Eggnog Cheesecake

Eggnog Cheesecake is rich, creamy, and so easy to make. With a crispy gingersnap crust and cozy flavors, this dessert is perfect for the holiday season!

Easiest Christmas Cheesecake Recipe

I’ve got the best eggnog dessert recipe to share with you today!

I first whipped up this easy eggnog cheesecake back in September and knew it had to make a debut for the holidays. It’s decadent, creamy, and filled with cozy flavors of eggnog and nutmeg.

And not only is it simple to make, but it’s nestled on top of a gingersnap crust and topped with the most delicious eggnog whipped cream. If you’re an eggnog lover like I am, then this eggnog cheesecake recipe was made for you.

ou might think that cheesecakes are difficult to make. And while they can be tricky, I’m sharing my tips and tricks for making the best eggnog cheesecake in the post below. No cracks on top, no underdone center, just smooth, creamy deliciousness!

Ingredients in Eggnog Cheesecake

For this creamy Christmas cheesecake, you’ll need the following basic ingredients: 

• Gingersnap cookie crumbs
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Cream cheese
• Eggnog
• Vanilla
• Ground nutmeg
• Eggs
• Heavy whipping cream
• Powdered sugar

How to Make Eggnog Cheesecake

If you’ve never made a cheesecake before, this easy recipe is a good one to start with. Here are the basic steps to making a holiday eggnog cheesecake at home: 

1. Prepare the springform pan: Wrap the outside of your springform pan with aluminum foil. When baking, you will put the pan into a water bath, and this will ensure that water will not seep into your pan.
2. To make the gingersnap cookie crust: Mix together the cookie crumbs, sugar and melted butter.
3. Press onto the bottom and up the sides on the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. To make the eggnog filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with fitted paddle attachment until smooth and fluffy. 
5. Beat in eggnog, vanilla, and nutmeg on low speed until combined.
6. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined.
7. Pour batter into prepared crust.
8. Place pan into a larger pan (I used a roasting pan) and fill with boiling water until it reaches halfway up sides of springform pan. 
9. Bake until the edges are set but the center is still slightly jiggly.
10. Turn off oven, crack oven door, and keep cheesecake in oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove from oven and let cool for about an hour until refrigerating.
11. When ready to serve, top with eggnog whipped cream. 

How to Store Homemade Cheesecake

To store this holiday cheesecake, make sure it’s cooled completely to room room temperature. Then wrap loosely in aluminum foil or plastic wrap (while still in the pan) and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Once cheesecake is served (and you are storing leftovers), wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. 

Can You Freeze Eggnog Cheesecake?

Absolutely! Let the cheesecake cool completely and then remove from the pan. Place into a larger freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with aluminum foil and plastic wrap so that no air gets to the cake. Freeze for up to two months.

How to Tell When Cheesecake Is Done Baking

The edges should be set puffed up slightly and the center should still be slightly jiggly. The cheesecake will set and firm up once cooled and chilled.

How to Prevent Cracks in Cheesecake

There are several ways to help ensure that the cheesecake bakes with no cracks on top:

• It will help if all of your ingredients (cream cheese, eggnog, eggs) are at room temperature when mixing.
• Mixing the ingredients on low speed will help less air to enter the batter, which means less air bubbles and no/fewer cracks on top of the eggnog cheesecake.
• When incorporating the eggs into the batter, mix until just combined. Overmixing when the eggs are added will increase your chances of cracks in your cheesecake. 
• Try to resist opening the oven door when baking. This will always increase your chances of having the cheesecake form cracks on top.
• Don’t skip the boiling water bath if you can help it. This will help the batter to bake evenly and with a smooth top.

Tips for Making this Holiday Cheesecake

• Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth, but once you add the eggs, do not overmix. This is important, as overmixing will can cause the top of the cake to crack.
• Don’t skip the water bath! While this is an extra step, it will help the cheesecake to cook evenly and prevent cracks.
• Try not to open the oven door until the timer goes off so that the cake bakes evenly.

Looking for More Eggnog Desserts?

• Glazed Eggnog Bread
• Eggnog Donuts
• White Chocolate-Dipped Eggnog Cookies
• Pull-Apart Eggnog Bread
• No Bake Eggnog Pie