Eggnog Cheesecake

Eggnog Cheesecake! Rich, creamy cheesecake scented with nutmeg and spiked with a healthy dose of (optional) Bourbon. A gingersnap crust and whipped cream topping finish this luscious dessert.

If you love a cup of creamy-boozy eggnog, you’ll definitely love the flavor of this creamy boozy cheesecake. If you prefer your eggnog alcohol-free, simply omit the booze.

It’s a very easy cake to mix and bake. You just have to work at least a day ahead to give the cake time to set in the refrigerator.

This Eggnog Cheesecake is a perfect dessert for the holidays. You might also want to try making Eggnog Panna Cotta or Eggnog Macarons.

Ingredients for Eggnog Cheesecake:

Ingredient Notes:

• Gingersnaps: Use packaged or homemade gingersnaps.
• Cream Cheese: I use Philadelphia brand cream cheese.
• Bourbon: Any brown liquor can be used. Rum or brandy would be a good alternative to bourbon. For an alcohol-free cake you can simply eliminate the liquor.
• Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg is more fragrant than pre-ground nutmeg. If using pre-ground, taste the batter and add more nutmeg as needed.

How to make Eggnog Cheesecake:

• Grind the gingersnaps and sugar in a food processor.
• Add the melted butter and pulse to combine.

• Pour the gingersnap crumbs into a 9″ cake pan or springform pan.
• Pat the crumbs into an even layer. Bake until browned and fragrant.

• Mix the cream cheese and sugar until combined.
• Add the heavy cream.
• Add the bourbon, vanilla and nutmeg.
• Add the eggs and mix on low speed until combined.

• Place the cheesecake pan into a slightly larger pan and pour water to come halfway up the side of the cake pan.
• Bake the cheesecake for about 11/4 hours. Cool to room temperature then chill until firm.

• Use a blow torch or a bowl of hot water to warm the sides of the cake pan.
• Run a knife around the cake then flip it out of the pan. Flip the cake back over onto a serving plate.
• Top the cake with whipped cream and nutmeg.

Pastry Chef tips for making perfect cheesecake:

• To avoid lumps of cream cheese in the batter, make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. Thoroughly scrape the bowl and beater after mixing the cheese and sugar and after each addition of eggs to the batter.
• Do not mix the batter on high speed, especially after the eggs are added. Over mixing aerates the batter, causing it to puff up and crack as it bakes.
• If you use a springform pan wrap the pan in foil so water doesn’t leak into the pan.
• Do not use the convection setting of your oven. Convection baking is not good for custards.
• Remove the cake from the oven when the center 3″ or so still “jiggles” when you tap the pan. It will continue cooking as it cools.
• When the cake comes out of the oven run a paring knife around the top edge of the cake to separate it from the pan. This will help prevent cracking as the cake cools .
• Chill the cake completely in the refrigerator before unmolding. As long as the cake is completely chilled it will be firm enough to flip out of a regular cake pan without cracking.

How to work ahead:

• Cheesecake can be baked and refrigerated 3-4 days before serving. The cake can be frozen for up to a month. Wrap in a double layer of plastic before freezing.
• Add the whipped cream topping within 8 hours of serving.

Tips for storing Eggnog Cheesecake:

• Cheesecake can be held for 2-3 hours at cool room temperature.
• The cheesecake will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Individual slices of leftover cheesecake can be frozen for up to a month.

More Cheesecake Recipes

• New York Cheesecake
• San Sebastian Cheesecake
• Butterscotch Cheesecake
• Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Tart
• Chocolate Orange Cheesecake
• Lime Layered Cheesecake
• White Chocolate Cheesecake
• Banana Cheesecake Cheesecake

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.