This White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake looks like Christmas doesn’t it?
I think this White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake should be the designated dessert for the holidays!
The one thing my husband can’t stand about me blogging is waiting to eat food that looks like this. It took him 3 days to get a slice of this cheesecake. Partially because I am lazy, but I really wanted to make this cheesecake pretty. I had a serious vision when I was making this White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake. I wanted to make a cheesecake that would put me in the mindset of the North Pole at Christmas time. In my childlike imagination, I envision the North Pole looking cold but not the weather isn’t cold. Everyone just wears sweaters, fabulous pea coats, and boots because that is just what you wear in the North Pole. Kind of like how everyone wears bikinis and speedos on South Beach in Miami knowing that half of them should not be showing that much body. I’m just saying.
While walking through the North Pole, everything is dusted with snow, not ice, and as you are walking through the city the trees look like sugared plums and pine trees. The baby deer actually come up to you, there is Christmas music playing in the air, and liquor stores only sell Buttered Rum and Spiked Egg Nog. That is my fantasy of what Christmas in the North Pole looks like all year long! It’s pretty impressive that a 32 year old woman has a childlike and detailed imagination still intact, huh? You know what is really funny, even though I still have some innocence about Christmas, I look forward to sleeping in every year. I just lay around in my pj’s and watch Christmas classics. Anyways, this White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake looks like Christmas and if I was able walk through this cheesecake, it would look the way I just described.
Now let me say, there are a few components to this cheesecake. Don’t let that discourage you but this is not a dessert that you make if you are in a hurry. This is an overnight success! Let’s see you have to make the cheesecake, cranberry filling, white chocolate ganache, and the sugared cranberries for garnish of course. One thing I can actually say is that you don’t need all those components. If you just want to make the cheesecake itself, then that will be fine. However, I have to say you will not get the entire “Christmas Cheesecake Experience” (that is what I am calling it). I mean this is an awesome dessert and it is so different from the traditional Christmas desserts! Wait, what are traditional Christmas desserts? Pecan Pie? Wait that is Thanksgiving. Oh well, my White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake is Christmas new dessert! It looks the part, if I do say so myself!
Sugared Cranberries recipe adapted by Damn Delicious
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White Chocolate & Cranberry Cheesecake
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 8-10 1x
Description
This is a perfect cheesecake that is perfect for the holidays. This White Chocolate & Cranberry Cheesecake has so much flavor that you will wow a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ c. graham cracker crumbs
- 4 tbsp. butter, melted
- 4–8 oz. Packages Cream Cheese, softened
- 12 oz. Bakers White Chocolate, melted
- 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 c. sugar
- 4 eggs
- CRANBERRY FILLING
- 2 c. cranberries
- 1/3 c. water
- ¼ c. + 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. orange zest
- 1 tsp. water
- 1 tsp. corn starch
- GANACHE
- 2 c. white chocolate, chopped
- 1 c. heavy cream
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- SUGARED CRANBERRIES
- 1 c. water
- 2 c. sugar, divided
- 2 c. cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven 325 Degrees. Spray a 9 inch Springform pan with baking spray and set aside.
- Making the cranberry filling: In a small sauce pan, add the 2 cups of cranberries, sugar, and water. Turn on low to medium heat and allow the cranberries to cook at a slight simmer for 10-12 minutes while occasionally stirring. The cranberries will begin to pop open and thicken. Mix the teaspoon of water and cornstarch in a small ramekin and add to the cranberry sauce. The sauce will thicken more. Remove from heat and allow to cool.add orange zest.
- Make sugared cranberries: In a medium sauce pan, add the water and sugar on low heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Add the cranberries and stir for 2-3 minutes and remove from heat. Use a slotted spoon and turn to a cooling rack lined paper towel. Allow to dry for 1 hour. Once the cranberries have dried, roll in the remaining cup of sugar.
- Making the crust: In a medium bowl, add the graham cracker crust, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and butter and mix until well incorporated. Pat into the bottom of the spring form pan. Use the back of a measuring cup to press firmly into the pan. Place in the oven for 5-6 minutes and set aside to cool. Increase temperature to 350 Degrees.
- Making the Cheesecake: In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time. Do not overmix the batter. Add the sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Finally, fold in the white chocolate. Pour in 1/3 of the cheesecake mixture, add a couple dollops of cranberry sauce, and swirl slightly. Add another 3rd of the cheesecake mixture, add a couple dollops of cranberry sauce, and swirl. Repeat with the last of the cheesecake mixture and cranberry sauce. Bake for 45minutes- 1 hour until middle is set. Set aside and allow to cool for 1 hour at room temperature.
- Making the Chocolate Ganache: While the cheesecake is baking, make the chocolate ganache. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a simmer. Place the white chocolate in a mixing bowl and pour the hot cream on top. Use a rubber spatula and slowly stir until smooth. Set aside at room temperature until ready for use. Once the cheesecake has set for1 hour, pour on top of the cheesecake, add the sugared cranberries on top, and place inside the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Remove frame from Springform pan and serve.
- Prep Time: 120 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Category: Dessert
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