Description
Indulge in the holiday spirit with this Christmas Cheesecake featuring layers of cranberry jam, creamy cheesecake, and white chocolate mousse on a graham cracker crust. A festive and decadent dessert perfect for celebrating the season!
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
For the cranberry jam:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cheesecake layer:
- 24 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
For the white chocolate mousse:
- 6 ounces white chocolate (chopped)
- 1 cup heavy cream (divided)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: To 325°F (160°C).
- Cranberry Jam: Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cheesecake Layer: Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- White Chocolate Mousse: Heat ½ cup heavy cream in a saucepan until hot but not boiling.
- Final Touches: Top with remaining cranberry jam and chill until ready to serve.
In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
Cook until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir in orange zest and vanilla. Cool completely, then spread half over the crust and refrigerate.
Add sugar and mix well, then beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and sour cream, and mix until just combined. Pour over the chilled crust with jam. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until the center is just set. Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Pour over the chopped white chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Let cool to room temperature. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Add the cooled white chocolate mixture and beat until smooth. Whip the remaining ½ cup heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold into the mousse mixture. Spread the mousse over the cooled cheesecake.
Notes
- Make this cheesecake a day ahead for the best flavor and structure.
- You can substitute the cranberry jam with cherry or raspberry preserves.
- Decorate with sugared cranberries or white chocolate curls for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg