Festive Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Dessert lovers rejoice!

This decadent cranberry cheesecake recipe promises a harmonious blend of tangy and creamy flavors that will delight your taste buds.

The vibrant crimson cranberries nestled within a velvety smooth cheesecake create an irresistible visual and gustatory experience.

Rich cream cheese forms the luxurious base of this elegant dessert, while tart cranberries provide a delightful contrast.

Every slice offers a perfect balance of sweetness and brightness that makes this cheesecake stand out from ordinary desserts.

The simple yet sophisticated preparation ensures even novice bakers can achieve professional-looking results.

Serve this show-stopping treat at your next gathering and watch as guests marvel at your culinary skills.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 13

Cranberry Cheesecake Ingredient List

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crunchy, sweet foundation that adds texture and stability to the cheesecake.
• Melted Butter: Binds the crumbs together, creating a solid and flavorful crust that holds the cake perfectly.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers rich, smooth texture and tangy flavor, forming the heart of the cheesecake.
• Sour Cream: Adds silky consistency and subtle tang, enhancing the overall creaminess.
• Sugar: Balances the tanginess and provides sweetness to the filling.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent, helping the cheesecake set and creating a light, airy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, classic flavor that complements the cream cheese.
• Almond Extract: Brings a delicate, nutty undertone that elevates the dessert's complexity.

• Fresh Cranberries: Offers bright, tart burst of flavor and vibrant color contrast.
• Sugar: Sweetens and softens the cranberries, creating a balanced sauce.
• Water: Helps create a syrupy consistency for the cranberry topping.

Tools for Making a Festive Cranberry Cheesecake

• Stand Mixer or Electric Handheld Mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese to silky smoothness and mixing ingredients quickly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining cream cheese, sugar, and eggs while ensuring a lump-free batter.
• Springform Pan (9-inch): Crucial for creating the classic cheesecake shape and easy removal.
• Saucepan (Medium): Needed for preparing the cranberry sauce with precision.
• Spatula: Great for scraping bowl sides and smoothing out cheesecake batter.
• Roasting Dish: Helps create a water bath for even baking and preventing cracks.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Thin Knife: Useful for loosening cheesecake edges after baking.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Helpful for stirring cranberry sauce and mixing ingredients.

How to Bake Cranberry Cheesecake Smoothly

• Crust Foundation

Crush graham crackers into fine, sandy texture and blend with melted butter. Press this delightful mixture firmly into a springform pan, creating a sturdy base for your cheesecake adventure.

• Creamy Wonderland

Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, gradually introducing sugar and eggs. Fold in vanilla and sour cream, creating a luscious landscape of flavor that promises pure indulgence.

• Baking Magic

Place your cheesecake in a warm oven, surrounding it with a water bath to ensure gentle, even cooking. Watch as it transforms into a pillowy, golden masterpiece that jiggles softly when touched.

• Cooling Sanctuary

After baking, let your cheesecake rest and cool naturally. Gently separate edges from pan and refrigerate, allowing flavors to mingle and texture to set perfectly.

• Cranberry Crown

Simmer fresh cranberries with sugar, watching them burst and create a vibrant, tangy sauce. Enhance with citrus zest and warm spices for an extra layer of excitement.

• Serving Celebration

Slice your chilled cheesecake and adorn with the brilliant cranberry sauce. Each bite promises a symphony of creamy, tart, and sweet sensations that dance across your palate.

Tips for a Tangy and Creamy Cheesecake

• Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter that blends perfectly.
• Wrap the springform pan's exterior with aluminum foil before placing in a water bath to prevent water seepage and create a silky, crack-free surface.
• Experiment with different flavor additions like a splash of bourbon, fresh ginger, or a pinch of cardamom to elevate the cranberry topping's complexity.
• This cheesecake can be prepared up to three days in advance, allowing flavors to meld and making party preparation stress-free. Simply store covered in the refrigerator and add fresh cranberry sauce just before serving.
• Garnish individual slices with candied orange peel, toasted almond slivers, or a delicate dusting of powdered sugar to add visual appeal and extra texture to your dessert.

Serving Cranberry Cheesecake During Holidays

• Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Beautifully arrange individual cheesecake slices on a decorative platter garnished with fresh cranberries, mint leaves, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant dessert presentation.
• Flavor Boosting Companions: Pair each slice with a dollop of homemade cranberry sauce, a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce to enhance the creamy cheesecake's rich texture and complementary flavors.
• Wine and Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a chilled glass of dessert wine like Moscato or a crisp Riesling, which will beautifully balance the tangy cranberry and smooth cream cheese components, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Seasonal Brunch Star: Slice the cheesecake into smaller portions and include as part of a holiday brunch spread, accompanied by fresh fruit, coffee, and light breakfast pastries for a delightful sweet ending to a morning meal.

Storage Guide for Cranberry Cheesecake Leftovers

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store your freshly baked cheesecake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Technique: Slice the cheesecake before freezing individual portions wrapped securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen cheesecake stays delicious for 1-2 months when properly sealed.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert 1-2 days before your event to allow flavors to develop and texture to stabilize. The cranberry sauce can be made a week in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator.
• Serving Suggestion: Remove cheesecake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance its creamy texture. Top with fresh cranberry sauce and a dollop of whipped cream just before presenting to guests for maximum visual and taste appeal.

Creamy Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Creamy New York-style cranberry cheesecake delivers festive winter dessert perfection. Holiday gatherings become magical when you savor each silky slice of this classic, crowd-pleasing treat.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lb (0.68 kg) cream cheese
• 12 oz (340 g) fresh cranberries
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) sour cream (room temperature)
• 1.5 cups (300 g) sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp almond extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch springform pan with butter.
2. Crust Formation: Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press firmly into pan bottom, creating a compact foundation.
3. Cheesecake Batter Creation: Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, gradually integrating sugar and eggs while maintaining consistent texture through periodic bowl scraping.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream into the batter, blending thoroughly to develop rich, complex flavors.
5. Baking Technique: Pour batter evenly over crust, then place springform pan inside a larger roasting dish filled halfway with boiling water to ensure uniform heat distribution and prevent surface cracks.
6. Precision Baking: Cook for 55-60 minutes, monitoring until center remains slightly wobbly yet structurally firm, indicating perfect doneness.
7. Cooling Process: Immediately separate cheesecake edges with a thin knife, then allow to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for minimum 4 hours.
8. Cranberry Sauce Preparation: Simmer sugar and water in a saucepan, then add cranberries and cook until they burst, creating a vibrant, glossy sauce.
9. Sauce Refinement: Enrich cranberry mixture with orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then cool and refrigerate until serving time.
10. Final Presentation: Slice chilled cheesecake and top with generous cranberry sauce, optionally garnishing with whipped cream for elegant serving.

Notes

• Prevent Cracking Technique: Use a water bath by placing the springform pan in a larger roasting dish filled halfway with boiling water to ensure smooth, crack-free cheesecake surface.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream to room temperature before mixing to achieve smoother, lump-free batter and better incorporation.
• Cooling Critical Steps: Run a thin knife around edges immediately after baking to prevent cracking, then cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for at least 4 hours.
• Flavor Enhancement Tip: Add orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg to cranberry sauce for deeper, more complex taste profile that complements the rich cheesecake.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg