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Instant Pot Lime Cheesecake

Tangy, sweet, and perfect for summer. This cheesecake won't heat up your kitchen since it "bakes" in the Instant Pot!
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time1 hr 5 mins
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Author: Coco Morante

Ingredients

Crust

  • 8 graham cracker sheets
  • 1 tablespoon turbinado or brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted and cooled

Filling

  • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese At room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (90 grams) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons 45 ml lime juice (from 2 limes)
  • 1 packed tablespoon lime zest finely grated from 2 limes
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • 3 large eggs At room temperature

Topping

  • 1/2 cup 120 ml sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
  • Lime zest and thinly sliced lime for garnish

Instructions

  • Lightly grease the sides of a 7-inch round, 3-inch tall push-pan or 7-inch springform pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Line the base of the pan with an 8-inch round of parchment paper.
  • To make the crust: In a food processor, process the graham crackers to fine crumbs. Add the brown sugar and melted butter. Using 1-second pulses, process until the mixture resembles damp sand.
  • Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer on the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Place the pan in the freezer to allow the crust to firm up a bit while you make the filling. Wipe out the food processor.
  • To make the filling: In the food processor, combine the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, cream, lime juice, lime zest, and cornstarch. Process in about five 1-second pulses, just until smooth (there will still be flecks of lime zest).
  • One at a time, add the eggs, processing for two 1-second pulses after each addition. Do not overprocess the filling, or you will end up with an overly fluffy cheesecake. Using a silicone spatula, gently stir in any large streaks of egg yolk, but it’s fine if a few small streaks remain.
  • Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Tap the pan firmly against the countertop a few times to remove any air bubbles in the filling. If you're using a 3-inch tall pan, cover it tightly with aluminum foil. If you're using a shorter springform pan, leave it uncovered. Place the pan on the OXO Silicone Pressure Cooker Sling.
  • Pour 1 1/2 cups water into the Instant Pot. Holding the handles of the sling, lower it into the pot.
  • Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Cake, Pressure Cook, or Manual setting and set the cooking time for 35 minutes at high pressure. (The pot will take about 10 minutes to come up to pressure before the cooking program begins.)
  • While the cheesecake is cooking, in a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and 1 tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar.
  • When the cooking program ends, let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot and, wearing heat-resistant mitts, grab the handles of the pressure cooker sling, lift the pan out of the pot, and set the pan on a cooling rack.
  • Remove the aluminum foil, then use a paper towel to dab off any condensation that may have settled in the middle of the cake. (The cake will be puffed up and jiggle a bit in the center when it comes out of the pot, but it will settle and set up as it cools. Don’t worry if there are some cracks -- they will settle and recede as the cheesecake deflates, and you’ll be covering the top with sour cream, too.)
  • When the cheesecake has deflated about 1/2 inch (this should take 5 minutes or so), use a spatula to spread the sour cream mixture on top in a smooth, even layer. Let the cheesecake cool on the rack for about 1 hour, then cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • When you’re ready to unmold the cheesecake, run a knife around the sides of the pan. Place a drinking glass on the countertop and place the push pan on top. Gently push down on the collar of the pan, leaving the cake on the bottom round of the pan. Unpeel the parchment from the sides of the cake, then wedge a thin, flexible turner between the parchment and the cheesecake, and use the turner to carefully slide the cake off of the parchment and onto a serving plate.
  • Top the cheesecake with lime zest and slices, then slice and serve.