Creamy Cranberry Cheesecake

From Taste of Home

This creamy cheesecake is perfect for holiday desserts. The colorful topping is so good that I prepare it separately and use it as a cranberry side dish at Thanksgiving. —Mary Simonson, Kelso, Washington

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 55 min. + chilling

Makes

16 servings

Ingredients

• 9 whole cinnamon graham crackers, crushed
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed
• 1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese, cubed
• 3/4 cup fat-free sour cream
• 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon rum extract

Topping:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

• Combine the cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a 9-in. springform pan coated with cooking spray. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheeses, sour cream and remaining sugar until smooth. Add egg whites; beat on low just until combined. Stir in lemon juice and extracts. Pour into crust.
• Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. Place in a larger baking pan. Add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
• Bake for 55-60 minutes or until center is just set. Remove pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Remove foil. Chill overnight.
• In a small saucepan, combine the first five topping ingredients; bring to a boil. Add cranberries. Cook over medium heat until berries pop, about 10 minutes. Stir in pecans; cool. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
• Spoon topping over cheesecake to within 1 in. of edges. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts 

1 slice: 269 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 294mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.

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• Bee Sting Cake