I love pies and, honestly, they are my first thought for any holiday dessert. But after that, at least for Christmas, it's all about cheesecake. Though I can't say it's the lightest way to end an already monumental meal, there's something about a creamy, sweet and tangy cheesecake that tastes just right after a feast. And after a breather, too, of course. These 8 holiday cheesecake recipes bring together everything that's great about a classic cheesecake with our favorite holiday flavors to make the ultimate holiday desserts.
Related: How to make pie dough in 5 easy steps, plus our favorite All-Butter Pie Crust recipe.
We'll get to those traditional holiday flavors like gingerbread and peppermint, but before that, this Cranberry Orange Cheesecake at Gimme Some Oven (above). Cranberry and orange are my favorite winter flavor pairing and this has both, plus a gingersnap crust. It's also made with Greek yogurt, so there's a little bit of health, too. Maybe, sorta? Nothing says Christmas more than gingerbread and David at Leite's Culinaria shares this perfect Gingerbread Cheesecake adapted from a recipe by Martha Stewart. I love David's comments on cookbook recipes and this is no exception—though he doesn't add much in this case since the recipes is so spot on. (Photo originally from Martha Stewart Living, via Sang An) Not everyone is into sipping eggnog, but the flavor itself, redolent of fresh nutmeg, is perfect for everything from cookies to cakes and, apparently, cheesecake, too. The Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes at Baked By Rachel are as cute as they are delicious, and make it easy to indulge in this rich dessert without going overboard. Salted caramel is good any time of year, but especially during the holidays when decadence is in order. This gorgeous Salted Caramel Cheesecake at My Baking Addiction is made with a pretzel crust to amp the sweet and salty factor, which is pure genius. Also, you can regulate the amount of caramel on each slice in case someone wants to go easy. To each their own, I guess.Related: The essential guide to 10 holiday pies: 5 classic recipes, plus 5 unexpected twists.
One of the great things about cheesecake is that it can be easy to make without even turning on the oven. This No-Bake Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake at Cooking Classy is one of those easy recipes that yields a silky, airy cheesecake dessert full of Christmas flavor. If you want a more conventional no-bake cheesecake recipe, try this No-Bake Chocolate Orange Greek Yogurt Cheesecake at Nutmeg Nanny. I'm a recent convert to orange and chocolate and can't get enough of the delicious combination, especially in this amazing looking, chocolate-crusted cake. Speaking of chocolate, if that's the way you want to go, try this Triple Chocolate Cheesecake at A baJillian Recipes. Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. I doubt you'll get any complaints. Okay, so s'mores is hardly a holiday-specific flavor, but why not when this S'mores Cheesecake at Learning How to Cook looks so mouthwateringly delicious. It's like a little gift to end your Christmas festivities. Yum.
