WINNING CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE

Winning Cranberry Cheesecake image

The holidays wouldn't be complete without cranberries and eggnog. I use them both in this flavorful cheesecake that's the perfect finale for a special dinner. Set it out at the start of the meal, not just to solicit "oohs" and "aahs," but to remind folks to save room for dessert! -Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup cranberry juice
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
CRUST:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 16 squares)
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
FILLING:
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup eggnog
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Steps:

In a large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in cranberry juice until smooth. Add cranberries. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; set aside. , Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add flour and beat well. Add eggs; beat on low just until combined. Add eggnog and vanilla; beat just until blended. Pour two-thirds of the filling over crust. Top with half of the cranberry mixture (cover and refrigerate remaining cranberry mixture). Carefully spoon remaining filling on top. Return pan to baking sheet., Bake until center is almost set, 60-70 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan. Spoon remaining cranberry mixture over cheesecake. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 345 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 112mg cholesterol, Sodium 161mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (44g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.