There’s something truly magical about the festive flavors of this Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe. The tangy cranberries paired with the silky white chocolate mousse create a dessert that lights up your plate and heart during the holidays. Trust me, it’s a showstopper you’ll want to make every year.

The image shows a sliced cheesecake on a white plate with a lace edge, set against a white marbled surface and dark background. The cheesecake has three visible layers: the bottom layer is a golden-brown crumbly crust, the middle layer is thick, creamy, and pale yellow with visible red berry bits mixed in, and the top layer is thick white cream with piped swirls around the edges. The top of the cheesecake is covered with a pile of red and dark red berries dusted with sugar. A woman's hand is holding one slice pulled out from the cheesecake. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this cheesecake—it was a festive experiment that turned into my holiday favorite. What makes this Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe so special is how it balances tartness with creamy sweetness, plus the layered textures that impress everyone at the table.

Perfect Holiday Flavors: Fresh cranberries add a bright tartness that cuts through the creamy white chocolate mousse, making every bite exciting.
Impressive Yet Manageable: It looks like a fancy dessert but is surprisingly straightforward to make, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.
Customizable Layers: With jam, cheesecake, and mousse layers, you can tweak each component to match your sweet spot.
Showstopper Presentation: The option to top with candied cranberries adds a sparkling, elegant touch, perfect for Christmas celebrations.

This image shows a round three-layer cheesecake on a white decorative cake stand. The bottom layer is a dense, light brown crust, above it is a thick, creamy pale yellow cheesecake layer, topped with a thick white whipped cream layer. Around the edge of the top layer, there are swirls of whipped cream forming a border. The center is piled high with bright red and dark purple sugared berries that sparkle lightly with granulated sugar. The background is a white marbled texture. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe masterfully combines fresh ingredients and a few pantry staples to create layers of flavor and texture. Each one plays a role, from the crunchy crust to the smooth mousse, so here’s a little insight on why these ingredients shine together—and some pointers you’ll thank me for when shopping.

Flat lay of fresh bright red cranberries with green stems, a small white ceramic bowl of white granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with golden melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl containing light brown graham cracker crumbs, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of thick sour cream, a fresh whole vanilla bean pod split lengthwise showing seeds, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth cream cheese, white chocolate bars broken into pieces, a small white ceramic bowl of fluffy white whipped topping, and a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow heavy whipping cream, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh Cranberries: Their bright tartness makes the jam lively and refreshing, balancing the sweetness of the white chocolate.
White Granulated Sugar: Provides necessary sweetness, but I always suggest tasting the jam before adding—it shouldn't be too overpowering.
Vanilla Extract & Vanilla Bean: Adds warmth and complexity—it transforms your cheesecake from ordinary to extraordinary.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Gives a buttery, crunchy base that holds up well and complements the creamy filling.
Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of molasses depth to the crust.
Butter: Melted butter binds the crust together, so don’t skimp here, quality matters.
Cream Cheese: The heart of any cheesecake; softened to room temperature so it blends perfectly smooth.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Gives richness without weighing down the filling, and makes the mousse silky.
Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tang and creaminess to your cheesecake, creating a moist texture.
Eggs: Essential for structure, but beating carefully helps keep your cheesecake tender.
Corn Starch: Keeps the cheesecake stable and creamy rather than dense or crumbly.
Baking White Chocolate Bars: Use good-quality chocolate here; it melts smoothly and brings in a luxurious flavor.
Whipped Topping: Like Cool Whip, folded into the mousse for lightness and that beautiful fluffy texture.
Water and Sugar for Candied Cranberries: For an optional dazzling garnish, if you want to take this over the top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I love the original recipe as is, one of the joys of this cheesecake is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you prefer a little extra zing or a different crunch in the crust, go ahead and make it your own! The layers make it forgiving for some creative tweaks.

Variation: I’ve swapped the graham cracker crust for a gingersnap crust during the holidays, which makes the dessert feel even more festive with that spicy snap. Give it a try if you love ginger flavors!
Dietary Modification: For a lighter version, I sometimes use a lower-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt in place of sour cream—just remember it can affect texture slightly, but still delicious!
Seasonal Switch: Try raspberry jam instead of cranberry for summer celebrations, but come Christmas, cranberry wins every time for that perfect tang.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Candied Cranberries (Overnight Magic)

Start by simmering water and sugar until the sugar dissolves, then cool it a bit before stirring in fresh cranberries. Cover, refrigerate overnight, and coat with sugar before decorating. This is my secret to that sparkling, festive look—totally worth the wait.

