Description
Festive winter magic sparkles in this Christmas Decorated Cheesecake, blending creamy richness with holiday cheer. Elegant swirls of frosting and seasonal garnishes make this dessert a delightful centerpiece for your celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Base:
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
Decorative Elements:
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
- Christmas-themed sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the springform pan by combining graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly into the bottom to create a uniform crust.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating sugar and vanilla extract.
- Introduce eggs individually, gently folding each one into the cream cheese mixture to maintain a silky texture.
- Divide the batter into two portions, keeping one half in its original white color.
- Transform the second half by blending in red food coloring, ensuring an even, vibrant crimson tone throughout.
- Carefully layer the white batter first, followed by the red batter, creating a festive base in the springform pan.
- Using a thin toothpick, delicately weave through both colors to generate an artistic marbled pattern.
- Position the cheesecake in a preheated 325°F oven, allowing it to bake for 45-50 minutes until the center achieves a subtle firmness.
- After baking, switch off the oven and allow the cheesecake to rest inside for one hour, promoting gradual cooling and preventing surface cracks.
- Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 4 hours or ideally overnight to set completely.
- Before serving, embellish the surface with playful Christmas-themed sprinkles for a festive final touch.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for celiac-friendly options.
- Prevent cracks by avoiding overmixing eggs and using a water bath during baking to create gentle, even heat distribution.
- Create vibrant red swirls by using gel food coloring instead of liquid, which provides more intense color without affecting batter consistency.
- Cool cheesecake gradually to prevent surface cracking by leaving it in the turned-off oven with door slightly open, allowing temperature to drop slowly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg