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    Home » Recipes » Holiday Sweets and Treats

    Reindeer Cheesecake Recipe

    Published: Dec 7, 2021 · Modified: Sep 15, 2023 by Eileen Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Two photos of a reindeer cake - one a slice of the cake with a red m and m for the nose, the second photo is the whole cheesecake.

    Reindeer Cheesecake is festive and fun and makes for a delicious Christmas dessert. This traditionally flavored cheesecake is going to be the star of your holiday dessert table this Christmas. This festive cheesecake is going to fly right off your dessert table holiday season.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • This reindeer cheesecake recipe has all the flavor of a classic recipe but with a festive twist on the top.
    • A homemade cheesecake like this makes for a family-favorite holiday dessert recipe.
    • The creamy, cheesy goodness of this dessert is sure to please even the most discerning palate.
    • So easy to make that anyone can do it! And the kids can have a blast decorating their own slice.

    Ingredients

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Cheesecake Crust

    • graham cracker crumbs
    • white granulated sugar
    • unsalted butter, melted

    Cheesecake Filling

    • cream cheese, softened
    • granulated sugar
    • vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • large eggs

     Glaze

    • confectioners sugar 
    • vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract 
    • water or milk

     Toppings

    • candy eyes
    • red m&m
    • brown m&ms
    • pretzel twists

    Equipment

    • measuring cups and spoons
    • small mixing bowl
    • 9-inch springform pan
    • large mixing bowl
    • hand mixer
    • knife
    • medium-sized mixing bowl
    • cake knife

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    Assemble the crust

    Step 1: In a small bowl, combine graham crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter.

    Step 2: Press onto the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.

     Cheesecake Filling

    Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat together cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla until blended.

     Step 2: Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing at low speed after adding each egg just until combined.

    Step 3: Pour mixture over crust.

    Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for about 55 minutes. The center will be almost set.

    Step 5: Run a knife around the rim of the pan and cool on the counter before removing the rim.

    Step 6: Refrigerate cheesecake for 4 hours.

    Step 6: Once the cheesecake is chilled, add the glaze and decorate.

    Cheesecake Glaze

    Step 1: In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar with vanilla bean paste and start with one tablespoon of milk or water, you want a very thick glaze that is still pourable but thick. Add more milk if needed.

    Step 2: Pour the glaze on the cheesecake 

    Serving the cake

    Step 1: Slice the cake into 8 slices but leave them together. Add antlers, eyes, a nose to each slice.

    Storage

    Store in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    I don't recommend adding the eyes and candy to your cheesecake until you are ready to serve it.

    Freezer Tips: The reindeer cheesecake can be frozen. I recommend freezing it undecorated. Place on a baking sheet in the freezer for about ½ hour to get solid.

    Then place in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost in the fridge, about 4-5 hours and decorate. Then serve.

    Expert Tips

    Expert Tip: To ensure a cheesecake is fully cooked give your cheesecake a light jiggle, if only the center moves slightly then your cheesecake is done.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use a different crust?

    Yes! Use your favorite crust. Shortbread or Oreo crusts would work well with this recipe.

    Can I freeze a cheesecake?

    Yes, cheesecake can be frozen up for up to three months, be sure to wrap your cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap.

    Why did my cheesecake turn out lumpy?

    If your cheesecake batter is lumpy that means that you didn't allow your ingredients to come to temperature. It is essential when making a cheesecake that your ingredients are at room temperature before you start.

    Can I make this recipe without the glaze?

    Yes, you could skip the glaze if desired.

    Variations

    • The glaze recipe makes enough for a thin coating on the cake. If you want a thicker glaze, double the recipe.
    • For a fun twist, add red-colored sugar sprinkles or crushed candy canes to the crust.
    • Leave off the candy eyes, M&M's, and pretzels if you want a delicious plain cheesecake.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can never go wrong with a comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup on a chilly day.

    Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs are a delicious appetizer that makes a great addition to any party.

    There is no better way to start your day than with this Easy Cheesy Sausage and Egg Casserole.

    Whiskey Pecan Pie is mouthwateringly delicious and a recipe that you must make this holiday season.

    Similar recipes

    Grinch Cupcakes are super festive and would look great on the holiday dessert table next to this cheesecake.

    No holiday party is complete without delicious cookies and these Fruitcake Cookies are perfect for Christmas.

    There is no better way to warm up on a cold day than with a cup of this Instant Pot Hot Chocolate recipe.

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Thank you for the continued support. I am forever grateful.

    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    📖 Recipe

    Reindeer Cheesecake Recipe

    Festive Holiday cheesecake decorated to create fun reindeer slices of cheesecake. Perfect for family parties, office celebrations, and kids parties.
    Print (Email Required) Pin Rate
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Christmas dessert, reindeer cheesecake, rudolph cheesecake
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes
    cooling time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 452kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • 9 inch springform pan
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Knives

    Ingredients

    Cheesecake Filling

    • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs    
    • 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
    • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 4 (8 ) ounce packages, cream cheese, softened
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • 4 large eggs

    Glaze

    • 2 cups confectioners sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • 1-2 Tablespoons whole milk

    Toppings

    • 16 candy eyes
    • 1 red, M & M
    • 7 brown, M & M
    • 16 pretzels twist

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    Instructions

    Cheesecake Filling

    • Heat oven to 325°F. 
    • In a small bowl, combine graham crumbs, white sugar, and melted butter; press onto the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside
    • Beat cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla with an electric hand mixer until blended.
    • Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing at low speed after each just until combined.
    • Pour over crust.
    • Bake 55 minutes until the center is almost set.
    • Run a knife around the rim of the pan. Let the cake continue cooling a bit before removing rim.
    • Refrigerate cheesecake at least 4 hours or overnight.
    • Once the cheesecake is chilled, add the glaze and decorate.

    Make the glaze and decorate the cake

    • Combine the powdered sugar with 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste and start with one tablespoon of milk or water. You want a very thick glaze that is still pourable but thick.
    • Pour the glaze on the cheesecake.
    • Slice the cake into 8 slices but leave together. This will make it easy to add the antlers, etc.
    • Add antlers, eyes, and a nose to each slice.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    NOTES

    Be sure to check Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
    Variation : 
    • The glaze recipe makes enough for a thin coating on the cake. If you want a thicker glaze, double the recipe.
    • For a fun twist, add red-colored sugar sprinkles or crushed candy canes to the crust.
    • Leave off the candy eyes, M&M's, and pretzels if you want a delicious plain cheesecake.
    I'm not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
     
    Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 397IU | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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