Description
Festive magic sparkles in this Christmas Cheesecake, blending rich cream cheese with holiday spices and a buttery graham cracker crust. Seasonal cheer awaits you in each creamy, indulgent slice that promises to delight family gatherings with classic Christmas comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
- Whipped cream
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 325F (160C) and lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Create the crust by mixing graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, then firmly press the mixture into the pan’s bottom.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate sour cream and blend thoroughly until smooth.
- Gently fold in eggs one at a time, ensuring complete integration into the mixture.
- Separate the batter into three equal portions, leaving one natural and tinting the others red and green using food coloring.
- Layer the plain batter over the prepared crust, then strategically add alternating dollops of red and green batters.
- Delicately swirl the colors using a toothpick or knife to create an artistic marbled pattern.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, watching for set edges and a slightly trembling center.
- After baking, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to rest inside with the door slightly open for 60 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature.
- Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours to ensure proper setting and chilling.
- Finish by adorning with festive whipped cream and holiday sprinkles before serving.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for at least an hour to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing and a creamy texture.
- Prevent cracks by avoiding overmixing the batter and using a water bath during baking can help maintain even heat distribution.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Create vibrant colors using gel food coloring instead of liquid, which provides more intense hues without affecting the cheesecake’s consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 491 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 265 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg