Description
Indulge in this creamy Christmas cheesecake, a perfect festive dessert that adds a touch of luxury to your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup of granulated sugar
- 3 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ¾ cup of sour cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
- Zest of one lemon
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Fresh red berries (like cranberries or raspberries, optional)
- Crushed peppermint candies (optional)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Gather your ingredients and ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to create an even crust.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes until it’s golden brown. Once baked, remove it and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth with an electric mixer. Gradually add sugar and mix until well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides for an even texture.
- Incorporate vanilla extract, sour cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest into the mixture. Mix until fully blended.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Be careful not to overmix; this will keep the cheesecake dense and creamy.
- Pour the filling onto the cooled crust evenly and smooth the top with a spatula. This step ensures a beautifully baked top.
- Bake the cheesecake for about 60 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center will still have a slight jiggle. This will firm up as it cools.
- Once done, turn off the oven and crack the door. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for about one hour. This helps prevent cracking.
- After that, transfer it to the refrigerator to cool completely, ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to deepen and enhances the cheesecake’s texture.
Notes
For best results, make the cheesecake a day ahead of your gathering to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully. Use healthier alternatives for a modified version of the recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 85mg