This Blackberry Cheesecake is ultra creamy, swirled with tangy blackberry sauce, and baked on a lemon Oreo crust for an extra burst of flavor. We use a fool-proof and easy water bath method to make a perfectly flat cheesecake with no cracks and no burnt sides… ever! It’s truly a 5-star cheesecake that’s great for entertaining and making ahead.
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If you’re in need of a new stunning and delicious cheesecake, you’ve found it friends! This Blackberry Cheesecake recipe is decadently smooth with a gorgeous blackberry swirl and bright lemon Oreo crust. It’s a combination of Handle the Heat’s cheesecake and our very own White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake (which is another must-try dessert!).
Fair warning - this is an image heavy post. But I want you to be super successful, so I’ve included pictures of each step along the way. I’ve also included lots of tips and tricks throughout so that your cheesecake will turn out perfectly every time! For a condensed list of the most important tips, check out the Tips & Tricks section right above the recipe.
🏅 Why this recipe is great
- First things first, it tastes AMAZING. Lemon blackberry cheesecake is perfect for spring and summer. It’s creamy as can be, not overly sweet, and did I mention the lemon crust? It’s truly the perfect complement to the tangy blackberries.
- NO CRACKS! I know water baths can be annoying… but I use an easy and fail-proof method to ensure that you get zero cracks and NO soggy crust.
- Cheesecake is fantastic for making ahead and even freezing. So you can have Mother’s Day or Easter dessert ready to go.
🍋 Ingredients
A full list of the ingredients is in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips:
Blackberries: We use frozen blackberries because the store has them all year round, plus they tend to taste better if it’s not berry season. But you can definitely use fresh instead.
Lemon Oreos: You can make a graham cracker crust instead, but the lemon blackberry combo is delicious!
Cream cheese: It is essential that the cream cheese be at room temperature before using. It should dent very easily when pressed with a spoon.
Eggs: These should also be room temp. Leave them on the counter or set them in a bowl and cover with warm water for about 10 minutes.
Sour cream: Again, this must be fully at room temperature before using, so take it out of the fridge early.
🔪 How to make Blackberry Cheesecake
Water Bath
I know, I know… water baths are not the most loved. But I promise it makes a HUGE difference in the final result. The secret to making water baths both easy and effective is to use slow cooker liners! They keep the water out but withstand the heat perfectly.
- Prep the pan: Take one large piece of parchment and lay it over the circular bottom of the springform pan. Then set the outside rim on top, press it firmly down over the circular bottom, and clamp it shut. You can easily fold the extra parchment underneath the pan or trim it off. Then spray lightly with baking spray.
- Wrap in foil: Lay two pieces of foil on the counter to form a + sign. Set the pan in the center and wrap the foil tightly up the sides of the pan.
- Wrap in slow cooker liner: Next, set the pan inside a slow cooker liner. Pull all the excess liner to one side, making sure the liner goes all the way to the top of the pan (or even slightly over the edges). Twist the liner tightly, then secure with a binder clip (yes, these are oven safe. This is a tip we learned from Martha Stewart).
Lemon Crust
- Combine: Add the lemon Oreos, sugar, melted butter, and zest to a food processor. Pulse it until the cookies are mostly fine crumbs (it should look like wet sand).
- Press into pan: Using your hands or a tamper, press the crust into the prepared pan. I press the sides up first, about 1-1.5 inches tall. Then I press the bottom in firmly.
Blackberry Sauce
- Cook: Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until it is pretty thick (5-6 minutes). Use the back of a spoon to crush the blackberries until the sauce is evenly chunky.
- Strain: Pour sauce through a mesh strainer to remove any lumps and seeds. The resulting sauce should be smooth and glossy. Set aside.
Cheesecake Batter
- Boil water: Start a large pot of water on the stove to boil for the water bath.
- Beat cream cheese: In a stand mixer or with hand beaters, beat the cream cheese on medium-low speed until very smooth. Scrape well with a rubber spatula.
- Add sugar: Add the sugar, then beat again on medium-low until very smooth. Scrape well.
- Add sour cream: Next add the sour cream and lemon zest, mixing on low until just combined.
- Add eggs: One at a time, add the eggs and combine on LOW speed until just combined. Scrape well between each addition and do not overmix.
Assemble
- Batter: Pour half of the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust.
- Blackberry sauce: Drizzle 3 tablespoons of blackberry sauce over the top of the batter.
- Batter: Add the remaining half of the batter gently to avoid pushing all the sauce to the edges.
- Sauce: Drizzle another 3 tablespoons of sauces on top, being sure to go all the way to the edge of the pan.
- Swirl: Using a skewer or toothpick, swirl the blackberry sauce using small circular motions until it looks like desired. Only swirl the top ½ inch of batter.
Bake
- Add water: Place the cheesecake into a large baking tray. Place the tray into the hot oven, then pour the boiling water into the large tray until it reaches about half way up the side of the springform pan.
- Bake: Close the door and bake for 80-95 minutes, or until the top is dry, edges are set, and the center is somewhat jiggly like jello.
- Open the door: Turn off the oven, crack the door about an inch, and allow to cool for 1 hour.
- Continue cooling: Remove the pan from the oven and take the cheesecake out of the water bath, liner, and foil. Dab up any moisture or yellow oils from the Oreos, then set the cheesecake on a cooling rack and allow to come to room temperature for 2-4 hours.
- Refrigerate: Leave the cheesecake in the pan and refrigerate until cold, 4-5 hours. Once cold, remove from the springform pan and serve with remaining blackberry sauce.
👨👩👧👦 For a crowd
Cheesecake is a great crowd pleaser. Blackberry Cheesecake in particular is a rich dessert, so small slices go a long way. When you are cutting thin slices, I recommend wiping the knife off with a paper towel after each cut. This helps prevent large chunks from breaking off the thin pieces. Plus it keeps the blackberry swirls pretty.
🙋 Questions and Answers
Cheesecakes crack for three main reasons:
1. Too much air in the batter: Mix the cheesecake batter on medium-low speed at first, and only on low speed after you add the eggs. Eggs incorporate air easier, so mix the batter until the eggs are just combined, then stop.
2. Over cooked: See my section below about how to know when your cheesecake is done.
3. Cooled too fast: To prevent this, use the progressive cooling timeline listed in the recipe card, which involves leaving the oven cracked, cooling at room temperature, then refrigerating.
If your cheesecake does have cracks, don’t fret too much! You can leave it as is, or you can always cover the top with blackberry sauce sauce, lemon twists, or whip cream. Cracks can always be disguised. 😊
Using a water bath isn’t 100% necessary, but it does have a HUGE impact on the final result. I highly recommend it. If you don’t want to use a water bath, try out this recipe for White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake instead. Just know that the edges may be brown and the top won’t be perfectly flat.
Knowing when cheesecake is done can be a bit tricky… every oven is different, so the key is to start checking it at the lower end of the cooking range, and then look for visual cues. The edges will be set and firm, and the top will be dry. The middle of the cheesecake will still be jiggly - not sloshy or liquidy, but not firm either (like jello).
Once you see those visual cues, stop baking it. It is very important not to over bake because it will continue to cook as it cools. If at any point you see small cracks forming, stop baking immediately.
Absolutely! Freezing your cheesecake is a wonderful option if you want to make it ahead for a party, bridal shower, Easter, Mother’s Day, or similar event. It is also a great option for leftover cheesecake that you don’t want to go to waste.
You can freeze the whole blackberry cheesecake or individual slices. Either way, completely cool and refrigerate your cheesecake as directed before freezing. Then place it on a cookie sheet and freeze unwrapped for 2-3 hours. This ensures that the cheesecake won’t be dented or otherwise ruined when you wrap it. Then wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of tinfoil. Freeze for 1-2 months.
👨🏼🍳 Top tips & tricks
- Start with truly softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in the batter. The best way to soften it is to leave it on the counter until it is room temperature and very easily dents when pressed with a spoon or finger. If it feels slightly firm or cold it’s not ready yet.
- Make sure the cream cheese is beaten until very smooth before adding the eggs. If there are lumps before adding the eggs it will be difficult to remove them.
- Don’t over mix the batter - this is key! Keep the mixer on medium-low before adding the eggs, and only on low after the eggs have been added. If you mix on a higher speed or for too long, it will add air to the batter and cause cracks during the baking.
- Avoid over baking the cheesecake. Over baked cheesecake is dry, cracked, and very brown. Your cheesecake is done when the edges are set and firm, the top is dry, and the middle is still jiggly like jello.
- To avoid cracks, cool your cheesecake progressively as described in the recipe card. Fast changes in temperature cause cracks.
📖 More dessert recipes
- Similar to Blackberry cheesecake, this White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake has the most perfect flavor combo! Plus it’s made without a water bath for an easier process.
- Feeding a crowd? This Mini Fruit Pizza Bar is a fun and tasty treat that rarely has leftovers.
- For a classic dessert that fits every occasion, try the best Chocolate Bundt Cake. Moist, rich, and covered in delicious ganache!
- All summer weekends need this Moist Orange Loaf Cake. Just bursting with fresh orange flavor, it's one of the best loaf cakes you'll ever make.
👋 Connect with us!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food!
📋 Recipe
Blackberry Cheesecake
Equipment
- 9" springform pan
- Slow cooker liners
Ingredients
Blackberry Sauce
- 10 oz frozen blackberries
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp sugar
Lemon Crust
- 35 lemon Oreos
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- 5 tbsp butter melted
Cheesecake
- 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese softened
- 1¼ cups sugar
- ⅔ cups sour cream room temperature
- 1 lemon zested
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 4 eggs room temperature
Instructions
Prepare Pan for Water Bath
- Preheat the oven to 325°.
