Lemons. Girl Scout cookies. Rekindled friendships. A recipe.

In the Northeast, there comes a day in the summer when bags and bags of zucchini suddenly appear on your doorstep… unannounced and left anonymously. In the Southwest, this happens with citrus fruit. No complaints with either, but this year we caught our friend Judy leaving a huge shopping bag of lemons on our doorstep (limoncello, lemony sauces, lemon zest on everything we can dream of. So many ideas for this wonderful season). This abundance notwithstanding, for our friend Patrick’s birthday, I stopped by his and Jennifer’s home to get yet more lemons from their tree to make his birthday cake. (Stay tuned.)

I was always fortunate to have a dealer — Girl Scout cookie dealer — here in town, but she graduated and is no longer in scouting. Luckily, she told her Grandma (my egg dealer) how I could score some cookies this year. I got hooked up online (yep, they now ship, but also deliver to your doorstep!) and I got my annual Thin Mints (they survived a nanosecond in our house) and Trefoils. While the Thin Mints are for eating out of the box, I use the Trefoils mostly in baking. They make really good crumb crusts. (Stay tuned.)

Markipedia recently reconnected with a friend and former colleague from his time at Old Sturbridge Village, a history museum in Massachusetts. Christie and her husband are writing a book, and Mark is reviewing the manuscript for them. Who better than Markipedia? Eventually, their conversations brought them to gardening and zucchini and lemons. (Do you see where this is going?)

Then came the recipe: Christie’s incredibly lemony and luscious Lemon Soufflé Cheesecake, a favorite that she sometimes makes with one of her grandsons. It is the lightest, most addictive cheesecake I’ve had, and the perfect vehicle to use Pat’s lemons for his birthday cake. Tra-la! 

So, when life gives you lemons, Girl Scout cookies*, rekindled friendships, and a great recipe, I think it’s a sign from the universe that you should make the recipe. Don’t you? * You should always support the Girl Scouts whenever you can!

~ David

Minimally edited from Christie’s original recipe.

38 Comments

  1. Sippitysup

    April 30, 2022 at 4:12 am

    Excess lemons may take over the world but at least we have you battling them one cheesecake at a time! Good work. GREG

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:34 am

      True, and not to mention the curd, limoncello, lemonade, and more…

      Reply
  2. John / Kitchen Riffs

    April 30, 2022 at 7:23 am

    I was just talking to Mrs KR about lemon desserts yesterday. 🙂 I love cheesecake, and I’m a lemon freak. So this is totally my kind of dish. Really nice. BTW, Grasshopper cookies aren’t really identical to Thin Mints, but they’re pretty close. For those times of need. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:35 am

      Thanks, John, I will have to try the grasshopper cookies! (Maybe I shouldn’t know about them?) I hope you and Mrs. KR enjoy the lemony cheesecake!

      Reply
  3. Ronit Penso Tasty Eats

    April 30, 2022 at 8:44 am

    What a gorgeous cake! A combination of my two favorites – lemons and cheese cakes – is what “irresistible” means in my book. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:36 am

      It is a lovely combination, Ronit. Just a perfect ending to a meal.

      Reply
  4. Jill Becker

    April 30, 2022 at 8:44 am

    This will absolutely be the first dessert I bake in my new house. Will use Walker’s shortbread cookies since I have not had Girl Scout cookies in several years. Thanks

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:36 am

      Will the new house have citrus trees? I hope so. Very excited for you and Dave.

      Reply
  5. Jeff the Chef

    April 30, 2022 at 10:35 am

    Wow, this is a must-try. Lemon is one of my favorite flavors. While I don’t live someplace where lemons grow, and so no one leaves them on my doorstep, I can easily buy them by the bag at the grocery. This cheesecake looks so tempting!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:38 am

      I know we are super lucky here to have lemons form the tree — I shouldn’t brag! You should definitely make this, Jeff.

      Reply
  6. Jean | Delightful Repast

    April 30, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    David, I need a slice of this right this minute! And you and I are of like minds on the GS cookies as well; thin mints and trefoils!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:39 am

      Jean — all those newfangled flavors just don’t do it for me. Glad we agree. Wish there here — I give you a slice right away!

      Reply
  7. John

    April 30, 2022 at 1:31 pm

    You’re so well connected with dealers, David. I’m a tad envious! Mind you, if you’d be closer I’d be leaving a stash of saffron milk caps on your doorstep.
    As for this gorgeous, billowy cake, I’d be devouring it a great speed. I love lemon!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:40 am

      Just lucky, but I really do wish I lived near you — those saffron milk caps sound amazing.

      Reply
  8. Eha

    April 30, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    What a smiley story of fruit and friendships ! And what an enticing cake asking to be copied 🙂 ! Bo Girl Scout cookies here and a lemon tree which finally succumbed after six months of bushfire smoke and now endless watering from the heavens. But cheesecake and banana bread being two baked goods I actually do make, your recipe for this delight is already waiting for me in the kitchen – thank you !!!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:41 am

      You must let me know when you’re put this together. Such a delightful cheesecake!

