17 Christmas Cheesecakes That Deserve a Place on Your Holiday Table

Find Christmas cheesecake recipes worth making this holiday season, from cranberry swirl and gingerbread cheesecake to peppermint chocolate and creamy eggnog favorites.

There’s always that one dessert you start thinking about before you’ve even finished planning Christmas dinner. For me, it’s cheesecake. A good one has a way of making the dessert table feel complete, whether it’s topped with tart cranberries, layered with chocolate, or flavored with the gingerbread cookies that seem to multiply in the kitchen every December.

What I love most about Christmas cheesecakes is how much room there is to play with the flavors. And if you’re hosting, several of these recipes can be made ahead, which is a very good reason to choose cheesecake over a dessert that demands your attention at the last minute.

Here are 15 Christmas cheesecake ideas I’d put on my holiday baking list, including a few classics with a seasonal twist and some more playful combinations worth saving for December.

Christmas Cheesecakes

1. Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

Cranberry sauce deserves a place beyond the Christmas turkey. Its tart flavor pairs beautifully with orange zest and creamy cheesecake, creating a dessert that cuts through the richness of a big holiday meal. This would be my first choice for anyone who loves fruit desserts.

2. Gingerbread Cheesecake

All the flavor of gingerbread cookies, tucked into a creamy cheesecake with a spiced biscuit crust. A little molasses deepens the filling, and a few gingerbread cookies on top make it feel ready for Christmas dinner.

3. Peppermint Chocolate Cheesecake

Peppermint chocolate cheesecake brings the flavor of a candy cane dipped in melted chocolate to the dessert table. The trick is keeping the mint subtle enough to complement the chocolate instead of tasting like toothpaste.

4. White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Sweet white chocolate and tart raspberries keep each other in check in this pretty, crowd-pleasing dessert. Swirl raspberry sauce through the filling before baking, then serve with a little extra sauce on the side.

5. Eggnog Cheesecake

If eggnog is a holiday tradition in your house, try it in cheesecake form. Nutmeg and vanilla give the filling its familiar flavor, while a graham cracker crust keeps the recipe simple enough to prepare ahead.

6. New York Cheesecake with Christmas Berries

Sometimes a classic needs nothing more than a seasonal topping. A dense, tangy New York cheesecake pairs beautifully with fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, making this a good choice when the rest of your dessert table is already busy.

7. Salted Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Think pecan pie meets cheesecake, with salted caramel tying everything together. Toasting the pecans first brings out their nutty flavor and gives the topping a satisfying crunch against the creamy center.

8. Red Velvet Cheesecake

Red velvet cheesecake brings a familiar cake flavor into a richer, creamier dessert. The subtle cocoa notes and slight tang of cream cheese make a good pairing, especially when the recipe includes a red velvet cake layer.

9. Biscoff Cheesecake

Biscoff has a caramelized, cinnamon-like flavor that makes an excellent cheesecake base. Crushed cookies give the crust plenty of character, while cookie butter adds depth to the center. This is the recipe I’d save for a casual Christmas gathering where everyone wants a generous slice.

10. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake

chocolate cheesecake base balances the sweetness of white chocolate and the sharp crunch of peppermint candy. Break the bark into irregular pieces for a finish that feels homemade.

11. Tiramisu Cheesecake

Tiramisu cheesecake brings coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone together in a dessert that feels made for the end of a long Christmas dinner. A ladyfinger crust gives it the flavor of the Italian classic, while a dusting of cocoa powder finishes each slice.

12. Mini Christmas Cheesecakes

Mini cheesecakes are ideal for parties where everyone wants to sample a little of everything. Make one batch and finish the individual cakes with different toppings, such as caramel, cranberry sauce, crushed peppermint, or chocolate ganache.

13. White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

For this version, cranberry takes center stage in a thick, ruby-colored layer over white chocolate cheesecake. It’s also a smart choice when you want a Christmas cheesecake that looks impressive in photographs.

14. Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake

Chocolate and toasted hazelnuts make a rich combination for a Christmas dessert. A chocolate biscuit base and a hazelnut-chocolate filling deliver plenty of flavor, while chopped hazelnuts provide a little crunch.

15. Sugar Cookie Cheesecake

Sugar cookie cheesecake takes the buttery vanilla flavor of a Christmas cookie and gives it a creamy center. It’s a natural fit for a holiday baking day, especially if you already have cookie dough or leftover sugar cookies to use.

16. Apple Crumble Cheesecake

Buttery crumble, cinnamon-spiced apples, and creamy cheesecake make a particularly good combination for a December dessert. I’d serve it slightly chilled, with a little salted caramel if you want to lean into the apple-pie flavors.

17. S’mores Cheesecake

Bring a campfire favorite to the Christmas table with a graham cracker crust, chocolate cheesecake, and a layer of toasted marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows shortly before serving for that golden, slightly crisp finish.