Perfectly Crisp Lemon Cheesecake: Secrets to the Best Cheesecake

💡 **Serving Suggestions and Ideas**

Imagine serving this cheesecake at your next family gathering, picnic, or elegant dinner party. The hint of lemon zest in both the base and topping gives it a fresh, zesty touch, which makes for an irresistible bite every time.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 **Family Celebrations:** Why not make it the centerpiece of your dessert table? Add a sprinkle of edible flowers or a few fresh berries on top for a burst of color.

🌳 **Picnic Perfect:** Pack the cheesecake in individual serving sizes using mason jars. This not only looks charming but is also extremely convenient.

✨ **Elegant Dinners:** Serve with a drizzle of raspberry coulis or a side of fresh fruit. The sweetness of the coulis pairs beautifully with the tangy lemon flavor.

🧁 **Just Because:** Sometimes you don’t need an occasion to indulge. Pair a slice with your afternoon tea or coffee and make any day feel special.

💚 **Gluten-Free Variation:**

Swap the regular flour in the crumble with a gluten-free blend. Make sure the one you choose is a 1:1 replacement to maintain the texture. Rice flour or almond flour could work well here too!

🌱 **Vegan Variation:**

Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use vegan cream cheese for the base. Instead of eggs, you can use flaxseed meal mixed with water (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg). For the meringue, aquafaba (chickpea water) can be whipped to form peaks just like egg whites.