Cranberry Delight Cheesecake Recipe

Quick & Tangy Cranberry Delight Cheesecake Recipe For Holidays

Cranberry delight cheesecake represents a festive dessert that captures the essence of seasonal celebration.

Sweet and tangy flavors dance across your palate with each luxurious bite.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with bright, jewel-toned fruit accents that elevate this classic dessert.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe converts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Rich cream cheese provides a smooth foundation for the vibrant cranberry swirls that weave through the dessert.

Elegant and impressive, the cheesecake promises to be a showstopping centerpiece at any gathering.

Decadent layers of flavor await those who dare to indulge in this irresistible treat.

Why Cranberry Cheesecake is a Holiday Classic

  • Craft a Festive Flavor Explosion: This cranberry delight cheesecake bursts with tangy-sweet cranberry sauce swirled through creamy white chocolate cheesecake, creating a festive dessert that dances with holiday spirit.
  • Enjoy Effortless Elegance: The simple yet sophisticated method of layering and swirling transforms basic ingredients into a stunning dessert that looks professionally made with minimal kitchen skills required.
  • Savor Textural Brilliance: Golden Oreo crust provides a crisp, buttery base that perfectly complements the smooth, velvety cheesecake and bright, jammy cranberry sauce, delivering a delightful contrast in every single bite.

Ingredients That Make Cranberry Cheesecake Shine

Cranberry Delight Cheesecake Ingredients:

Base Ingredients:
  • Golden Oreos: Classic cookie base with sweet vanilla flavor, providing a crunchy foundation for the cheesecake.
  • Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs and creates a rich, solid crust.
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Smooth, rich base that gives the cheesecake its signature creamy texture.
  • White Chocolate: Adds luxurious sweetness and creates a silky smooth flavor profile.
  • Sugar: Provides balanced sweetness throughout the cheesecake.
  • Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and helps create a smooth, creamy consistency.
  • Eggs: Act as a binding agent and help create the classic cheesecake structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
  • Salt: Balances and deepens the dessert's overall taste.
Cranberry Sauce Ingredients:
  • Cranberries: Fresh or frozen berries that provide tart flavor and vibrant color.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cranberry sauce and balances the fruit's natural tartness.
  • Orange Juice: Adds subtle citrus brightness and helps cook down the cranberries.

Steps to Bake a Creamy Cranberry Cheesecake

Step 1: Whip Up Cranberry Magic

  • Grab fresh cranberries
  • Add sugar
  • Pour in orange juice

Heat mixture in saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens (about 10 minutes). Transfer to bowl, strain if desired, and let cool completely.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Golden Cookie Base

Preheat oven to 325°F. Crush Golden Oreos into fine crumbs using food processor. Mix crumbs with melted butter. Press mixture firmly into springform pan. Bake for 12 minutes, then cool completely.

Step 3: Craft Silky Cheesecake Filling

Melt white chocolate carefully in microwave using 20-second intervals. In large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar until ultra smooth. Gently incorporate:
  • Sour cream
  • Cooled white chocolate
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Mix until perfectly combined and creamy.

Step 4: Build Delicious Layers

Pour 1/3 of cheesecake batter over golden cookie crust. Add dollops of cranberry sauce and create beautiful swirls. Repeat layering process, ending with remaining batter and sauce. Wrap pan bottom in aluminum foil.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place wrapped pan in larger roasting dish. Add hot water around pan. Bake at 325°F for 60-75 minutes until center is slightly jiggly. Cool completely before serving.

Cheesecake Tips for the Perfect Slice

  • Crush Cookies Perfectly: Use a food processor or place Oreos in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin for uniform, fine crumbs that create a smooth, compact crust.
  • Prevent Cheesecake Cracks: Bake in a water bath, avoid overmixing eggs, and let the cheesecake cool gradually to prevent unsightly surface splits.
  • Melt Chocolate Smoothly: Use short microwave intervals and stir between each to ensure white chocolate melts evenly without burning or seizing.
  • Swirl Like a Pro: Use a toothpick or knife tip to create elegant, marbled patterns when adding cranberry sauce, moving gently to maintain distinct color variations.
  • Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the cheesecake overnight to allow flavors to meld and texture to become perfectly creamy and set.

Best Ways to Store Cranberry Cheesecake

  • Refrigeration: Wrap the cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the cake on a flat surface to maintain its shape and prevent cracking.
  • Freezing: Slice the cheesecake into individual portions for easier storage. Place pieces in airtight freezer-safe containers or wrap securely with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Reheating: Serve cheesecake chilled for the best flavor and texture. If you prefer a slightly softer consistency, let the slice sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the texture soggy and compromise the delicate cranberry swirls.

