I make this Christmas Cheesecake when I want a classic, rich vanilla cheesecake that looks like a Christmas ornament thanks to funfetti sprinkles baked right into the batter and candy on top. I start with a simple graham cracker crust, pour on a creamy cheesecake filling speckled with red and green jimmies, then chill and decorate it with whipped cream, M&M’s, and extra sprinkles so every slice feels like a holiday party on a plate.
Why I love this recipe
I love that the base is pure, familiar cheesecake—cream cheese, sugar, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla—so the texture stays dense, smooth, and creamy, just the way I want it. The holiday twist comes from folding in red and green jimmies, which hold their color while baking and give the cheesecake a funfetti look without bleeding the way nonpareils would. I keep the crust classic with graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, baked just long enough to set before I add the filling so it stays crisp under all that richness.
I also love how easy it is to decorate. Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, I pipe whipped cream swirls around the edge, tuck a red or green M&M on each swirl, and scatter more Christmas sprinkles across the top. It looks like I’ve spent a lot of time on it, but really the oven and the fridge do most of the work while I’m doing other things.
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