With its make-ahead potential and crowd-pleasing promise, the humble cheesecake is up there with the best of them when it comes to desserts for the festive season. Best of all, both its biscuit base and creamy filling are endlessly customisable. Create a suitably festive cheesecake by opting for Christmassy flavour combinations, and incorporating seasonal ingredients and warming spices. From white chocolate and ginger to Bailey’s, here are six of our favourite festive cheesecake recipes to try this year.
Ainsley Harriott’s Rich Chocolate and Espresso Cheesecake
Ainsley’s chocolate and coffee cheesecake is finished with an attractive scattering of chocolate shavings and espresso powder. Rich and glossy, it is sophistication defined.
White Chocolate and Ginger Cheesecake
The addition of stem ginger to Mary’s white chocolate cheesecake not only brings a touch of festive spice but also tempers the sweetness of the white chocolate.
Six-Minute Baileys Cheesecake
Sarah Rainey’s Bailey’s-based cheesecake not only puts everyone’s favourite festive booze to good use but is also the ultimate choice for anyone who finds making a dessert daunting. Using just 7 basic ingredients and 6 minutes to whip up, it couldn’t be easier to make.
Salted Caramel Cheesecake
Christmas is a time for all out decadence and with that firmly in mind we give you this recipe. Complete with glinting caramelised pecans and a salted caramel sauce, it’s the kind of dessert to silence a table while everyone tucks in.
Mary Berry’s Chocolate, Brandy and Ginger Cheesecake
Mary’s brandy-spiked cheesecake is rich with chocolate, spiced with ginger and laced with the perfect amount of booze.
Jane’s Patisserie’s No-Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake
Jane’s latest cookbook is all about bakes to help you celebrate every special occasion and this no-bake cheesecake is one of its best Christmassy offerings. With a gingernut biscuit base, a vanilla filling and a topping of whipped cream and gingerbread people, it couldn’t be more festive.
