We've packed festive holiday cheer into every delicious bite.
Cheesecake is lush and decadent—a perfect dessert for the holiday crowds. Make it even more so by decking it with seasonal ingredients that bring home that warm, fuzzy feeling akin to this time of year.
Our chefs have tested hundreds and hundreds of cheesecake recipes and spent time doing all the troubleshooting. The results? Perfectly rich and creamy cheesecakes every time. And once the technique for the base is mastered, adding flair and flavour is where the fun begins.
Adding Holiday Flair
The value of a seasonal menu is growing, but keeping ideas flowing without reinventing the wheel can be challenging. "If you start out with a good cheesecake recipe, then adding festive, seasonal elements just takes a bit of thought," says Patty Mitchell, senior executive chef at the Kraft Culinary Centre. "Think about seasonal themes or ingredients, and build from there. Flavours like egg nog or spiced apples, for instance, immediately give your dessert a sense of occasion."
Behind the Recipes
Peppermint Cheesecake
After creaming Philadelphia Cream Cheese, our chefs add sugar, then sour cream and vanilla, mixing until supple and velvety. Eggs are added one at a time, and then crushed peppermint candies are stirred in, turning this into a whimsical holiday dessert. For the crust, Graham Cracker Crumbs are pressed into a springform pan. After baking, then cooling, the cheesecake is garnished with a peppermint candy and whipped topping.
"This cheesecake is visually stunning," says Chef Mitchell. "It's just perfect for the holidays."
Individual Chocolate Cheesecakes
For this refreshing and light no-bake cheesecake, our chefs blend Philadelphia Cream Cheese, melted Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate and sugar. They add whipped topping, beating on low just until blended. A single OREO cookie acts as a crust for this individual dessert, which is served in muffin cups.
"The whipped topping gives this dessert a light, mousse-like filling," says Chef Mitchell. "It's a perfect item for buffets or catered events."
Festive Pumpkin Cheesecake
For this decadent alternative to pumpkin pie, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, sugar and flour are creamed, and then pumpkin filling, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are blended in. The mixture is poured onto a crust made with Christie Graham Cracker Crumbs, chopped pecans, brown and white sugar and butter.
"This is such a great take on a fall classic," says Chef Mitchell. "It's rich and creamy, and still showcases the traditional flavours found in a pumpkin pie. You can also add a topping made with sour cream, sugar and pecan halves, which offers a good contrast in both flavour and colour."