Serve Cranberry Cheesecake With These Ideas

  • Pair with Festive Sparkling Wine: Complement the cheesecake's sweet and tangy profile with a crisp, effervescent sparkling wine like Moscato d'Asti or a light Prosecco, enhancing the dessert's fruity cranberry notes.
  • Match with Creamy Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a smooth, medium-roast coffee or a vanilla latte to balance the cheesecake's richness and highlight its white chocolate undertones.
  • Elevate with Candied Nut Garnish: Sprinkle toasted almonds or pecans around the plate to add a crunchy texture that contrasts with the creamy cheesecake and provides a nutty counterpoint to the cranberry's tartness.
  • Contrast with Citrus Sorbet: Add a small scoop of orange or lemon sorbet on the side to refresh the palate and echo the citrusy hints from the orange juice in the cranberry sauce.

Flavor Options for Cranberry Cheesecake Fans

  • Festive Cranberry White Chocolate Dream: Enhance the cheesecake by adding crushed candy canes to the crust for a minty holiday touch, creating a festive winter-inspired dessert that combines creamy white chocolate with tangy cranberries.
  • Rustic Orange Cranberry Crunch: Incorporate toasted almond slivers into the crust and add orange zest to the cheesecake batter, bringing a nutty and citrusy dimension to the classic recipe that elevates the flavor profile.
  • Maple Cranberry Swirl Sensation: Replace some sugar with pure maple syrup in the cranberry sauce and cheesecake batter, introducing a rich, warm sweetness that complements the tart cranberry notes and creates a more complex taste experience.
  • Spiced Cranberry Cheesecake Charm: Mix ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg into the crust and cheesecake batter, infusing the dessert with warm winter spices that beautifully highlight the cranberry's natural tartness.
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Cranberry Delight Cheesecake Recipe

Cranberry Delight Cheesecake Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Cranberry Delight Cheesecake whispers holiday elegance with its creamy texture and tart cranberry swirls. Rich cream cheese filling and buttery graham cracker crust create a festive dessert that melts in your mouth, promising pure seasonal comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups (250 grams) cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 36 Golden Oreo cookies (406 grams)
  • 680 grams cream cheese, softened (3 packages of 8 ounces)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1.5 cups (250 grams) white chocolate, chopped

Sweeteners and Dairy:

  • 1.5 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
  • 0.33 cup (80 grams) sour cream
  • 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 0.75 cup (70 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:

  • 0.75 cup orange juice or water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Craft the vibrant cranberry sauce by combining whole cranberries, granulated sugar, and freshly squeezed orange juice in a medium saucepan over moderate heat, stirring intermittently until the mixture transforms into a luscious, thickened compote (approximately 10-12 minutes).
  2. Meticulously pulverize Golden Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor, then blend with melted unsalted butter until thoroughly integrated.
  3. Press the buttery cookie mixture firmly and evenly into the base of a 9-inch (23 centimeters) springform pan, creating a compact and uniform crust.
  4. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and bake the crust for 12-14 minutes until lightly golden, then remove and allow to cool completely.
  5. Gently melt white chocolate in 20-second microwave intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure smooth consistency.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and granulated sugar until achieving a silky, light texture, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  7. Gradually incorporate sour cream, cooled melted white chocolate, room-temperature eggs, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, blending until the batter becomes uniformly smooth.
  8. Pour one-third of the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, then strategically dollop cranberry sauce and create elegant swirls using a knife.
  9. Repeat the layering process, alternating cheesecake batter and cranberry sauce, concluding with a final layer of batter and decorative sauce swirls.
  10. Encase the springform pan’s exterior with aluminum foil to prevent water penetration, then position inside a larger roasting pan filled with hot water.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 65-75 minutes, ensuring the cheesecake maintains a slight jiggle in the center when gently nudged.
  12. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and allow the cheesecake to rest for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
  13. Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to achieve optimal set and flavor development before serving.

Notes

  • Prep the cranberry sauce ahead of time to allow cooling and intensify flavors.
  • Golden Oreo crust provides a sweet, buttery base that complements the tangy cranberry cheesecake.
  • White chocolate adds luxurious richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Water bath technique prevents cracking and ensures even baking of the delicate cheesecake.
  • Swirling cranberry sauce creates beautiful marbled patterns and distributes fruity flavor throughout.
  • Cool cheesecake completely in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving to set properly.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 75 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 457 kcal
  • Sugar: 35 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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