This Eggnog Cheesecake with Gingerbread Crust combines a gingerbread men cookie crust and a super creamy eggnog filling. This is THE Christmas Cheesecake.
Ho Ho Ho. Because you all were super nice this year, you deserve a special treat. This Gingerbread Eggnog Cheesecake is a gift for everyone who loves cheesecake, eggnog, and gingerbread.
I don’t know about you, but I think Christmas deserves its own cheesecake and this Eggnog Cheesecake with Gingerbread Crust is the perfect Christmas cheesecake. Although Christmas time is cookie time, I love the idea of eating cakes and cheesecakes as well in this time.
And because gingerbread men cookies and eggnog are two of the best things in advent, I had to bring these two together in one delightful dessert.
Instructions
The gingerbread cookie crust is simple to make. Just 4 ingredients. Gingerbread men cookie crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Alternatively, you can use gingersnap cookies. Combine gingerbread cookie crumbs and butter in a large bowl. Then add sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened.
Transfer to a parchment paper layered 9“ springform pan. Press crumbs with the back of a flat-bottomed cup into the bottom of the pan and halfway up the sides. The easiest way to line a springform pan with parchment paper is to cut out a circle for the bottom and strips for the sides.
The filling has an intense taste of eggnog thanks to 1 cup of eggnog, vanilla, nutmeg, and rum. It is like you EAT eggnog. Literally.
How to avoid cracks
Make sure that you don’t overmix the filling at any step. Overmixing is one of the main reasons for cracking cheesecakes because of too much air pockets in the filling which develop while mixing too much. If you always face problems with cracking cheesecakes then consider baking it in a bain marie, also called water bath.
I almost never bake my cheesecakes in water baths because I don't have problems with cracking cheesecakes and I love the browned and crinkly edges of baked cheesecakes which are not baked in a water bath.
Make sure that you don’t open the oven door for the first 45 minutes of baking time because quick temperature changes can cause cracks as well. Also overbaking is a common, if not the most common reason for cracking cheesecakes.
The cheesecake is done when it is set to touch with a wobble in the center. Be aware of that if your cheesecake cracks then there was a problem with the procedure when you followed the recipe correctly.
To sum it up: overmixing, overbaking, and fast temperature changes are the major reasons for cracking cheesecakes. The more cheesecakes you bake, the fewer cracks you will have.
But is it actually a problem if a cheesecake cracks?
The short answer: No. In my opinion.
The cheesecake is not ruined, you don’t need to throw it away, it is not bad, it is the same in taste and texture, and you can still eat it.
And if the crack bugs you because of the look? Cover it with whipped cream or ganache. Nobody will know that there is a crack. So don’t panic because of a crack, the world is still good. And delicious.
This Gingerbread Eggnog Cheesecake is
- a dreamy combination of gingerbread men cookie crumbs and an eggnog cheesecake
- easy to make - you need two bowls
- prepared in 15 minutes
- the perfect Christmas cheesecake
- so creamy
- out of this world delicious
Eggnog Cheesecake with Gingerbread Crust
Ingredients
Gingerbread Crust
- 2+¼ cups gingerbread men cookie crumbs or gingersnap crumbs (225g)
- 5 tablespoon butter, melted and cooled (70g)
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar (50g)
- pinch of salt
Eggnog Cheesecake Filling
- 3 cups/packages cream cheese, room temperature (24oz / 680g)
- 1 cup granulated white sugar (200g)
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour (22g)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 vanilla beans* (or 2 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 2 tablespoon dark rum (30ml)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup eggnog (240ml)
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line the bottom and the sides of a 9" (23cm) springform pan with parchment paper by cutting out a circle for the bottom and strips for the sides. Set aside.
- Gingerbread Crust: In a large bowl stir together cookie crumbs and melted butter until combined. Add sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened. Transfer to the prepared pan and press crust into the bottom and halfway up the sides with the back of a flat-bottomed cup. Freeze until filling is done.
- Eggnog Cheesecake Filling: In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour just until combined no lumps remain. Add nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla*, and rum and stir to combine. Add one egg at the time and mix just until combined before you add the next egg. Scrape down the bowl and add eggnog and mix until smooth and combined. Don't overmix at any step. Too much air in the filling can cause cracks while baking. Pour filling into the crust. Spread evenly. Place a piece of parchment paper under the springform pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until the edges look puffed and browned. The center should be very bright and almost set with a 2-3 inches wobbly spot in the center. Don't overbake because this is a common reason for cracked cheesecake.
- Turn off the oven, crack open the door (pinch a wooden spoon), and let the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Then remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight. Top with whipped cream and decorate with Gingerbread Men Cookies before serving, if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
Farzana
Does it need to be a 9inch pan or can a 10 inch pan work as well?
Sabine
I recommend using a 9-inch pan, otherwise, the cheesecake will turn out flat.
Hollu
Do you have to use rum or can I omit it or sub for something else?
Sabine
You can use whipping cream instead or search for a non-alcoholic cheesecake recipe on my blog if preferred.
Erin Gatrell
Can you leave out the rum? I cannot have rum. If I leave it out do I need to replace it with another liquid to keep the ratios correct?
Thanks
Sabine
You can use whipping cream instead or search for a non-alcoholic cheesecake recipe on my blog. Hope that helps!
Jen
I want to make this delicious sounding cheesecake for Christmas, but I am having a hard time finding the gingerbread men cookies. Where can I find these? I know I can use gingersnaps as an alternative, but the men are just too cute to pass up!
Sabine
I used leftover homemade gingerbread cookies. The taste between these two cookies in the crust doesn't differ that much. Hope that helps!
Eva
That looks delicious! Is the white frosting in the pictures just whipped cream? And did you pipe to give the frosting that loose shape?
Sabine
I topped it with meringue and yes, I piped it on top to create that look.
Eva
Hi, can you please share the recipe for the meringue frosting you used on top?
Sabine
Sure! I used the one from my lemon meringue tart recipe.
Cindy
Can I use graham crackers instead of gingerbread? And if so, would I freeze it in the pan the same way while I prepare the filling? I make cheesecakes often but I’ve never put the crust in the freezer, I’ve always baked it for 10 min. Thank you in advance.
Sabine
Yes, absolutely! You can use graham crackers instead and please freeze it the same way.
Sarah Luedeman
This looks like a yummy recipe
Can't wait to try this recipe on my family
Sabine
Thank you! It's our favorite cheesecake for the holidays in our home. Happy holidays!
Mary
Made both your eggnog cheesecake and eggnog tiramisu! This last weekend. Everyone loved it! Thank you!
Sabine
That’s so great to hear! I’m happy that you got great feedback. Thank you so much. Happy holidays!
Amy
Looks amazing! Questions: can this be frozen so that you can make it ahead ? If not, how far in advance can it be made? Have you ever made this into mini cheesecakes? Thank you!!
Sabine
Yes, cheesecakes freeze very well. Let the cheesecake cool as described and then chill it for about 3 hours. Then wrap the cheesecake with the pan in plastic foil twice. Then wrap in aluminum foil twice. Take care that it completely sealed. You can freeze it 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Therefore remove the foil and place the cheesecake with the pan in an airtight container. Eat within 2 days. Hope that helps!
Amy
It does thank you!! Have you made these in mini form like in muffin tins?
Sabine
Oh, I forgot to answer that question, sorry! No, I didn't try to bake this recipe in muffin tins. I think that the recipe is too much even for 2x 12er muffin pans.