bake these in a 375° oven for approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are golden and firm like baked custards.
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