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Festive Cranberry Cheesecake

As seen in: Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes: Create the Perfect Holiday Feast

Zesty orange pairs with tangy cranberry swirl in this luscious cheesecake. Baked gently for smooth texture, it’s great for festive occasions.
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Refreshed on Thu, 01 May 2025 15:04:01 GMT
A tangy cheesecake with orange swirls and cranberry topping, with a view of a slice cut out. Save it
A tangy cheesecake with orange swirls and cranberry topping, with a view of a slice cut out. | iamcooker.com

I've gotta tell you about my top holiday sweet treat! This Orange Cranberry Cheesecake combines tangy berries with zesty citrus in the most amazing way. I crafted this after tons of Christmas baking tries, and now it's the highlight of my dessert spread. When guests see those pretty red swirls in the creamy base, their faces light up every single time.

A Delightful Holiday Creation

My home gets filled with the yummiest smells whenever I whip this up. There's something truly special about mixing tart berries with sweet orange flavors. I really enjoy how the buttery graham base crunches against the smooth filling. As soon as cranberries hit the store shelves, my family starts bugging me to make this.

What You'll Need

  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: I always stock up during holiday season for the perfect base.
  • Butter: This makes your crust stick together just right.
  • Cranberry Sauce: You can use homemade or store-bought with great results.
  • Cream Cheese: Get it really soft before mixing for the best texture.
  • Sour Cream: This is what gives that extra creamy goodness.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances out the cranberry tartness perfectly.
  • Orange Zest: Don't skip this for that real citrus punch.
  • Eggs: They create that dream-like consistency we all want.

Let's Make It Together

Start With Your Base
Combine your crumbs with melted butter and sugar until it looks like damp sand. Push it into your pan and bake it briefly. You'll love the aroma!
Create That Silky Filling
Beat your cream cheese till it's completely lump-free. Mix in your sugar, sour cream, that bright orange zest and some vanilla. Put in your eggs one at a time for that lovely smooth result.
Add Some Swirls
Put in half the mixture then add cranberry sauce in swirls. Top with more batter, more cranberry swirls and you'll get gorgeous patterns.
Time for the Bath
Cover your pan thoroughly with foil, place in a water bath and cook until it's just a bit wobbly. I always cool mine inside the turned-off oven first, then stick it in the fridge all night.

My Best Tips

I've made this treat so many times and learned some good tricks. Your ingredients must be at room temp for a smooth mix. Use two layers of strong foil around your pan to prevent leaks. Cooling slowly in the oven stops those annoying cracks. My homemade cranberry mix is great, but the stuff from the store works just fine too.

Dress It Up

I love topping this beauty with fluffy whipped cream and some sparkly sugar-coated cranberries. Adding a small splash of cranberry sauce on each plate makes it look super impressive. When friends come over for holiday meals, I pair this with hot coffee or a glass of sweet dessert wine.

Keep It Fresh

This cheesecake stays good in your fridge for many days if you wrap it properly. Sometimes I make it way ahead and freeze single pieces that thaw out perfectly overnight. It's such a time-saver during the crazy holiday rush!

Make It Your Own

Get creative with your cranberry sauce! I often add a splash of orange juice and some warm spices to mine. When I'm in a hurry, I just grab a can from the grocery store and nobody can spot the difference. Just blend it until smooth for those beautiful red swirls.

A sliced cheesecake topped with a layer of cranberry sauce and whole cranberries sits on a silver platter. Save it
A sliced cheesecake topped with a layer of cranberry sauce and whole cranberries sits on a silver platter. | iamcooker.com

Common Questions

→ What’s the purpose of a water bath?
Using a water bath keeps the heat steady and helps avoid cracks. It gives the cheesecake a smooth and creamy finish.
→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Totally! Make it 2-3 days early and store it in the fridge. The flavor gets even better after sitting overnight.
→ Why should ingredients be room temperature?
It helps them combine evenly without lumps. Cold ingredients might lead to a batter that doesn’t bake right.
→ Can fresh cranberries replace cranberry sauce?
Absolutely, just cook fresh cranberries with sugar and water until it thickens. Then use it as the topping.
→ Any tips for avoiding cracks in the cheesecake?
Cool it slowly in the oven and try not to open the door. Gradually cooling helps prevent surface cracks.

Holiday Cranberry Cheesecake

Creamy cheesecake mixed with zesty orange and topped with a tangy cranberry swirl. A must-have for holiday celebrations.

Preparation
40 Mins
Cooking Duration
100 Mins
Complete Duration
140 Mins
By: sofia


Complexity: Advanced

Origin: American

Output: 12 Portions (One 10-inch cheesecake)

Diet Types: Plant-Based (with dairy/eggs)

What You'll Need

01 A pinch of salt.
02 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
03 8 ounces sour cream brought to room temperature.
04 1 ½ cups white sugar.
05 1 ½ cups finely crushed graham crackers.
06 ⅓ cup sugar.
07 2 tablespoons orange zest.
08 ¼ cup melted unsalted butter.
09 5 large room-temp eggs.
10 2 pounds (four 8-ounce packs) softened cream cheese.
11 1 (12-ounce) can of whole cranberry sauce or 1 ½ cups of homemade cranberry.

Preparation Steps

01 Step

Set your oven to 325°F and spray a 10-inch springform pan to keep things from sticking.

02 Step

Combine graham cracker crumbs, unsalted butter, sugar, and a sprinkle of salt. Press the mixture into the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Make sure it cools before moving on.

03 Step

Using a mixer, whip the cream cheese till it’s velvety. Blend in sugar and sour cream. Add the eggs, vanilla, and zest, but be careful not to overmix.

04 Step

Puree the cranberry sauce in a blender until it’s silky.

05 Step

Pour in half the cheesecake filling, drizzle half of the pureed cranberries on top. Add the rest of the batter, top with the remaining cranberry puree, and swirl the surface gently with a knife.

06 Step

Wrap the bottom of the pan in foil to make it watertight. Put it inside a roasting pan and pour in about 1 ½ inches of hot water.

07 Step

Bake for 60 to 90 minutes, letting it jiggle just a little in the center. Turn the oven off and let it sit inside, untouched, for another hour.

08 Step

Take the pan out, remove the foil, and chill the cheesecake in the fridge for at least 6 hours after covering it up.

Additional Tips

  1. A water bath keeps the top from cracking and helps it bake evenly.
  2. Having all your ingredients at room temperature gives you the best texture.
  3. This dessert can be prepped 2 to 3 days before serving.

Required Equipment

  • 10-inch springform cake pan.
  • A hand mixer or stand mixer.
  • One big roasting pan.
  • Blender for the cranberry.
  • Strong aluminum foil.

Allergen Notice

Review ingredients for possible allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy from cream cheese and sour cream.
  • Has eggs as an ingredient.
  • Graham crackers have wheat in them.

Nutritional Information (Each Portion)

Consider these values as estimates rather than definitive health guidance.
  • Energy: 577
  • Fat Content: 36 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Protein Content: 8 g