This Cranberry Cheesecake is the ultimate festive dessert—rich, velvety, and delicately flavored with orange zest for a bright seasonal touch. Paired with a perfectly spiced graham cracker crust and topped with sparkling sugared cranberries, it’s a show-stopping Christmas centerpiece that’s surprisingly simple to make. Whether served at holiday parties, family gatherings, or Christmas dinner, this cheesecake brings a luxurious yet comforting flavor that captures the best of the season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A creamy, ultra-smooth texture that rivals bakery-style cheesecake.

• Bright orange zest adds a festive twist without overpowering.

• The buttery graham cracker crust has warm cinnamon notes that enhance every bite.

• Sugared cranberries add sparkle, color, and a delightful sweet–tart pop.

• Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year, or winter celebrations.

• Easy to make ahead for stress-free entertaining.

• Beginner-friendly instructions with professional-quality results.

• Versatile recipe—can be adapted with chocolate, spices, or different fruit toppings.

Cranberry Cheesecake

Holiday desserts hold a special kind of magic, and this Cranberry Cheesecake captures every bit of festive warmth in a single show-stopping bite. With its velvety interior, buttery graham cracker crust, and sparkling sugared cranberries, this cheesecake brings all the coziness, elegance, and seasonal charm that make winter celebrations unforgettable.

Cheesecake is already a beloved classic, but the addition of fresh orange zest elevates this recipe into a luxurious treat that embodies the flavors of Christmas. The citrus brightness cuts through the richness, balancing the cream cheese perfectly and adding a refreshing, aromatic note that guests will instantly recognize.

During the holiday season, many home bakers look for recipes that feel special but don’t require advanced pastry skills. This festive cheesecake is exactly that—a recipe that’s approachable, reliable, and impressive enough to serve as the centerpiece of your holiday table. The step-by-step process ensures consistent results, even if you’re new to baking cheesecakes.

The graham cracker crust brings another layer of pleasure, offering a warm, buttery crunch with brown sugar and a hint of cinnamon. Its subtle spice complements everything—from the creamy filling to the bright cranberries—creating a harmonious flavor profile that embodies winter comfort.

One of the most visually stunning elements of this dessert is the sugared cranberries. These festive ruby gems sparkle like frosted ornaments, giving the cheesecake a magical, snowy appearance that’s perfect for Christmas photography, potlucks, or Instagram-worthy dessert spreads. They add a pop of tartness that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.

This cheesecake is baked low and slow to maintain a silky texture with no cracking. The method ensures that the center sets perfectly while remaining soft and creamy. By cooling it gently inside the oven before chilling overnight, the cheesecake achieves a smooth texture that’s firm yet melt-in-your-mouth luscious.

What makes this recipe especially popular during the holidays is its ability to be made ahead. Holiday gatherings can get chaotic, and having a dessert that can chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours means one less thing to worry about on the big day. It also enhances the flavor, allowing the orange zest and cream cheese to deepen and meld beautifully.

This recipe is also flexible enough to customize. You can incorporate warm spices like nutmeg or cloves, swap in a chocolate crust, or top with pomegranate arils, candied oranges, or a thin layer of cranberry compote. Yet the original version remains timeless and elegant in its simplicity.

From Christmas Eve dinners to New Year celebrations, this cheesecake fits seamlessly into any winter menu. It pairs wonderfully with hot chocolate, mulled wine, peppermint coffee, or a simple cup of tea. Its refreshing yet decadent flavor makes it a dessert that appeals to both citrus lovers and cheesecake traditionalists alike.

Whether you’re creating a holiday dessert table, hosting a family gathering, or simply wanting something special for cozy December nights, this Cranberry Cheesecake delivers a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive beauty. It’s the kind of dessert people remember long after the holidays are over—and one that might just become your new seasonal tradition.

Servings & Time

• Servings: 12

• Prep Time: 25 minutes

• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

• Cooling & Chilling Time: 6 hours

• Total Time: ~8 hours

Ingredients

FOR THE CHEESECAKE

• Cooking spray

• 3 bars (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• Zest of 1 large orange

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

FOR THE CRUST

• 1 sleeve graham crackers, finely crushed

• 5 tbsp melted butter

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of kosher salt

FOR THE CRANBERRIES

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tbsp orange juice

• 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

• 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease an 8″ or 9″ springform pan.

2. Make the cheesecake filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

3. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in sour cream, orange zest, flour, vanilla, and salt.

4. Make the crust: Combine graham crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

5. Press the crust tightly into the pan.

6. Pour cheesecake filling over the crust.

7. Wrap the bottom of the pan in foil and place on a baking sheet (or water bath if preferred).

8. Bake 1 hour 30 minutes, until the center jiggles slightly.

9. Turn off oven, crack door open, and cool cheesecake 1 hour.

10. Remove foil and refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight.

11. Make sugared cranberries: Heat water, orange juice, and 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved.

12. Toss cranberries in syrup, then cool on parchment.

13. Roll cooled cranberries in remaining sugar.

14. Top the chilled cheesecake with sugared cranberries before serving.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Substitute graham crackers with gingersnaps or vanilla wafers.

• Use lemon zest instead of orange for a brighter flavor.

• Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Cheesecake can be made up to 48 hours in advance.

• Sugared cranberries are best made the same day for maximum sparkle.

Serving Variations

• Add a thin cranberry compote layer on top.

• Drizzle with white chocolate or caramel.

• Top with candied orange slices.

Avoid These Mistakes

• Don’t overmix the batter—prevents cracking.

• Don’t skip cooling in the oven—it stabilizes the texture.

• Don’t remove springform ring too early—wait until fully chilled.