Home Recipes Cheesecakes
Lisa KaminskiUpdated: Mar. 05, 2024
Tie up your holiday feast with a stunning Christmas cheesecake. These recipes fold in all the best flavors of the season like mint, chocolate, cranberry and eggnog.
Want to depart from traditional Christmas cake ideas? Take a tip from The Golden Girls and stir up a Christmas cheesecake instead!
Cheesecakes are rich and velvety—just right for the holiday season. Before you begin, be sure to brush up on your cheesecake-baking skills and learn how to prevent a cracked cheesecake so you can have a picture-perfect presentation.
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Red Velvet Cheesecake
Festive and oh, so good, this Christmas cheesecake will become a fixture on your holiday dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
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Baklava Cheesecake
With sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs, my unique baklava cheesecake makes a grand display for office parties and other special events. It’s my go-to Cristmas cheesecake. —Aryanna Gamble, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Peppermint Cheesecake
People are thrilled when they see me coming with this rich, smooth Christmas cheesecake—it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Not only does it look sensational, but it is so scrumptious. —Carrie Price, Ottawa, Illinois
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Snickerdoodle Cheesecake
My maternal grandmother preferred sewing and quilting to cooking and baking, but there were some things that she cooked and baked really well. She was the only person I knew who made snickerdoodles, simple but yummy cookies that I've always enjoyed. Since cheesecake is my very favorite dessert, I couldn't resist coming up with one that re-creates those flavors. I think of my grandmother each time I make it! Sometimes I'll drizzle the slices with maple syrup. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
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Bittersweet Chocolate Cheesecake
I’m a great-grandmother, and my whole family enjoys this dessert. I received this recipe from my niece. It’s very chocolaty. —Amelia Gregory, Omemee, Ontario
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Creamy Cranberry Cheesecake
This creamy cheesecake is perfect for holiday desserts. The colorful topping is so good that I prepare it separately and use it as a cranberry side dish. —Mary Simonson, Kelso, Washington
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Peppermint Cheesecake on a Stick
Surprise guests with a fun holiday treat—dipped cheesecake wedges you can eat without a fork. Whenever my son has one, he jokes that he wants to quit his job so he can sell them! —Maria Morelli, Kelowna, British Columbia
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Caramel Cashew Cheesecake
When a friend served this luscious cheesecake at a birthday party, I left with the recipe. Every time I make it, rave reviews and recipe requests come my way. —Pat Price, Bucyrus, Ohio
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RumChata Cheesecake
I like to experiment and make new and unusual-flavored cheesecakes. When I tried RumChata at a friend's party, I knew it would make a great cheesecake. For a pretty presentation, drizzle it with caramel syrup or topping, or sprinkle on some toasted coconut. —Christine Talley, Hillsboro, Missouri
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Ricotta Cheesecake
When I was a nurse, my co-workers and I regularly swapped recipes during lunch breaks. This creamy cheesecake was one of the best I received. —Georgiann Franklin, Canfield, Ohio
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11/33
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
I created this mint chocolate cheesecake for our high school’s annual fundraiser. We were told that it brought a hefty price and was one of the first desserts to go! If desired, you can stir the cookie pieces into the batter instead of adding them in a layer. Keep the pieces fairly small; if they’re too large they have a tendency to rise to the top. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Eggnog Cheesecake
I make good use of extra eggnog by creating this luscious Christmas cheesecake. A bit of rum extract adds a special taste. —Kristen Grula, Hazleton, Pennsylvania
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Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake
Cardamom has a sweet and warm taste that makes you think of clove, allspice and pepper all wrapped in one spice. Mix it with pistachios and add to cheesecake for a dessert that suggests the exotic flavors of India. —Carolyn Harkonnen, Loomis, California
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Mocha Truffle Cheesecake
I went through a phase when I couldn't get enough cheesecake or coffee, so I created this rich dessert. Its brownie-like crust and creamy mocha layer really hit the spot. It's ideal for get-togethers because it can be made in advance. —Shannon Dormady, Great Falls, Montana
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Makeover Traditional Cheesecake
Though softer than a full-fat cheesecake, this lightened-up dessert has all of the original's delectable flavor. It's sure to make any special event more festive. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
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Festive Cranberry-Topped Cheesecake
When my daughter was 4 months old, my husband and I hosted both our families for Christmas dinner. I served this cheesecake for dessert. It’s quite festive and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. —Stacy Dutka, Bienfait, Saskatchewan
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Cheesecake with Berry Sauce
This creamy cheesecake is a family tradition; I've even shipped it to my daughter as a special treat. Using frozen seasonal berries, it's an excellent dessert any time of year. —Jeanette Volker, Walton, Nebraska
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Mudslide Cheesecake
Change up cheesecakes with different liqueur flavorings. This “mudslide” version with coffee and Irish cream is my husband’s favorite. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Winning Cranberry Cheesecake
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without cranberries and eggnog. I use them both in this flavorful Christmas cheesecake that’s a perfect finale for dinner. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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Coffee Cheesecake
Coffee lovers will line up for this rich coffee cheesecake. It’s creamy and just mildly sweet, which allows the coffee flavor to shine through. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Creamy Tiramisu Cheesecake
The Italian word “tiramisu” means “pick-me-up” and refers to a dessert of ladyfinger sponge cake dipped in coffee, embracing mascarpone cheese. Work that in with cream cheese and you have a guaranteed picker-upper that redefines a classic. —Mrs. Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
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Amaretto Ricotta Cheesecake
There’s a good reason why a relative handed this cherished recipe down to me. It’s a keeper! The amaretto and ricotta make for a truly unique dessert. —Isabel Neuman, Surprise, Arizona
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Lemon Dream Cheesecake
Light and creamy, this lemon cheesecake recipe is just the thing for a spring or summer day. —Bonnie Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
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Chocolate-Glazed Coconut Almond Cheesecake
My idea was to make a cheesecake taste like my favorite candy bar, which has chocolate, coconut and almonds. This cheesecake also works in bite size. Use a mini muffin pan with muffin liners, fill 3/4 full and bake 15-17 minutes. Allow to sit and cool completely before topping with chocolate, coconut and almonds. —Keri Brammer, Lawton, Oklahoma
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Cherry Fudge Truffle Coconut Cheesecake
Cherries and chocolate come together in this dazzling coconut dessert. This Christmas cheesecake is always a showstopper. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
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White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
As a dairy farmer’s wife, I have experience making cheesecake. In fact, most anything containing milk products is tasty in my book. If I’m out of cream cheese, it’s time to go to the grocery store! —Wendy Barkman, Breezewood, Pennsylvania
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Double Chocolate Almond Cheesecake
This cheesecake is easy to make—but it’s definitely not easy to wait till the next day to eat it! The recipe is from a friend I used to work with. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
This Kentucky bourbon pecan cheesecake will wow your guests and your taste buds. Serve in spring during the Kentucky Derby or at any other special occasion throughout the year. —Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor
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Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma
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Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
If you delight in the taste of chocolate, then this is the cheesecake for you. Every creamy bite melts in your mouth. It’s so impressive yet not difficult to prepare-I whip up this dessert each time I want a yummy treat for my family, friends or co-workers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
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Holiday Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Family and friends can’t seem to get enough of this deliciously different cheesecake that combines my two favorite desserts—sweet potato pie and cheesecake. I think the dessert tastes best if made 24 to 48 hours prior to serving. —Melanie Bauder, Manlius, New York
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Searching for a dessert superstar? This chocolate swirl cheesecake is the one that people ask for again and again. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
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Chocolate Malt Cheesecake
My mother-in-law loved chocolate malts—and cheesecakes, too. Can you guess who passed this recipe on to me? Sometimes, I substitute pretzel crumbs for the graham cracker crumbs. They make a surprisingly good crust! —Anita Moffett, Rewey, Wisconsin
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Originally Published: December 20, 2018
Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.
