Decadent Holiday Brandy Alexander Cheesecake
Celebrate the festive season with this luxurious Decadent Holiday Brandy Alexander Cheesecake, combining rich creaminess and the wonderful flavors of brandy and chocolate. This cheesecake is not only indulgent but can also be made ahead of time, making it a perfect dessert for holiday gatherings. Keep it frozen for up to a month – just wrap the springform pan tightly with foil and place it into a zip-top plastic freezer bag for easy storage. The chilling process is essential for enhancing the cheesecake's silky texture and rich flavor, ensuring each slice is a true delight. Impress your guests with this exquisite treat topped with fresh berries for a splash of color and a hint of tartness.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
chocolate-flavored bear-shaped graham crackers
10 ounces (crushed (about 2 1/4 cups))
butter
6 tablespoons (melted)
sugar
2 tablespoons (divided)
cream cheese
32 ounces (softened to room temperature (4 packages of 8 ounces each))
sugar
1 1/4 cups
cornstarch
3 tablespoons
eggs
4 large (at room temperature)
brandy
4 tablespoons (divided)
Creme de Cacao
4 tablespoons (divided)
sour cream
16 ounces (at room temperature)
fresh berries
to taste (for garnish (blackberries, currants, raspberries, strawberries))
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed chocolate-flavored bear-shaped graham crackers, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Mix until well combined.
2
2. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Place the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes to set the crust.
3
3. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and cornstarch at medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
4
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating at low speed just until the yellow disappears after each addition. Carefully mix in 3 tablespoons of brandy and 3 tablespoons of crème de cacao until just blended.
5
5. Pour the cheesecake filling into the prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the center is nearly set.
6
6. In the last 2 minutes of baking, prepare the topping by combining the sour cream, remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of brandy, and 1 tablespoon of crème de cacao in a bowl.
7
7. After 1 hour of baking, carefully spread the sour cream mixture over the cheesecake. Bake for an additional 8 minutes.
8
8. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and gently run a knife along the outer edge of the cheesecake to loosen it. Allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for about 1.5 hours.
9
9. Cover the cooled cheesecake and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours to enhance flavor and texture.
10
10. When ready to serve, carefully remove the sides of the springform pan and transfer the cheesecake onto a serving plate. Garnish with fresh blackberries, currants, raspberries, or strawberries as desired.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
25g
Carbs
5g
Protein
16g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary flavors of the Decadent Holiday Brandy Alexander Cheesecake?
The cheesecake features a luxurious combination of rich creaminess with the distinct flavors of brandy and chocolate.
What type of crust is used for this cheesecake?
The crust is made from crushed chocolate-flavored bear-shaped graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (163°C).
How do I prepare the crust?
Combine the crushed crackers, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar, then press firmly into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
Should the crust be chilled before adding the filling?
Yes, place the prepared crust in the freezer for 10 minutes to set before adding the filling.
How long should I beat the cream cheese mixture?
Beat the softened cream cheese, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and cornstarch at medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
How should eggs be added to the cheesecake batter?
Add the eggs one at a time, beating at low speed just until the yellow disappears after each addition.
What liqueurs are included in the filling?
The filling includes 3 tablespoons of brandy and 3 tablespoons of crème de cacao.
What is the initial baking time for the cheesecake?
The cheesecake should be baked for 1 hour, or until the center is nearly set.
What ingredients are in the sour cream topping?
The topping consists of 16 ounces of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of brandy, and 1 tablespoon of crème de cacao.
When should the topping be applied?
Spread the sour cream mixture over the cheesecake after it has baked for 1 hour.
How much longer do you bake the cheesecake after adding the topping?
Bake for an additional 8 minutes after applying the topping.
What should I do immediately after removing the cheesecake from the oven?
Gently run a knife along the outer edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan.
How long does the cheesecake need to cool in the pan?
Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack for about 1.5 hours.
How long should the cheesecake be refrigerated before serving?
Refrigerate the cheesecake for 8 to 24 hours to enhance the flavor and texture.
Can this cheesecake be made ahead of time?
Yes, it is a perfect make-ahead dessert and can be kept frozen for up to a month.
How should I store the cheesecake in the freezer?
Wrap the springform pan tightly with foil and place it into a zip-top plastic freezer bag.
What are the recommended garnishes for serving?
Garnish with fresh blackberries, currants, raspberries, or strawberries as desired.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 300 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 20g of fat.
How much sugar is in one serving?
There are 16g of sugar per serving.
How much protein does this cheesecake provide?
Each serving contains 5g of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 25g of carbohydrates per serving.
What size springform pan is required?
A 9-inch springform pan is needed for this recipe.
Why is the chilling process essential?
Chilling is essential for enhancing the cheesecake's silky texture and rich flavor.
What temperature should the cream cheese be for mixing?
The cream cheese should be softened to room temperature.
Should the eggs and sour cream be at room temperature?
Yes, both the eggs and the sour cream should be at room temperature for the best results.
How many ounces of cream cheese are used in total?
The recipe uses 32 ounces of cream cheese, which is four 8-ounce packages.
Is cornstarch used in this recipe?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch are mixed into the cream cheese filling.
What is the total amount of brandy used in the entire recipe?
A total of 4 tablespoons of brandy is used (3 in the filling and 1 in the topping).