Description
Cranberry orange cheesecake delivers a festive fusion of tangy citrus and sweet-tart berries atop a buttery graham cracker base. Creamy layers meld winter’s finest flavors, promising a delightful dessert that welcomes holiday celebrations with pure deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 16 oz (454 g) cranberries
- 2.5 cups (250 g) graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 4 tbsps (50 g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 0.5 tsp orange extract
- Orange food coloring (optional)
- 2–3 drops orange food coloring
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Graham Cracker Base: Pulverize graham crackers into fine crumbs, then amalgamate with melted butter and sugar. Press the mixture firmly into a greased springform pan to create an even, compact crust.
- Cranberry Layer: Simmer cranberries with sugar and orange extract in a saucepan until slightly thickened. Drizzle half the cooled sauce across the crust, ensuring uniform distribution. Briefly freeze the base while preparing subsequent components.
- Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to soft peaks, then enhance with vanilla, orange extract, and a hint of orange food coloring until stiff peaks form.
- Filling Integration: Delicately fold the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese base, maintaining a light, airy texture. Spread the filling evenly over the cranberry-layered crust, creating a smooth surface.
- Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the assembled cheesecake for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight to ensure complete setting. Once set, gently loosen the edges using a thin knife and remove the springform pan sides.
- Decorative Finish: Tint additional whipped cream with orange food coloring. Artfully spread the remaining cranberry sauce in the cheesecake’s center and pipe the colored whipped cream around the perimeter for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Chill for Success: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours or overnight to ensure a perfectly set, creamy texture that slices cleanly.
- Crumb Consistency Matters: Press graham cracker crust firmly and evenly to create a solid, compact base that holds together when serving.
- Fold Gently: When combining whipped cream and cream cheese, use a light folding technique to maintain the airy, delicate consistency of the filling.
- Color and Flavor Boost: Use orange extract and a touch of food coloring to enhance both the taste and visual appeal of the cheesecake, creating a vibrant and appetizing dessert.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 413
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 86 mg