Christmas Cheesecake

This is a rich, creamy, decadent Christmas Cheesecake with a hint of peppermint, a chocolate Oreo crust, and decorated with festive candy. Positively delicious and the perfect cookie alternative treat for Santa.

Our family sure loves cheesecake. My New York-style recipe is nice and thick and oh so creamy. So I wanted to spin-off of that and make something for the holiday season

I paired down the recipe, used a chocolate mint Oreo crust, added a hint of peppermint flavor and, of course, holiday sprinkles to make it super festive. It is fun, cute, and oh so tasty!

While cookies are the traditional treat to leave out for Santa or to serve at a holiday gathering – I’m always wanting to change it up and offer something different. Also – Santa is often asking me to cheesecake and I’m happy to oblige.

Especially when the cheesecake whips up so easily as this one does. Plus it’s just so cute with all the holiday colors and candy. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Here are some commonly asked questions

Why is my filling lumpy?

The lumpy filling comes from the cream cheese being too cold. When you add the other dry and room-temperature ingredients to the cold cream cheese, it won’t blend and emulsify with the ingredients completely, leaving little lumps of cream cheese speckled throughout the filling.

Can I use another topping?

Oh yes, of course! You don’t have to add holiday candies to this cheesecake unless you want to. Adding other toppings like chocolate sauce, fresh fruit, plain caramel sauce, crushed cookies and so much more.

Christmas Cheesecake Ideas

Where did cheesecake originate?

While many think it originated in New York, cheesecake actually originated from Greece about 4000 years ago. There they would pound cheese into a thick paste and sweeten it with honey before adding to a crust made with wheat.

It is similar to the cheesecakes we know today and I am so glad they thought to make something so delicious that we enjoy today.

Can graham cracker crumbs be used for the crust?

Of course. If you don’t want to use Oreo cookies, you can use about 9 full-sized graham crackers (the rectangle) instead. You can also substitute another cookie that has a firm crumble.

Cute Treats for Santa

Ingredients for Christmas Cheesecake

• mint oreo cookies crushed
• butter – melted
• cream cheese softened
• granulated sugar
• vanilla extract
• peppermint extract
• eggs
• holiday sprinkles

Topping

• butter softened
• confectioner’s sugar
• vanilla extract
• milk – if needed to thin the frosting
• assorted holiday candy and sprinkles of choice

Can I use fat-free cream cheese?

Cheesecake isn’t really considered diet food. It is rich and creamy because of the full fat that is in the cream cheese.

Because of this, I don’t recommend using a low-fat or fat-free product to make this recipe.

Why do the ingredients need to be at room temperature?

Room temperature ingredients help to ensure that everything blends together perfectly. You don’t want any pockets of unblended butter. You want everything evenly disbursed for the perfect texture.

When your dairy products are at room temperature, they can create an emulsion. It’s essential to have an emulsion because air gets trapped, so the baked goods expand and get fluffy as it bakes.

Cheesecake for Santa

Do I have to use a springform pan?

Well, yes and no. If you want a traditional round and tall cheesecake like you see here, then the answer is yes. Without being able to remove the sides of the pan as you do with a springform, you won’t be able to remove the cheesecake and keep it in slices.

However, if you want to make this in a 9×13 shallow pan, that would work too. When working with a more shallow pan and cutting into bars instead of slices, the cheesecake is easier to remove and serve.

How many slices will this recipe make?

Honestly, this really depends on how large or small you cut them. But I like to cut a decent-sized slice because when it comes to dessert, I don’t mess around.

You can reasonably get 16 slices out of this cake and not be skimpy.

Cheesecake Recipe for Christmas

How to Make Christmas Cheesecake

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Crust

1. Using a food processor or blender, grind cookies into fine crumbs.
2. Stir in melted butter, pulse until crumbs are moist.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of 9″ springform pan.
4. Place in freezer to set until you are ready to add in your filling.

Filling

1. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, peppermint and vanilla extracts in a large bowl until blended.
2. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended.
3. Fold in the sprinkles.
4. Pour over the chilled crust.
5. Bake 1 hour 5 min or until center is almost set but still slightly jiggly.
6. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen the cheesecake and then cool completely before removing the rim.
7. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Preferably overnight so it is nice and firm.

Decorate – Make the buttercream topping

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until fluffy.
2. Carefully add in the confectioner’s sugar and vanilla. Mixing slowly and then increasing speed once mostly incorporated, beating well until well whipped. If the frosting is too thick add a splash of milk or coffee creamer.
3. Spread the frosting on the top of the cheesecake.
4. Pipe some of the frosting around the edge.
5. Decorate with candies and sprinkles.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

You don’t have to have a stand mixer to make this recipe. Using a handheld mixer & a very large mixing bowl will work just fine for the batter. Just make sure your ingredients are at room temperature & that you blend everything really well.

holiday cheesecake

What is the best way to store leftover holiday cheesecake?

Just keep it refrigerated for up to 7 days. As long as you don’t let it sit out at room temperature for too long, this should keep well when chilled.

Make sure to cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil before refrigerating.

Keep in mind that when you add the colored candies and then refrigerate them – the moist air will cause the colors to bleed. It also tends to cause the peppermint candies to melt.

So this does make for an unappealing dessert. I recommend only adding them at the time of serving and consider removing them before refrigerating the remaining cake.

Can I make the crust thicker?

Yes, absolutely. If you are one that really loves a thick crust that comes up the sides of the cheesecake, just double the ingredients for the crust portion of this recipe & make sure that it is chilled & solid before adding your filling.

Keep in mind that doing this it will make the filling less likely to fit inside the 9″ pan – if you are doubling the crust – I do recommend moving up to the 10″ or 12″ pan.

Christmas Cheesecake Recipe

Can this holiday cheesecake be frozen?

I recommend freezing the cheesecake before the candies are added. Leave the cheesecake in the pan, cover with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

When serving you can add the candies to the thawed cheesecake.

Can this recipe be halved?

Cutting this recipe in half would drastically change the baking time. For the best possible result, it would be better to make the recipe as it is written & then give away or freeze whatever portion you won’t use immediately.

That being said, this cake will keep for 4-5 days, so there is plenty of time to enjoy it all.

Cheesecake Christmas

Can I use whipped topping instead of frosting on top?

Absolutely! You don’t have to add the buttercream frosting to the top of the cheesecake. You can add a layer of whipped topping instead.

Of course, the traditional New York-style cheesecakes have a layer of sour cream on top. But that doesn’t seem very festive to me – which is why I went with the frosting instead.

Can I use a sugar substitute?

I have not personally tried it, so I can’t say how that would turn out. But if you would like to try it, I suggest a product that offers a 1:1 swap. Please let me know how it turns out.

festive cheesecake

Products I love when making cheesecake…

This holiday cheesecake recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made a homemade cheesecake before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this cheesecake recipe.

• springform pan
• mixing bowl
• mixer
• spatulas
• granulated sugar
• vanilla extract
• mint oreo cookies
• peppermint extract
• holiday sprinkles
• confectioner’s sugar

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If you love this Easy Christmas Cheesecake recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

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