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A slice of cheesecake topped with cranberries on a silver cake lifter.
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5 / 5 votes

Cranberry-Orange Cheesecake

This cranberry-orange cheesecake from Bon Appetit is scented with vanilla and orange and topped with sweetened fresh cranberries. A perfect holiday dessert.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 588

Equipment

  • 9-inch springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides

Ingredients

For the crumb crust

  • One (9-oz) box chocolate wafer cookies, coarsely crumbled
  • 2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake filling

  • Four (8-oz) packages Philadelphia brand cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange zest, preferably organic
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cranberry topping

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest, preferably organic
US - Metric

Instructions

Make the crust

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
  • Finely grind the cookies and chocolate in a food processor. Add the butter and blend until moist clumps form. Press the crumb mixture over the bottom and 1 1/4 inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. (To keep the moist crust mixture from sticking to your fingers, cover your fingers with plastic wrap before pressing the crumbs into the pan.)
  • Bake until the crust is set, about 8 minutes. Let cool completely.

Make the cheesecake filling

  • Increase the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
  • Wrap 2 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil around the bottom and sides of the springform pan.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until light. Beat in the flour until incorporated. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, just until blended. Beat in the orange zest and vanilla. Pour the filling into the crust.
  • Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until the filling is just set in center but still jiggles slightly when the pan is gently shaken, about 55 minutes.
  • Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely, about 4 hours. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.

Make the cranberry topping

  • Warm the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium, add the cornstarch mixture, and bring to a simmer. Add the cranberries and cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to pop, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the orange zest. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.
  • Run a sharp knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan. Release the pan sides. Spoon the cranberry mixture over the cheesecake.
  • Chill until set, about 1 hour. Slice and serve.

Notes

  1. Make-ahead--Make the cheesecake and cranberry topping up to 2 days in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble 1 hour before serving.
  2. Ingredient temperature--Always use room temperature ingredients when making cheesecake. This helps to avoid cracks during baking.
  3. Double your topping--Make a double batch of the cranberry topping and use it as your holiday cranberry sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 415mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 44g