Description
Festive holiday spirits dance through this luxurious Christmas Cheesecake, blending creamy richness with seasonal spices. Smooth cream cheese layers mingle with gentle peppermint notes, promising delightful Christmas cheer you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Base:
- 200 g / 7 oz graham crackers
- 100 g / 3.5 oz unsalted butter
Filling:
- 600 g / 21 oz cream cheese
- 200 g / 7 oz mascarpone cheese
- 150 g / 5.3 oz white sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 30 ml / 2 tbsp heavy cream
Holiday Topping:
- 100 g / 3.5 oz white chocolate
- 50 g / 1.8 oz cranberries
- 30 g / 1 oz pistachios
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Crush graham crackers into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin, creating a sandy texture for the perfect base.
- Melt butter and thoroughly mix with graham cracker crumbs until the mixture resembles wet sand, pressing firmly into a 9-inch springform pan to create an even, compact foundation.
- Refrigerate the crust for 15 minutes to set while preheating the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and mascarpone until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gradually incorporate white sugar, mixing until fully dissolved and the mixture becomes silky.
- Add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition to maintain a consistent texture.
- Stir in vanilla extract and heavy cream, gently folding to create a luxurious, velvety filling.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula to eliminate air pockets.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken.
- Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and allow the cheesecake to cool gradually for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight to set completely.
- Melt white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate over the chilled cheesecake in an artistic pattern.
- Sprinkle chopped pistachios and fresh cranberries across the surface for festive decoration.
- Dust with a blend of powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, adding orange zest for a bright, aromatic finish.
- Slice and serve chilled, embracing the decadent holiday flavors of this show-stopping dessert.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing and even baking consistency.
- Crush graham crackers finely to create a compact, stable crust that won’t crumble when slicing.
- Avoid overmixing the cheesecake batter to prevent incorporating too much air, which can cause cracking during baking.
- Create a water bath by placing the springform pan in a larger pan filled with hot water to ensure even, gentle heating and prevent surface cracks.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie, diabetic-friendly dessert option.
- Garnish with seasonal berries or dairy-free chocolate for personalized festive touches.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg