Jump to Recipe Print RecipeAs I stood in my kitchen, the scent of cranberries simmering sweetly with sugar filled the air, instantly transporting me to festive memories of Christmas gatherings. This is the perfect moment to bring to life a show-stopping dessert: my Festive Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse. Not only is this holiday dessert a feast for the eyes with its stunning layers, but it’s also a crowd-pleaser that balances rich, creamy flavors with a touch of tartness. Plus, its make-ahead nature makes it a stress-free option for your holiday celebrations. What better way to impress your loved ones than with a slice of this creamy, indulgent cheesecake? Ready to create something magical in your kitchen? Let’s dive into this delightful recipe! Why is this cheesecake a must-try? Decadent Layers: This Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse offers a beautiful contrast of flavors and textures that will wow your guests. Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for holiday gatherings, it combines festive charm with rich creaminess, ensuring everyone leaves with a smile and an unforgettable taste. Make-Ahead Magic: Preparing it a day in advance means you can savor the holiday spirit without stress, freeing you up to enjoy the festivities. Visual Showstopper: With its stunning presentation, this dessert doesn’t just taste heavenly—it also serves as an eye-catching centerpiece for your holiday table. Impressive Yet Simple: Crafted with easy-to-find ingredients, this cheesecake allows you to shine in the kitchen even if you’re not a seasoned baker! For tips on how to achieve the perfect cheesecake texture, check out my section on baking tips. Christmas Cheesecake Ingredients • Here’s everything you need for your Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse! For the Crust Graham Cracker Crumbs – Provides a sturdy, flavorful base for the cheesecake; you can substitute with digestive biscuits for a unique twist. Brown Sugar – Adds caramel sweetness to the crust; feel free to replace with white sugar for a milder flavor. Melted Butter – Binds the crust ingredients together; use coconut oil as a great dairy-free alternative. For the Cranberry Jam Fresh Cranberries – Offers tartness and natural pectin for the jam; frozen cranberries also work well as a substitute. Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the cranberry jam and filling; reduce the quantity for a less sweet profile. Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and depth; using vanilla beans can elevate the flavor even more! For the Cheesecake Filling Cream Cheese – Provides a rich and creamy texture; try a dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan option. Heavy Whipping Cream – Ensures a rich filling; substitute with coconut cream for a lighter result. Sour Cream – Adds tanginess and helps bind the filling; Greek yogurt is a suitable substitute. Eggs – Essential for binding the cheesecake; flax eggs are perfect for a plant-based version. Cornstarch – Helps the cheesecake set; omitting it creates a creamier texture. For the Mousse Topping White Chocolate Bars – Melted for sweetness and creaminess; you can use a dairy-free version to make it vegan. Whipped Topping – Provides a light, airy finish; coconut whipped cream is a fantastic non-dairy alternative. Now that you have the ingredients at your fingertips, you’re one step closer to creating this magical dessert! Ready to bake? Let’s make your holiday extraordinary! Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Festive Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse Step 1: Cranberry Jam Preparation In a medium saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract over medium heat. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, forming a jam-like consistency. Once cooked, remove from heat and let the cranberry jam cool completely before using it in your cheesecake layers. Step 2: Crust Preparation In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, melted butter, and a splash of vanilla extract. Mix until the ingredients resemble wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan to form the crust. Spread half of the cooled cranberry jam evenly over the crust, creating a vibrant layer of tartness. Step 3: Cheesecake Filling In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the vanilla extract, sour cream, and eggs, mixing well after each addition. Finally, mix in the cornstarch and slowly blend in the heavy cream until the filling is silky. Pour this luscious cheesecake mixture over the cranberry jam layer in the springform pan. Step 4: Baking Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the springform pan in a larger roasting pan filled with hot water, creating a water bath to ensure even baking. Bake the cheesecake for 70-75 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle. After baking, turn off the oven and crack the door open, allowing the cheesecake to rest for 10 minutes inside—it helps prevent cracks. Step 5: Cooling and Chilling Once the cheesecake has rested, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Carefully remove the springform pan and refrigerate the cheesecake for at least four hours, or preferably overnight, to achieve the best flavor and texture. Step 6: Mousse Preparation Spread the remaining cranberry jam over the chilled cheesecake, ensuring an even coating. For the white chocolate mousse, beat softened cream cheese in a bowl until creamy. Gradually drizzle in melted white chocolate, mixing until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping until well combined, then spread the mousse over the cheesecake, creating a decadent topping. Step 7: Garnishing (Optional) For an elegant touch, soak fresh cranberries in sugar syrup overnight and roll them in extra fine sugar to create sparkling garnishes. Arrange them on top of the white chocolate mousse for a festive appearance. Slice the cheesecake and serve chilled, delighting your guests with this stunning Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse! What to Serve with Festive Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse Bring joy to your holiday table by creating a complete meal that perfectly complements your stunning cheesecake. Spiced Mulled Wine: The aromatic spices in mulled wine enhance the festive spirit and pair beautifully with the cheesecake’s rich flavors, adding warmth to your spread. Gingerbread Cookies: These classic cookies offer a crunchy contrast to the creamy cheesecake, creating a delightful textural balance with every bite. Honey Glazed Carrots: Their natural sweetness and earthy tones harmonize with the tartness of the cranberry jam, creating a wonderful flavor profile that excites the palate. Roasted Brussels Sprouts: The slight bitterness of roasted Brussels sprouts beautifully complements the creamy cheesecake, adding depth to your holiday meal. Peppermint Hot Chocolate: This wintry favorite brings a sweet and minty indulgence that enhances the festive theme of your dessert while keeping guests cozy. Cheese and Charcuterie Board: A selection of cheeses adds savory richness that pairs well with the cheesecake’s creaminess, while cured meats provide a satisfying crunch. Pineapple and Pomegranate Salad: This refreshing salad adds a burst of tang and color to the table, balancing the richness of your Festive Christmas Cheesecake and enticing guests with its vibrant presentation. Dark Chocolate Truffles: These rich bites serve as a luxurious finish to your meal, echoing the cheesecake’s indulgence while providing a delightful flavor contrast. Creating a festive atmosphere is all about the right pairings—each of these suggestions will elevate your holiday dining experience! How to Store and Freeze Christmas Cheesecake Fridge: Store your Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 4 days. This keeps it fresh while allowing the flavors to deepen. Freezer: For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, ensuring they’re airtight. They can last up to 3 months, perfect for planned celebrations! Thawing: When ready to enjoy, thaw your cheesecake slices overnight in the fridge. Avoid defrosting at room temperature to maintain the creamy texture. Reheating: If adding a warm topping, do so gently in the microwave in short intervals. This will keep the cheesecake’s original flavor and texture intact. Expert Tips for Christmas Cheesecake Perfectly Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is well-softened before mixing to achieve a smooth, lump-free filling. It makes all the difference in creating the perfect Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse. Water Bath Wonder: Always use a water bath when baking your cheesecake to diffuse heat evenly and prevent cracks on the surface. It’s a simple trick that elevates your dessert! Chill for Flavor: For the best flavor and texture, let your cheesecake chill overnight. The extra time helps the flavors meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste of your holiday dessert. Less Sweet Option: If you prefer a less sweet jam, decrease the granulated sugar in the cranberry mixture. This allows the tartness of the cranberries to shine through, balancing the rich creaminess. Garnish with Flair: Experiment with your garnishing! Fresh whipped topping or white chocolate shavings can add a delightful finishing touch to your cheesecake, making it as beautiful as it is delicious. Make Ahead Options These Festive Christmas Cheesecakes with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse are perfect for busy holiday planners! You can prepare the cranberry jam up to 3 days in advance; simply let it cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Additionally, the cheesecake filling can be made up to 24 hours ahead of baking; just cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated to maintain its creamy texture. Assemble the cheesecake by layering the jam and filling in the crust, then bake as directed. After cooling, chill the cheesecake overnight for optimal flavor. Finally, finish with the mousse topping right before serving for a delightful, stress-free holiday dessert that’s just as delicious! Christmas Cheesecake Variations & Substitutions Feel free to get creative and make this delightful Christmas Cheesecake even more special with these fun twists and substitutions! Berry Bliss: Swap the cranberry jam for raspberry or cherry jam for a different fruity flavor. Both options add a delightful tang and vibrant color! Fruity Freshness: Top your cheesecake with fresh fruit like strawberries or kiwi instead of mousse, creating a lighter, more refreshing dessert. The natural sweetness of the fruit will balance beautifully with the creamy cheesecake. Chocolate Indulgence: Use dark chocolate instead of white chocolate in the mousse for a richer, more decadent chocolate flavor that pairs wonderfully with the tart cranberry jam. Nutty Surprise: Add crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crust for extra crunch and flavor. This twist provides a lovely texture contrast and a hint of nuttiness. Zesty Twist: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the cheesecake filling for a bright, citrusy flavor that enhances the overall taste experience. It’s a subtle addition that can make a big difference! Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream cheese and heavy whipping cream with vegan alternatives for a completely dairy-free version of the cheesecake. Look for coconut-based cream cheese for a creamy texture. Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cheesecake filling for a warm, spice-infused flavor that evokes the coziness of the holidays. Gourmet Upgrade: Elevate your cheesecake by drizzling with a homemade caramel sauce or a raspberry coulis just before serving. It adds a gourmet touch that’ll impress your guests! With these variations, your Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse can be tailored to your taste and dietary preferences, making it a card on your holiday dessert table! For even more inspiration on how to make your dessert stand out, explore my section on baking tips. Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse Recipe FAQs What type of cranberries should I use for the jam? Fresh cranberries are ideal because they provide that perfect tartness and natural pectin. However, you can absolutely use frozen cranberries if fresh ones are unavailable. Just make sure to thaw them first before cooking! How should I store leftover cheesecake? Store your Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 4 days. This keeps it fresh while allowing the flavors to deepen for a more delightful taste. Can I freeze the cheesecake? If so, how? Yes, you can freeze it! Slice your cheesecake into individual pieces and wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. This method keeps them airtight, and they can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply let it thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. What should I do if my cheesecake cracks while baking? No worries! If you notice cracks, it’s often due to the cheesecake baking too quickly. To prevent this, always use a water bath during baking to maintain an even temperature. If cracks occur, you can cover them up with a generous layer of mousse, garnishing to ensure it looks gorgeous! Is this cheesecake suitable for those with dietary restrictions? Absolutely! For a vegan option, replace cream cheese with a plant-based alternative, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and swap heavy whipping cream with coconut cream. You can also adjust the sweetness by reducing the sugar in the cranberry jam to accommodate dietary preferences. How can I achieve the best texture for my cheesecake? For the creamiest texture, ensure your cream cheese is well-softened before mixing—this prevents lumps from forming. Using a water bath while baking helps distribute heat evenly, which keeps the cheesecake from cracking and ensures a silky finish. Chill the cheesecake overnight for the best flavor and texture melding! Delectable Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam Delight This Christmas Cheesecake with Cranberry Jam and White Chocolate Mousse is a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert balancing rich flavors and tartness. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 30 minutes minsCook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes minsCooling Time 4 hours hrsTotal Time 5 hours hrs 45 minutes mins Servings: 10 slicesCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanCalories: 410 Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes Ingredients 1x2x3x? For the Crust2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs Can substitute with digestive biscuits1/4 cup Brown Sugar Can replace with white sugar1/2 cup Melted Butter Use coconut oil for dairy-freeFor the Cranberry Jam12 oz Fresh Cranberries Frozen cranberries also work3/4 cup Granulated Sugar Reduce for less sweetness1 tsp Vanilla Extract Vanilla beans can enhance flavorFor the Cheesecake Filling16 oz Cream Cheese Dairy-free cream cheese is an option1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream Coconut cream as a substitute1/2 cup Sour Cream Greek yogurt is a good substitute3 large Eggs Flax eggs for a plant-based option2 tbsp Cornstarch Omitting creates a creamier textureFor the Mousse Topping8 oz White Chocolate Bars Dairy-free version is suitable2 cups Whipped Topping Coconut whipped cream as a non-dairy alternative Equipment 9-inch springform panMixing BowlMedium saucepanElectric MixerRoasting Pan Method Cranberry Jam PreparationCombine fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens.Crust PreparationMix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Press firmly into the bottom of a greased springform pan and spread half of the cooled cranberry jam over it.Cheesecake FillingBeat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Gradually add vanilla extract, sour cream, and eggs, mixing well. Blend in cornstarch and heavy cream, then pour over the cranberry jam layer.BakingPreheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Bake the cheesecake in a water bath for 70-75 minutes until edges set and center jiggles slightly. Let it rest in the oven for 10 minutes.Cooling and ChillingCool cheesecake to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.Mousse PreparationSpread remaining cranberry jam over the chilled cheesecake. Beat softened cream cheese until creamy, drizzle in melted white chocolate, mix until smooth, fold in whipped topping, and spread over cheesecake.Garnishing (Optional)Soak fresh cranberries in sugar syrup and roll in sugar for garnish. Serve cheesecake chilled. Nutrition Serving: 1sliceCalories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 5gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 270mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg NotesEnsure cream cheese is well-softened for a smooth filling. Use a water bath to prevent cracks. Chill overnight for best flavor. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