      Reply
  9. My Pinch of Italy

    April 30, 2022 at 10:01 pm

    Saved your recipe and going to make it. I have lots of lemons to use, so this is just the perfect timing 👍🏻

    Reply
  10. Frank | Memorie di Angelina

    May 1, 2022 at 5:37 am

    Doesn’t this look delicious! I adore cheesecake (after all I’m a New Yorker by birth) but truth be told, it can be rather stodgy. This looks like a brighter, lighter take on the classic. Definitely have to give it go!

    And PS: It’s been so many years since I’ve had girl scout cookies I’ve lost count. I don’t think they go door to door selling them the way they used to, do they?

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 1, 2022 at 6:43 am

      You know, Frank, they don’t go door to door any longer in most places. The world is just not safe enough these days. It’s sad. Generally, here in Tucson, we find them (with Mom/Dad/Aunt/Uncle supervision) in front of our grocery stores.

      I know you aren’t a huge dessert fan but this one is pretty special!

      Reply
  11. Fran @ Gdaysouffle

    May 1, 2022 at 7:45 am

    Wow, this cake looks nice and fluffy- more fluffy than the usual cheesecake. makes me want to dive right in. For me, I’ll have to use the Lorna Doone shortbread cookies for the crust. And that reminds me, I recently picked another two dozen lemons from my local library’s orchard (including using a 20-foot pole to reach the lemons way up high). Lemon Souffle’ cheesecake, here I come!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 8, 2022 at 6:00 am

      Mark doesn’t love cheesecake, as it is too dense. But he loves this one! Definitely a good use for some of those lemons, Fran!

      Reply
  12. Gerlinde

    May 2, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    This looks delicious David even though I am not a cheesecake fan but love everything with lemon.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 8, 2022 at 6:01 am

      This is a typical cheesecake, Gerlinde . It’s light and fluffy and we both loved it.

      Reply
  13. Inger

    May 4, 2022 at 9:06 pm

    Gee I think this looks even lighter here than it did on Instagram! You know somehow I think it’s probably more fun to have lemons left on your doorstep than zucchini…

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 8, 2022 at 6:02 am

      I definitely agree with you there, Inger, I’d much rather have citrus fruit on my doorstep than zucchini!

      Reply
  14. Raymund

    May 5, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    That is perfectly souffled, thats also a good use for those girl scout cookied

    Reply
  15. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

    May 5, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    It’s nice to live somewhere where you can find some presents on your doorstep. We only happen to find “presents” left by our hunting cat, but we would definitely prefer a bag of lemons instead haha. Beautiful cheesecake and smart use of the lemons!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 8, 2022 at 6:03 am

      Well, I remember the days when we had a cat and used to get gifts like that. Yes, I would much prefer the lemons! Thanks for your kind comment, Ben!

      Reply
  16. Christina Conte

    May 5, 2022 at 8:57 pm

    What a luscious looking cheesecake! It really was destiny for you to make this, I can see that, David! And I agree, what’s the big deal with cracks in cheesecake? I think they add character, and don’t change the flavor in any way! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 8, 2022 at 6:04 am

      Christina, I remember, even in my youth, being told that cracks in cheesecake were a bad thing. I am so with you… They taste the same whether they have a crack or not!

      Reply
  17. sherry M

    May 5, 2022 at 11:05 pm

    i think lemon is my fave flavour for everything. i always have them in the fridge. and always happy when a neighbour gives me some organic ones. I’m not a cheesecake eater but this looks lovely.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 8, 2022 at 6:05 am

      Mark is definitely not a cheesecake eater, and I’m not thrilled about it. However, this is what I will make over and over because it’s much less a cheesecake and more of a soufflé. and, like you, lemon is my favorite flavor for dessert!

      Reply
  18. Valentina

    May 10, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    Now that’s the best kind of “dealer” to have! A Girl Scout Cookie dealer. That made me laugh out loud. Love this lemon souffle cheesecake! My tiny Meyer lemon tree is full and I keep thinking I should make my dad lemonade, but your cheesecake is now calling to me. 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 12, 2022 at 6:09 am

      I would be so curious to find out what this cheesecake would be like with Meyer lemons! If you make it, Valentina, let me know. It definitely works really well with regular lemons.

      Reply
  19. 2pots2cook

    May 11, 2022 at 1:33 am

    This cheesecake is beyond amazing! We are so familiar with lemons abundance over here too but I cannot say the same for Girl Scouts. However, there are different organizations and initiatives to make good deeds 🙂 anyway it is so great to know we all do our best to make the world a better place, right ? 🙂 Enjoy your day !

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 12, 2022 at 6:12 am

      I think all you need in place of the Girl Scout cookies would be a nice shortbread cookie, Davorka! I really do appreciate organizations that make our world better. 💛

      Reply

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