Holiday Spice Cheesecake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 55 min. + cooling

Makes

12-16 servings

Updated: Sep. 12, 2022
Here is THE perfect dessert to top off Christmas dinner. It's simply stunning with a filling that's creamy and rich with brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice. It freezes well, so busy holiday cooks can make it a month in advance, then defrost in the fridge and trim with whipped cream before serving.—Colleen Arnold, Sublette, Illinois

Ingredients

  • 9 whole graham crackers
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • FILLING:
  • 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 2-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • TOPPING:
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Place graham crackers and walnuts in a food processor; cover and process until nuts are finely chopped. Add butter and cinnamon; process until blended. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside.
  2. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the sour cream, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
  4. For topping, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Transfer to a pastry bag with a star tip. Pipe around edge of cheesecake; sprinkle with cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 358 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 239mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.