Step 2: Make the Quick Cranberry Jam

Cook fresh cranberries with sugar and vanilla over medium heat, stirring often until the berries burst and thicken into jam in about 12-15 minutes. Let it cool completely before spreading on the crust—the taste is insanely fresh and vibrant.

Step 3: Assemble the Crust and Layer Jam

Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla until it’s all well combined. Press this mixture firmly into your greased springform pan, covering the bottom and halfway up the sides. Then spread half of the cooled cranberry jam evenly over the crust.

Step 4: Beat Cheesecake Filling to Silky Perfection

Beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then mix in vanilla and sour cream. Add eggs slowly, one at a time, scraping the bowl so everything’s incorporated. Lower mixer speed to stir in corn starch and heavy cream gently. Don’t forget those vanilla bean seeds—they add the best speckled look and intensive flavor.

Step 5: Bake in a Water Bath for the Perfect Texture

Pour the filling over the jam-layered crust. Place your springform pan inside a larger roasting pan and carefully pour hot water halfway up the side of your springform—this water bath keeps your cheesecake creamy and prevents cracking. Bake at 325°F for about 70-75 minutes, then let it rest in the oven with the door ajar before cooling completely.

Step 6: Chill and Finish with Cranberry Jam

Run a buttered knife gently around the edges, cool an hour on the counter, spread the remaining cranberry jam on top, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. This step lets the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 7: Whip Up the White Chocolate Mousse Topping

Melt your white chocolate bars carefully, beat softened cream cheese, pour in the melted chocolate, and mix well. Gently fold in whipped topping for that light, fluffy mousse. Spread this over the cheesecake and pipe some on top if you’re feeling fancy. Don’t forget to add those candied cranberries for the perfect holiday sparkle!

Top Tip

From my experience, a few little tricks make this recipe foolproof. I’ve learned these along the way, and they truly make the difference between a good cheesecake and a spectacular one.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature before mixing; it keeps the batter smooth and prevents lumps.
Water Bath Wrap: I always wrap my springform pan with heavy-duty foil to avoid leaks—trust me, better safe than soggy crust.
Slow Baking and Cooling: Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake rest inside with the door open for 10 minutes before cooling outside. This helps prevent cracks.
Gentle Mousse Folding: When mixing mousse, fold whipped topping gently to keep it light and airy—don’t overmix!

How to Serve Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Christmas Cranberry Cheesecake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this cheesecake with candied cranberries—they add that little festive sparkle and a pop of texture. For a touch of elegance, a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or a light dusting of powdered sugar really bring the presentation home.

Side Dishes

This cheesecake pairs wonderfully with a simple cup of spiced hot chocolate or herbal tea to balance the richness. I also enjoy serving it alongside fresh fruit or a light mint salad to brighten the palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special holiday dinners, I sometimes serve this cheesecake in individual glass jars with layers of jam, filling, and mousse for a pretty inversion of the classic cake. It’s always a hit and makes portion control easier!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover the cheesecake tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. I find the flavors actually deepen after a day, so leftovers can be even better.

Freezing

I’ve frozen whole cheesecakes wrapped in plastic and foil, and they thaw beautifully overnight in the fridge. Freezing helps if you want to prep in advance without sacrificing texture or taste.

Reheating

This cheesecake is best enjoyed chilled, so I usually don’t reheat it. If you want to serve at room temperature, just take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to soften it up nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe actually benefits from being made a day or two in advance so the flavors fully meld together. Just keep it refrigerated and covered.

Do I have to use fresh cranberries?

Fresh cranberries give the best flavor and texture, especially for the jam and candied topping. However, frozen cranberries can work in a pinch—just thaw and drain well before cooking.

Can I substitute white chocolate with another type?

You can try milk or semi-sweet chocolate, but the texture and taste will change. White chocolate offers a creamy sweetness that complements the cranberry tartness perfectly in this recipe.

Why use a water bath for baking?

The water bath creates gentle, even heat around the cheesecake which prevents cracking and results in that famously creamy texture. Wrapping the pan in foil helps avoid leaks from the water bath.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe feels like gifting yourself and your loved ones a slice of holiday joy. It’s a recipe that’s become part of my holiday tradition, and I hope it becomes part of yours too. Dive in, enjoy the process, and most importantly—savor every delicious bite together.