Description

Celebrate the festive season with these rich and creamy Cheesecake Christmas recipes, blending classic holiday flavors like cinnamon, cranberries, and peppermint. Perfect for any holiday occasion, these cheesecakes offer both baked and no-bake options, simple preparation, and impressive presentation to add a sweet sparkle to your celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs or digestive biscuits (or gluten-free alternative like almond flour)
6 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar

Cheesecake Filling

24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, softened (or plant-based alternative for vegan)
1 cup granulated or powdered sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup heavy cream or sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon peppermint or almond extract (optional)

Festive Add-ins

1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries or cherries
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons cocoa powder or melted chocolate (optional for chocolate twist)
Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or pistachios) for crust or topping (optional)

Garnishes

Fresh cranberries
Chocolate shavings
Whipped cream
Festive sprinkles
Mint sprigs
Edible gold dust
Caramel or chocolate sauce drizzle

Instructions

Prepare the crust: Crush your choice of cookies or graham crackers finely and mix with melted butter and a pinch of sugar. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your springform pan to create an even base that will hold the cheesecake filling perfectly.
Whip the filling: Beat softened cream cheese with sugar until silky smooth. Then, add eggs one at a time, blending well. Fold in heavy cream or sour cream along with your chosen extracts and spices, ensuring the mixture is well combined but not overmixed to avoid cracks.
Incorporate festive flavors: Gently mix in chopped dried fruits, zest, or chocolate swirls depending on the variation you want. This step personalizes your cheesecake Christmas and adds those delightful seasonal notes.
Bake or chill: For baked cheesecakes, pour the filling onto the crust and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 50-60 minutes until the edges are set but the center slightly jiggles. For no-bake versions, pour the mixture into the crust and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up.
Cool and garnish: Allow your cheesecake to cool completely before removing from the pan. Top with fresh cranberries, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, or festive sprinkles to give it that holiday sparkle and extra flavor pop.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese and room temperature eggs for a smooth, lump-free filling.
Do not overbake; a slight jiggle in the center ensures perfect setting as it cools.
Bake in a water bath to prevent cracking and maintain a moist texture.
Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best texture and flavor.
Dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe clean between slices for perfect, clean cuts.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking or No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of cheesecake)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 28 g
Sodium: 220 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg

Keywords: Christmas cheesecake, holiday dessert, festive cheesecake, no-bake cheesecake, cranberry cheesecake, peppermint cheesecake, gluten-free cheesecake