A holiday meal isn't complete without cheesecake! I've got 15 recipes here including New York style, peppermint, eggnog and salted caramel for all the holiday cheesecakes. Choose one (or three, we won't tell you) and prepare for the joy in the air cheesecake brings everyone!
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1) Classic New York Cheesecake
This is the gold standard. The height, density, and creaminess is a benchmark to which all other slices will be compared to in silence.
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Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the crumbs mixed with butter into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until completely smooth and lump-free.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Pour over the crust and bake 65-70 minutes until the edges set and center barely jiggles.
- Turn off the oven and let it cool inside with the door cracked for an hour.
- Chill at least 6 hours, ideally overnight, before slicing.
Notes
2) No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake
You don't need an oven, and they have a delightful peppermint flavor that will make you think of Christmas!
Ingredients
Method
- Press the cookie crumbs and butter into a springform pan and chill while you work.
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks.
- Fold the whipped cream and peppermint extract into the cream cheese mixture.
- Fold in most of the candy canes, then spread over the crust.
- Chill at least 6 hours until firm, then top with remaining candy canes.
Notes
3) Eggnog Cheesecake
I couldn't think of a more delicious note to bid my coffee mate adieu than with a thick, creamy, luscious cheesecake.
Recipe and photo credit: Living the Gourmet.
Get the full recipe at Living the Gourmet.
4) Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
The combination of deep chocolate and bright raspberry feels romantic each time they are paired together.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the cookie crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then blend in the melted chocolate.
- Add the eggs one at a time until the batter is glossy.
- Pour over the crust, then dollop raspberry preserves on top and swirl with a knife.
- Bake 60-65 minutes until set, then cool in the oven with the door cracked.
- Chill at least 6 hours and crown with fresh raspberries before serving.
Notes
5) Gingerbread Crust Cheesecake
The crust is clearly the star of the show! It has that strong gingerbread flavor, and the spice cuts through the sweetness of the filling incredibly well.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the gingerbread crumbs and butter into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until perfectly smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, vanilla, and ginger.
- Pour the batter over the crust and smooth the top.
- Bake 60-65 minutes until the center is just set with a slight wobble.
- Cool gently, then chill at least 6 hours before slicing.
Notes
6) Spiced Cranberry Cheesecake
There is a nice balance in the richness and the warmth of the spices and the tartness of the cranberry.
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Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
- Pour over the crust and bake 60-65 minutes until just set.
- Simmer cranberries with 1/2 cup sugar and a splash of water until they burst and thicken.
- Cool the cheesecake in the oven with the door cracked, then chill 6 hours.
- Spoon the cooled cranberry compote over the top before serving.
Notes
7) Orange Liqueur Cheesecake
Bright citrus and a hint of orange liqueur makes this one feel a bit more sophisticated and glamorous.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in the orange liqueur, zest, and sour cream until silky.
- Pour over the crust and bake 60-65 minutes until just set.
- Cool slowly in the oven with the door ajar to avoid cracks.
- Chill at least 6 hours, then garnish with extra zest before serving.
Notes
8) Turtle Cheesecake
Just look at those layers of caramel, chocolate, and pecans! This dessert shamelessly does not hold back.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the cookie crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
- Pour over the crust and bake 60-65 minutes until the center is just set.
- Cool in the oven with the door cracked, then chill at least 6 hours.
- Drizzle the chilled cheesecake generously with caramel and chocolate sauce.
- Shower the top with toasted pecans right before serving.
Notes
9) Amaretto Cheesecake
There is an elegant touch to each creamy bite with its hint of almond.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the cookie crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
- Blend in the amaretto and almond extract until silky.
- Pour over the crust and bake 60-65 minutes until just set.
- Cool gently in the oven, then chill at least 6 hours.
- Scatter toasted sliced almonds over the top before serving.
Notes
10) Irish Cream Cheesecake
This cake is smooth and boozy and a bit luxurious so it's the perfect treat to keep for after the kids go to sleep.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the cookie crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in the Irish cream, sour cream, and cocoa until evenly blended.
- Pour over the crust and bake 60-65 minutes until just set.
- Cool slowly in the oven with the door cracked.
- Chill at least 6 hours, then dust with cocoa before serving.
Notes
11) White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake
Imagine a candy cane, but even better! The white chocolate is creamy and the refreshing peppermint is even more delicious.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then blend in the melted white chocolate.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the peppermint extract.
- Pour over the crust and bake 60-65 minutes until just set.
- Cool in the oven with the door cracked, then chill at least 6 hours.
- Scatter crushed candy canes over the top just before serving.
Notes
12) Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
Cheesecake and pumpkin pie? That's two of the top fall desserts swirled together into one beautiful pie!
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time and the vanilla.
- Pour about two-thirds of the batter over the crust.
- Stir pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice into the remaining batter, then dollop it on top.
- Drag a knife through to create swirls, then bake 65-70 minutes until just set.
- Cool gently in the oven, then chill at least 6 hours before slicing.
Notes
13) Salted Caramel Cheesecake
I love the pure dessert drama of sweet and salty caramel running down the side.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in the sour cream until silky, then pour over the crust.
- Bake 60-65 minutes until the center is just set, then cool in the oven with the door cracked.
- Chill at least 6 hours until completely firm.
- Pour salted caramel over the top and finish with a pinch of flaky salt before serving.
Notes
14) Red Velvet Cheesecake
The vivid red cut against white cream cheese frosting is almost made for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the cookie crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in the cocoa, red food coloring, and vanilla until the batter is deep red.
- Pour over the crust and bake 60-65 minutes until just set.
- Cool slowly in the oven with the door cracked.
- Chill at least 6 hours, then swirl the prepared cream cheese frosting over the top before serving.
Notes
15) Chestnut Cheesecake Splendor
The sweet and nutty flavor of chestnut provides a cozy and old-world taste that you don't see with every flavor.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 325F and press the crust into a springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then blend in the chestnut puree.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the cream and vanilla.
- Pour over the crust and bake 65-70 minutes until just set in the center.
- Cool slowly in the oven with the door cracked.
- Chill at least 6 hours, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.
