White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

Explore our other cranberry-infused desserts with this cranberry coffee cake or these delicious white chocolate cranberry cookies.

Cranberries: Fresh or frozen, for the tart burst of berry flavor. Sugar: Not a lot, but enough to sweeten things up a little. Water: The jars will cook in a baking dish filled with water. Vanilla extract: For an subtle note of vanilla. Graham cracker cookie crumbs: To make the crumby base. Butter: To help form the crust. White chocolate: Melted in the cream to add a subtle white chocolate flavor through the cheesecake. Half and half cream: For texture and creaminess. Cream cheese: The star of the show! Sour cream: A light yet extra creamy texture that complements the white chocolate. Eggs: To thicken the cheesecake and make it hold its shape. Sprigs of rosemary: An aromatic garnish.

Fruits: A citrus zest, such as orange zest, is a complementary flavor. Herbs: Fresh mint, our top pick after rosemary, brings freshness. Nuts: A sprinkle of chopped nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or pecans, adds a textural contrast. Spices: A sprinkle of some cinnamon adds earthy warmth. Sweet things: A drizzle of a white chocolate sauce or sprinkle of white chocolate shavings highlights the white chocolate flavor. A spoonful of coconut whipped cream sweetens things up with a tropical note. Or add a lick of maple syrup. Edible flowers: Because they’re beautiful!

Cheesecake water bath

Once your jars are ready for the oven, use the water bath technique to bake them. This is accomplished by pouring water into the baking dish that the jars sit in, to about halfway up the jar. This is why it’s done:

Humidity: Cheesecakes LOVE humidity as they cook! The steam from the hot water helps to bake them in a moister environment – no dry cheesecakes on our watch! Heat distribution: The water in the bath helps distribute heat evenly around the cheesecake, which helps the center cook just as fast as the edges. Prevents cracking: Cheesecakes are delicate so rapid temperature changes can lead to the surface breaking. The water bath keeps it moist enough to reduce this risk. Temperature control: The water bath helps regulate the temperature, preventing it from getting too high too quickly.

Dessert bars: If you’re making a dessert bar, the tangy flavor of lemon bars can complement the sweet and tart notes of the cranberry in the cheesecake. Serve alongside these lemon bars, or this orange sherbet. Cocktails: For a contrast of flavors, serve it alongside a chocolate-based cocktail, like this chocolate espresso martini. Or, carry through the cranberry flavors with a Christmas cranberry margarita or this cranberry mojito – the mint also brings freshness to the palate.