Lemon cheesecake is a beloved dessert, but not all supermarket versions are created equal. A recent taste test by The Filter evaluated popular store-bought lemon cheesecakes to find the best and worst. The results reveal a wide range in quality, from creamy, tangy delights to disappointing, artificial-tasting duds.
What Makes a Great Lemon Cheesecake?
Traditional lemon cheesecake is simple: cream cheese, whipping cream, sugar, lemon, and a biscuit base made from butter, flour, oats, and sugar. That's eight ingredients max. However, most supermarket versions contain around 24 ingredients, including emulsifiers, acidity regulators, and lemon oil. While all are edible, the best ones offer a wonderful fattiness, tart lemon complexity, and a good biscuit-to-topping ratio. The worst taste of stale biscuits and plastic packaging.
Find Bleeding Edge Supplements at Scandalous Prices on iHerb.
Top Supermarket Lemon Cheesecakes
After tasting numerous options, a few stood out for their quality and flavor. Here are the top picks:
Best Overall: Waitrose No 1 Sicilian Lemon & Mascarpone Cheesecake
Price: £7.50 for 580g (£1.29/100g) | Rating: ★★★★☆
This pale lemon cheesecake features a spoon of lemon marmalade on top and a thick, sweet, firm yet crumbly base. It's dangerously moreish, not too sweet (19.2% sugar), and offers full-fat indulgence with a wonderful bitter lemon edge. It contains no emulsifiers or preservatives, making it a standout choice.
Runner-Up: M&S Collection Lemon & Mascarpone Cheesecake
Price: £7.00 for 550g (£1.27/100g) | Rating: ★★★★☆
This cheesecake boasts a rich, creamy texture with a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. The biscuit base is buttery and holds up well. It's a close second to Waitrose, with a slightly sweeter profile.
Budget Pick: Tesco Finest Lemon Cheesecake
Price: £4.50 for 500g (£0.90/100g) | Rating: ★★★☆☆
For those on a budget, Tesco Finest offers a decent option. It has a good lemon flavor and creamy texture, though the base is a bit thin. It's a solid choice for the price.
Worst Supermarket Lemon Cheesecakes
Not all cheesecakes impressed. Some were overly processed and lacked authentic flavor.
Worst Overall: Asda Lemon Cheesecake
Price: £3.00 for 450g (£0.67/100g) | Rating: ★★☆☆☆
This cheesecake tasted artificial, with a stale biscuit base and a plastic-like aftertaste. The lemon flavor was overpowering and chemical, likely from acidity regulators. It's best avoided.
Runner-Up: Sainsbury's Lemon Cheesecake
Price: £3.50 for 500g (£0.70/100g) | Rating: ★★☆☆☆
While slightly better than Asda, this one had a grainy texture and a base that crumbled too easily. The lemon flavor was muted and lacked freshness.
Comparison Table: Best vs. Worst
| Product | Price | Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waitrose No 1 Sicilian Lemon & Mascarpone | £7.50/580g | ★★★★☆ | Full-fat, bitter lemon edge, no emulsifiers |
| M&S Collection Lemon & Mascarpone | £7.00/550g | ★★★★☆ | Rich, creamy, balanced tartness |
| Tesco Finest Lemon Cheesecake | £4.50/500g | ★★★☆☆ | Good flavor, thin base |
| Asda Lemon Cheesecake | £3.00/450g | ★★☆☆☆ | Artificial taste, stale base |
| Sainsbury's Lemon Cheesecake | £3.50/500g | ★★☆☆☆ | Grainy texture, muted flavor |
Key Takeaways
- Waitrose offers the best overall lemon cheesecake with authentic flavor and quality ingredients.
- Budget options like Tesco Finest provide decent value but may compromise on texture.
- Avoid Asda and Sainsbury's if you want a natural-tasting cheesecake.
- Check ingredient lists—fewer additives often mean better taste.
- Full-fat versions tend to have richer, more satisfying flavors.
FAQ
What is the best supermarket lemon cheesecake?
Based on taste tests, Waitrose No 1 Sicilian Lemon & Mascarpone Cheesecake is the best overall, praised for its full-fat indulgence and bitter lemon edge.
Are supermarket lemon cheesecakes healthy?
Most are ultra-processed with many additives. They should be enjoyed in moderation as a treat, not for health benefits.
Why do some lemon cheesecakes taste artificial?
Artificial taste often comes from acidity regulators, lemon oil, and other additives used to mimic fresh lemon flavor. Cheesecakes with fewer additives tend to taste more natural.
When choosing a supermarket lemon cheesecake, opt for ones with simpler ingredient lists and higher fat content for the best flavor. While Waitrose leads the pack, other premium options like M&S are also excellent. Avoid budget versions that compromise on quality. Remember, a great lemon cheesecake should be creamy, tangy, and made with real ingredients.
Browse the Shop
Acacia frida deluxe solid wood bed frame |
Bedroom bench |
Bed chest drawers |
Lingerie dresser |
Frame base |
Mirror with jewelry storage |
30 Bathroom Vanity |
Memory foam queen mattress |
Mattresses for back pain |
Nightstand set of 2 |
Grand Goldman Shop |
Civil Lawyer
Deutschland Trikot WM 2026
