Cranberry Bliss Cheesecake (2024)

Ingredients

For the Sponge Cake Crust:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 2 extra large eggs, separated
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed and separated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons crystallized ginger, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

For the White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake Filling:

• 1 cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 8 ounces white chocolate chips
• 3 ( 8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 extra large eggs
• 2/3 cup heavy cream

For the Butter Frosting:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted

Instructions

For the Sponge Cake Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with non stick cooking spray.
3. Wrap the outside with aluminum foil, covering the bottom and extending all the way up the sides.
4. In a small bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
5. Beat the egg yolks on high (about 3 minutes); slowly add 2 tablespoons brown sugar and the vanilla.
6. Beat an additional 3 minutes or until the yolks become thick yellow ribbons.
7. Add the flour mixture to the batter, blend just until combined; blend in the melted butter.
8. Wash the mixing bowl.

TIP: Make sure all traces of fat is gone. Even a little fat can cause the egg whites not to whip.

1. Add the egg whites and cream of tarter to the mixing bowl; beat on high until frothy.
2. Gradually add the remaining brown sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the peaks will stand up).
3. Fold one third of the egg whites into the batter, then the remaining whites.
4. Gently fold the ginger and cranberries into the bake batter.
5. Gently spread the batter over the bottom of the pan; place in a large shallow baking pan.
6. Bake 10 minutes or until gently touched in the center the cake springs back.
7. Leave the crust in the pan and place on a wire rack to cool; leave the oven on while you prepare the cheesecake batter.

For the White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake Filling:

1. The oven should still be set to 350° from the crust.

PLACE THE SPRINGFORM PAN BACK INTO SHALLOW BAKING PAN!

1. Spoon the cranberry sauce into a small bowl, break it up with spoon, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, stir until smooth; set aside.
2. Pour white chocolate chips into a small microwave safe bowl; heat in 30 second increments, stirring between each time until chips are melted and creamy; set aside.
3. Place all the cream cheese into a large mixing bowl; cream until smooth.
4. Add the sugar and vanilla; blend until combined, light and fluffy.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time.
6. Blend in melted white chocolate.
7. Blend in the cream just until combined.

DON'T OVER MIX!

1. Spoon filling over crust.
2. Drop cranberry sauce in spoonfuls on top of the batter; slightly push down cranberry sauce into the batter with the spoon.
3. Use a thin sharp knife to form red swirls.
4. Place the cheesecake in the shallow baking pan in the oven.
5. Fill the pan with hot water that comes about 1-inch up the side of the spingform pan.
6. Bake until edges are light golden brown and the top is slightly golden tan with cranberry swirls (about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
7. Remove the cake from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 2 hours.
8. Refrigerate until completely cold (preferably overnight).

For the Butter Frosting:

1. Add the butter to a mixing bowl; beat until light and creamy.
2. Add the confectioners sugar, vanilla and milk.
3. Beat to combine.
4. Release the side of the springform pan.
5. Gently spoon frosting on top of the cheesecake; spread to the edges.
6. Sprinkle on the cranberries.
7. Pour white chocolate chips into a small microwave safe bowl; heat in 30 second increments, stirring between each time until chips are melted and creamy.
8. Use a fork and drizzle on top of the cheesecake in a back and forth motion.
9. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

TIP: To make nice slices of this cheesecake it's easier to dip a large knife in hot water; wipe off water and then slice. Also take the cheesecake out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving. That will help with the slicing.