There’s nothing quite as comforting as a creamy, decadent cheesecake. This cranberry cheesecake recipe takes the classic to new heights with a gingerbread cookie crust and a jewellike sugared-cranberry topping.

Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe for the Fall Holidays

Cranberry cheesecake is a twist on a classic dessert made with a cream cheese filling, fruity topping, and a cookie crust. While [traditional cheesecak](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cheesecake-recipe)e is made with a graham cracker crust, this holiday version uses gingersnaps for a spicier base. Instead of a strawberry or cherry jam, canned <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-cranberry-sauce' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-cranberry-sauce","linkCopy":"cranberry sauce","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>cranberry sauce</a> works as the vibrant red fruit component, adding zing and counteracting the sweetness of the cheesecake. In lieu of <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, crème fraîche adds richness to this decadent dessert. Sugared cranberries top the cake for an elegant finish.
Sugared cranberries are a lightly candied garnish made from fresh cranberries and caster sugar, which coats the cranberries and makes them look frosted and intriguing. Sugared cranberries use just two ingredients and require a few steps to perfect, but are worth the labor of love. Fresh cranberries are coated in sugar syrup, then strained and left to dry so the surface becomes slightly tacky, creating perfect conditions for rolling in sugar. Using caster (also called superfine) sugar adds an extra sparkle to the cranberries, and the fine texture is perfect for evenly coating the tart cranberries. If you can’t find this ingredient, granulated white sugar is a fine substitute.
Here’s how to make the best, creamiest cheesecake at home.

1. __Temper the ingredients__. To ensure a smooth and creamy texture, make sure all of your ingredients for the cheesecake filling are at room temperature. If the cream cheese or eggs are too cold when mixing, the filling will remain chunky and you won’t attain that classic velvety texture.
2. __Blind bake the crust__. The textures at play in a cheesecake are part of what make it such a unique dessert. Since the cheesecake itself is baked at a lower temperature, the key to a crisp crust is [blind baking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-blind-bake) it before filling to ensure a crunchy texture that will stay that way as the cake bakes.
3. __Use a springform pan__. A springform pan has removable sides, making the release and reveal of the cheesecake hassle-free. The last thing you want to do is flip this cake over, so make sure to have the right pan for the job. 
4. __Don’t skip the water bath__. It may feel like an extra step, but the water bath, also known as a [bain-marie](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bain-marie-guide), is a crucial technique for cooking the cheesecake filling. The steam keeps the air in the oven humid, creating an ideal environment for a velvety-smooth filling. It also ensures the top won’t crack or dry out as the dessert bakes.
5. __Cool in stages__. Drastic temperature changes will cause the cheesecake to crack on the surface and sink in the center. To avoid this, cool the cheesecake in the oven first by turning off the oven and propping open the oven door. Transfer the cheesecake to the countertop to cool fully, then chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight before serving.
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a creamy, decadent cheesecake. This cranberry cheesecake recipe takes the classic to new heights with a gingerbread cookie crust and a jewellike sugared-cranberry topping.

Cranberry cheesecake is a twist on a classic dessert made with a cream cheese filling, fruity topping, and a cookie crust. While <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cheesecake-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cheesecake-recipe","linkCopy":"traditional cheesecak","category":null}'>traditional cheesecak</a>e is made with a graham cracker crust, this holiday version uses gingersnaps for a spicier base. Instead of a strawberry or cherry jam, canned <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-cranberry-sauce' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-cranberry-sauce","linkCopy":"cranberry sauce","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>cranberry sauce</a> works as the vibrant red fruit component, adding zing and counteracting the sweetness of the cheesecake. In lieu of <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, crème fraîche adds richness to this decadent dessert. Sugared cranberries top the cake for an elegant finish.

What Is Cranberry Cheesecake?

Sugared cranberries are a lightly candied garnish made from fresh cranberries and caster sugar, which coats the cranberries and makes them look frosted and intriguing. Sugared cranberries use just two ingredients and require a few steps to perfect, but are worth the labor of love. Fresh cranberries are coated in sugar syrup, then strained and left to dry so the surface becomes slightly tacky, creating perfect conditions for rolling in sugar. Using caster (also called superfine) sugar adds an extra sparkle to the cranberries, and the fine texture is perfect for evenly coating the tart cranberries. If you can’t find this ingredient, granulated white sugar is a fine substitute.

What Are Sugared Cranberries?

Here’s how to make the best, creamiest cheesecake at home.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Temper the ingredients. To ensure a smooth and creamy texture, make sure all of your ingredients for the cheesecake filling are at room temperature. If the cream cheese or eggs are too cold when mixing, the filling will remain chunky and you won’t attain that classic velvety texture. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Blind bake the crust. The textures at play in a cheesecake are part of what make it such a unique dessert. Since the cheesecake itself is baked at a lower temperature, the key to a crisp crust is <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-blind-bake' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-blind-bake","linkCopy":"blind baking","category":null}'>blind baking</a> it before filling to ensure a crunchy texture that will stay that way as the cake bakes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Use a springform pan. A springform pan has removable sides, making the release and reveal of the cheesecake hassle-free. The last thing you want to do is flip this cake over, so make sure to have the right pan for the job. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Don’t skip the water bath. It may feel like an extra step, but the water bath, also known as a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bain-marie-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bain-marie-guide","linkCopy":"bain-marie","category":null}'>bain-marie</a>, is a crucial technique for cooking the cheesecake filling. The steam keeps the air in the oven humid, creating an ideal environment for a velvety-smooth filling. It also ensures the top won’t crack or dry out as the dessert bakes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Cool in stages. Drastic temperature changes will cause the cheesecake to crack on the surface and sink in the center. To avoid this, cool the cheesecake in the oven first by turning off the oven and propping open the oven door. Transfer the cheesecake to the countertop to cool fully, then chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight before serving. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Baking Cranberry Cheesecake

Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a creamy, decadent cheesecake. This cranberry cheesecake recipe takes the classic to new heights with a gingerbread cookie crust and a jewellike sugared-cranberry topping.

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a creamy, decadent cheesecake. This cranberry cheesecake recipe takes the classic to new heights with a gingerbread cookie crust and a jewellike sugared-cranberry topping.
