Description
Red Velvet Cheesecake is a luxurious and comforting dessert that perfectly blends the velvety flavor of classic red velvet cake with the rich, creamy indulgence of cheesecake. This elegant and eye-catching dessert is perfect for celebrations or a cozy night in, featuring a moist graham cracker or cake crumb crust and a smooth cream cheese filling infused with subtle cocoa notes and vibrant red color.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs or red velvet cake crumbs
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1/2 cup sour cream or heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Start by crushing graham crackers or red velvet cake crumbs and mixing them with melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press this evenly into your pan’s bottom to create a sturdy, flavorful base. Chill it while preparing the filling to ensure it sets firmly.
- Mix the Cream Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in cocoa powder, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and sour cream or heavy cream to achieve that signature velvety texture and color.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the filling over the chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake the cheesecake at 325°F (165°C) until the edges are set but the center still has a slight wobble. This slow baking ensures a creamy interior without cracks, approximately 50 to 60 minutes.
- Cool and Chill: Let the cheesecake cool gradually at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the texture to solidify beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once chilled, slice carefully with a warm knife and serve as is or with your favorite garnishes for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth batter and prevent lumps.
- Do not overbeat the batter to avoid incorporating too much air which can cause cracks during baking.
- Bake the cheesecake in a water bath by wrapping the pan and placing it in a larger pan with water to maintain moisture and silky texture.
- Warm your knife under hot water before slicing for cleaner, neater pieces.
- Chill the cheesecake overnight for the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: red velvet cheesecake, cheesecake dessert, red velvet dessert, creamy cheesecake, holiday dessert, celebration dessert