Festive Cranberry Jam Cheesecake (Printable Version)

Whip up an unforgettable dessert with this Cranberry Jam Cheesecake. It features bold jam, creamy cheesecake, and a dreamy chocolate mousse topping.

# What You’ll Need:

01 - 16 oz of fresh cranberries.
02 - 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract.
03 - 1 cup regular white sugar.
04 - 5 tablespoons melted butter.
05 - 1 vanilla bean.
06 - 1 tsp vanilla extract.
07 - 3/4 cup heavy cream for whipping.
08 - 24 oz thick cream cheese, softened.
09 - 8 oz fluffy whipped topping (like COOL Whip).
10 - 8 oz softened cream cheese.
11 - 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs.
12 - 2 eggs.
13 - 2 tablespoons plain sour cream.
14 - 1/4 cup packed brown sugar.
15 - 2 tablespoons corn starch.
16 - 8 oz white chocolate bars for baking (2-4 oz bars).
17 - 1/2 cup regular white sugar.
18 - Another 1 tsp vanilla extract.

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Blend the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter, brown sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract. Stir till it holds together. Spread the mixture across the pan's bottom and partway up the sides.
02 - Toss the cranberries, sugar, and some vanilla into a pot. Heat it all together until the berries burst and it thickens up.
03 - Take half the cranberry jam and spread it evenly over the prepared crust.
04 - Whip the softened cream cheese with the sugar on medium-high. Blend in sour cream, eggs, heavy cream, and corn starch, one at a time. Scrape out the vanilla bean seeds and mix them in too.
05 - Pour the cheesecake mix over the jam layer and crust. Bake gently at around 325°F for 50-60 minutes, checking for edges that look firm but a slightly wobbly center.
06 - Once the cheesecake has cooled to room temp, spread the rest of the cranberry jam across the top. Cover with cling wrap and chill for at least 4 hours.
07 - Melt the white chocolate, following the package instructions. Beat cream cheese until smooth and drizzle in the melted chocolate while mixing. Gently fold in the whipped topping until everything's fluffy.
08 - Layer the white chocolate mousse on top of the chilled cheesecake. Optionally, keep some mousse aside to pipe designs if you like.
09 - Place candied cranberries on top of the mousse for a pop of color (totally optional).
10 - Want to make candied cranberries? They're optional but fun! With extra effort, you can enjoy some as a snack and the rest as decorations.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Let the cheesecake chill for at least 4 hours before you dig in.
02 - To make it fancy, you can decorate with extra mousse using tips for piping.
03 - Candied cranberries take a while to prepare but bring a festive touch if you have time.