- Take one large piece of parchment and lay it over the circular bottom of a 9" springform pan. Then set the outside rim on top, press it firmly down over the circular bottom, and clamp it shut. You can easily fold the extra parchment underneath the pan or trim it off. Spray lightly with baking spray.
- Lay two pieces of foil on the counter to form a + sign. Set the pan in the center and wrap the foil tightly up the sides of the pan.
- Set the pan inside a slow cooker liner. Pull all the excess liner to one side, making sure the liner goes all the way to the top of the pan (or even slightly over the edges). Twist the liner tightly, then secure with a binder clip (yes, these are oven safe).
Blackberry Sauce
- Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until it is pretty thick (5-6 minutes). Use the back of a spoon to crush the blackberries until the sauce is evenly chunky.
- Pour sauce through a mesh strainer to remove any lumps and seeds. The resulting sauce should be smooth and glossy. Set aside to cool.
Lemon Crust
- Combine: Add the lemon Oreos, sugar, melted butter, and zest to a food processor. Pulse it until the cookies are mostly fine crumbs (they may be some slightly chunky pieces still. It should look like wet sand). Press into pan: Using your hands or a tamper, press the crust into the prepared pan. I press the sides up first, about 1-1.5 inches tall. Then I press the bottom in firmly.
- Add the lemon Oreos, sugar, melted butter, and zest to a food processor. Pulse it until the cookies are mostly fine crumbs (There may be some slightly chunky pieces still. It should look like wet sand).
- Using your hands or a tamper, press the crust into the prepared pan. Press the sides up first, about 1-1.5 inches tall. Then press the bottom in firmly.
Cheesecake
- Start a large pot of water on the stove to boil. The total amount depends on the pan you use for the water bath. I boil a large pot to ensure I have enough.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or with hand beaters, beat the cream cheese on medium-low speed until very smooth. Scrape well with a rubber spatula.
- Add the sugar, then beat again on medium-low until very smooth. Scrape well.
- Add the sour cream and lemon zest, mixing on low until just combined.
- One at a time, add the eggs and combine on LOW speed until just combined. Scrape well between each addition and do not overmix.
Assembly
- Pour half of the cheesecake batter onto the prepared crust. Using a spoon, drizzle 3 tablespoons of blackberry sauce onto the batter. Add remaining cheesecake batter and drizzle another 3 tablespoons of sauce on top, being sure to bring the sauce to the edges. Using a wooden skewer or toothpick, swirl the top ½ inch of the batter with small circular motions until desired swirl is reached.
Bake
- Place the cheesecake into a large baking tray. Place the tray into the hot oven, then pour the boiling water into the large tray until it reaches about half way up the side of the springform pan.
- Bake for 80-95 minutes, or until the top is dry, edges are set, and the center is somewhat jiggly like jello. If you want to test with a thermometer, the center should register 150°.
- Turn off the oven and crack the door about an inch, leaving a wooden spoon or oven mitt to hold it open if needed. Allow to cool for 1 hour.
- Remove the pan from the oven and take the cheesecake out of the water bath. Gently remove the slow cooker liner and foil. Dab up any moisture or yellow oils from the Oreos (some moisture and oil is normal inside the liner). Set the cheesecake on a cooling rack and allow to come to room temperature for 2-4 hours.
- Leave the cheesecake in the pan and refrigerate until cold, 4-5 hours. Once cold, remove from the springform pan and serve with remaining blackberry sauce.
Notes
- Start with truly softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in the batter. The best way to soften it is to leave it on the counter until it is room temperature and very easily dents when pressed with a spoon or finger. If it feels slightly firm or cold it’s not ready yet.
- Make sure the cream cheese is beaten until very smooth before adding the eggs. If there are lumps before adding the eggs it will be difficult to remove them.
- Don’t over mix the batter - this is key! Keep the mixer on medium-low before adding the eggs, and only on low after the eggs have been added. If you mix on a higher speed or for too long, it will add air to the batter and cause cracks during the baking.
- Avoid over baking the cheesecake. Over baked cheesecake is dry, cracked, and very brown. Your cheesecake is done when the edges are set and firm, the top is dry, and the middle is still jiggly like jello.
- To avoid cracks, cool your cheesecake progressively as described in the recipe card. Fast changes in temperature cause cracks.
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Sara Smitn says
I have NEVER made a cheesecake before - ever! I read this recipe and knew I just had to try it. Berries and lemon - a combination that can’t be beat. I was intimidated though. However the directions and tips in this recipe were spot on and so very detailed and helpful. My cheesecake came out amazing and the whole family loved it at our Easter lunch!! I will definitely be making this again - especially since I can freeze it and enjoy one slice at a time whenever I’m in the mood! 😁
Danielle says
This is a favorite combination of ours as well, and so very happy to hear that all the tips were helpful! Having some in the freezer sounds dangerous!😉 If I were you I would be sure to label the slices "kale" to keep the rest of the family away.😆