HOLIDAY SPICE CHEESECAKE

Holiday Spice Cheesecake image

Here is THE perfect dessert to top off Christmas dinner. It's simply stunning with a filling that's creamy and rich with brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice. It freezes well, so busy holiday cooks can make it a month in advance, then defrost in the fridge and trim with whipped cream before serving.-Colleen Arnold, Sublette, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h15m

Yield 12-16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

9 whole graham crackers
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
FILLING:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups sour cream
2-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
TOPPING:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

Place graham crackers and walnuts in a food processor; cover and process until nuts are finely chopped. Add butter and cinnamon; process until blended. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside., For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the sour cream, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet. , Bake at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. , For topping, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Transfer to a pastry bag with a star tip. Pipe around edge of cheesecake; sprinkle with cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 358 calories, Fat 24g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 117mg cholesterol, Sodium 239mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.