Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Jars

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These lemon-blueberry cheesecake jars are a high-protein dessert that combines a creamy, tangy filling with a sweet, fruity twist. Made with reduced-fat cream cheese and part-skim ricotta, these jars are packed with protein while maintaining a rich and velvety texture. Fresh blueberries add natural sweetness, but feel free to use frozen berries in their place.

Recipe image of Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Jars
Credit:

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
4
  • These creamy lemon-blueberry jars take under 30 minutes of active preparation time.
  • Blueberries are rich with antioxidants, which may reduce chronic disease risk.
  • For smooth mixing without clumps, be sure to chill the blueberry mixture before adding the protein powder.

We’ve fallen head over spoon for these Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Jars! They’re a delicious dessert, but with the added bonus of protein to keep you full and satisfied. Each jar is layered with a creamy, tangy filling made with reduced-fat cream cheese and part-skim ricotta, delivering all the flavors of classic cheesecake with less saturated fat. Zesty lemon brightens every bite, while juicy blueberries bring a burst of natural, fruity sweetness. These jars are the perfect sweet bite, so grab a spoon and dive in because we’re sharing all our favorite tips for making this dessert. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • You can make your own plant-based protein powder at home for a more budget-friendly option. Start with 1 cup chia seeds, 1 cup hemp seeds and ¼ cup pumpkin seeds. Place ¼ cup each chia seeds, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds in a spice grinder; pulse just until finely ground, about 10 pulses. Transfer to a bowl or jar; stir to combine. Repeat with 3 more batches to grind the remaining ¾ cup chia seeds and ¾ cup hemp seeds.
  • Frozen blueberries work well here, but because they retain water, you won’t need to add any additional water when making the blueberry filling.
  • It’s important to chill the blueberry mixture before you add the protein powder, especially if you are using store-bought whey protein powder. If added to something hot, it can clump and turn gritty or rubbery.

Nutrition Notes

  • Blueberries are packed with anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Eating more blueberries may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Blueberries are also a good source of fiber, which helps support gut and heart health. 
  • Dairy products like ricotta and cream cheese are an easy way to add protein and calcium to this dessert. Eating foods with these nutrients can help support bone health. Opt for part-skim ricotta instead of full-fat ricotta to reduce the calories and saturated fat while still getting the benefits of the protein. 
Ingredients for lemon blueberry cheesecakes arranged on a surface, including cheese, blueberries, lemons, and bowls of other ingredients

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • cups fresh or frozen blueberries

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided

  • 2 tablespoons plain unsweetened plant-based protein powder

  • ¾ cup reduced-fat cream cheese

  • cups part-skim ricotta cheese

  • 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

  • teaspoons vanilla extract

  • teaspoons grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish

  • 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs

Directions

  1. Combine 1½ cups blueberries, 2 tablespoons water (omit water if using frozen blueberries or store-bought protein powder), 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until most blueberries burst and the mixture thickens and just coats the back of a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl; refrigerate, uncovered, until chilled, about 40 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons protein powder.

    A bowl with a blueberry mixture and a spoon resting inside it, likely for preparing a dessert

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

  2. Beat ¾ cup cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add 1¼ cups ricotta, 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, 1½ teaspoons vanilla, 1½ teaspoons lemon zest and the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice; beat until fully combined, about 45 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Refrigerate, covered, until set and cold, about 30 minutes

    Mixing cheesecake batter in a metal bowl with a spatula, part of preparing lemon blueberry cheesecakes in jars

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

  3. To assemble, spoon ¼ cup cream cheese mixture into each of 4 (8-ounce) jars; top each with about 3 tablespoons blueberry mixture. Spoon ¼ cup cream cheese mixture over each blueberry layer. Sprinkle the jars with 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs. Garnish with additional lemon zest, if desired.

    Dessert jars with layers of cheesecake, blueberry, and crumb topping on a blue surface

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

To make ahead

Refrigerate cream cheese mixture (Step 2)  for up to 4 days. Refrigerate the assembled cheesecake mixture without the graham cracker crumbs for up to 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I freeze these blueberry cheesecake jars?

    You can freeze the blueberry mixture (Step 1) for up to 1 month. We do not recommend freezing the cheesecake mixture or the whole assembled jar.

  • What other fruit can I use?

    Any berry, stone fruit or combination would work well. All fruits vary in the amount of pectin they contain (pectin is what thickens the fruit mixture as it cooks). You may need to add a teaspoon of cornstarch to the fruit mixture to get the right consistency.

  • How would I serve this without using jars?

    You can layer the mixture in 8-ounce ramekins or small bowls instead. If you want to skip the multiple layers, sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs on the bottom of a bowl, add the cream cheese mixture over the crumbs, and spread the blueberry mixture over the top.

EatingWell.com, May 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

321 Calories
17g Fat
24g Carbs
19g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about ¾ cup
Calories 321
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 15g
Added Sugars 8g 16%
Protein 19g 39%
Total Fat 17g 21%
Saturated Fat 9g 47%
Cholesterol 57mg 19%
Vitamin A 187µg
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 4%
Folate 26µg
Vitamin K 11µg
Sodium 248mg 11%
Calcium 307mg 24%
Iron 1mg 4%
Magnesium 37mg 9%
Potassium 254mg 5%
Zinc 2mg 18%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.
and
Alex Loh
Square Headshot of Alex Loh
Alex Loh is EatingWell's food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.