Our Favorite Holiday Cheesecakes

By Southern Living

Celebrate with cheesecake this holiday season.

The holidays aren’t just a time for apple pie, turkey, and mashed potatoes. We’re mixing up the dessert table this year with our festive and utterly delicious Holiday Cheesecake recipes. Our collection includes decadent Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake—a marriage of two of our favorite holiday pies finished off with a rich praline topping. For your elegant Christmas party, our Red Velvet Cheesecake-Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is finished with delicate white chocolate curls that are almost too pretty to eat. Like the sound of a white cake with a delicious cheesecake surprise within? Try our Red-Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake. It was the cover cake on our December 2013 issue and continues to receive rave reviews. If you’re looking for an ooey, gooey, comforting confection, try our Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake. It’s topped with a mound of crave-worthy caramel apples. Trust us, you won’t be able to resist. For those that can’t pass up the combination of chocolate and peppermint around the holidays, look no further than our Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake. After it’s baked, we top it off with a hearty mount of Whipped Peppermint Cream before finishing with crushed peppermint candies. It’s the stuff of Christmas dreams. Our Praline-Crusted Cheesecake is a classic with a Southern spin that will be a winner with every crowd. When you’re looking to put that canned pumpkin to use, Pumpkin Cheesecake might be just what you’re looking for. If we haven’t enticed you yet, keep clicking—we can assure you there’s something for everyone on this list.

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Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Jim Franco

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

A glistened chocolate ganache topping receives a festive look with a white chocolate snowflake. If you’re looking for an easier finish, add fresh raspberries instead.

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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

A decadent Praline Topping makes an indulgent finishing touch on this show-stopping cheesecake.

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Red Velvet Cheesecake-Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Red Velvet Cheesecake-Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Deck the halls with cheesecake this year. This cake is almost too pretty to eat—almost being the keyword.

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Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

The gooey caramel topping will drip down the side of each slice as you plate this beauty up.

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

For the topping, you can either arrange the apples on top of the chilled cheesecake in a decorative fashion or pile them high for a more rustic presentation.

 

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Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

Don’t know where to begin? Let our video tutorial take you through the process, step-by-step.

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Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Luca Trovato

Recipe: Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

You’re going to love the cinnamon cheesecake filling. Kick it up a notch with a creamy concoction of Granny Smith apples, sugar, and nutmeg.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Pile it high with whipped peppermint cream—your new favorite holiday condiment. It tastes great on coffee too.

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Praline-Crusted Cheesecake

Beth Hontzas

Recipe: Praline-Crusted Cheesecake

If you’re looking for a cheesecake with a Southern spin, you’ve found it.

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Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Top each decadent slice with a few fresh strawberries for a dose of fresh flavor.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

We topped ours with leaf garnishes made with refrigerated piecrusts, but you can skip it altogether if you’re of the less-is-more mentality.

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Layered Peppermint Cheesecake

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Layered Peppermint Cheesecake

With layers this tall, be care how thick you make each slice. You won’t want a bite of this indulgent holiday treat going to waste.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

Jody Horton

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

A pecan tart crust is layered with cheesecake and pumpkin before being topped with cloud-like meringue. Brown the meringue with a kitchen torch for a stunning presentation.

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White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

This is the epitome of what a holiday dessert should be. At once tart and sweet, guests will rave over this one.

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Cinderella Cheesecake

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cinderella Cheesecake

Peanut butter fans, you’ve met your match. Paired with a brownie crust, Cinderella Cheesecake is a fairytale come true.

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Lemon Bar Cheesecake

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Lemon Bar Cheesecake

This bright cheesecake is a zippy note with which to end your holiday meal.

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Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake with Mocha Sauce

Recipe: Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake with Mocha Sauce

Serve a slice of this pretty cheesecake with a hot cup of Irish coffee for a cozy finish.

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Cheesecake Squares

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Cheesecake Squares

If you’ve never met a sheet cake you didn’t like, your going to love our cheesecake squares.

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Eggnog Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

Recipe: Eggnog Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

The season’s most beloved beverage is now in cheesecake form.

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