Festive Cranberry-Topped Cheesecake

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 45 min. + chilling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Dec. 26, 2023
When my daughter was 4 months old, my husband and I hosted both of our families for Christmas dinner. I served this cheesecake for dessert. It's quite festive—it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. —Stacy Dutka, Bienfait, Saskatchewan
Festive Cranberry-Topped Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups crushed shortbread cookies
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • FILLING:
  • 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • TOPPING:
  • 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
  • 1-1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until set, 6-8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in juice, zest, vanilla and cinnamon. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour filling over crust.
  3. Return pan to baking sheet. Bake until center is almost set, 45-50 minutes. 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. In a large saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Combine cornstarch and orange juice until smooth; stir into cranberry mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes.
  5. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in pecans. Spoon over cheesecake. Refrigerate until chilled.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 537 calories, 33g fat (17g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.