A favorite around the Christmas holidays, eggnog cheesecake is a unique dessert that provides the savory and distinct flavoring of eggnog in a cheesecake, as the name suggests. While available at upscale restaurants and in cheesecake samplers, making an eggnog cheesecake can be done fairly easily at home. To find out more about this sweet treat, read on to learn how to make eggnog cheesecake.

Like any standard cheesecake, eggnog cheesecake starts with a graham cracker crust. This can be purchased pre-made in a grocery store or made at home using crushed graham crackers, sugar and butter.

The filling however, with its unique eggnog flavoring, must be created at home. This is done by combining cream cheese with sugar, eggnog, eggs, spices and a bit of rum if desired.

There are several ways to vary the recipe, including changing ingredients in the crust and filling, as well as topping the completed cake with one of more flavored sauces. Gingersnaps can be used in place of graham crackers in the crust for additional flavoring, while extra spices and flavorings can be added to the filling like vanilla and even chocolate.http://www.thenaptimechef.com/2009/11/eggnog-cheesecake-with-gingersnap-crust.html For toppings, sauces made with nuts, like pecans, or fruits, like pomegranate, are also popular.http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/31/Christmas_Eggnog_Cheesecake45678.shtml http://www.thenaptimechef.com/2009/11/eggnog-cheesecake-with-gingersnap-crust.html Simple toppings like whipped cream can also be added in a pinch.http://baking.about.com/od/cheesecakes/r/eggnog.htm

To make eggnog cheesecake easily at home for your holiday gathering, you'll need to gather your ingredients, then prepare and bake the cake. for additional options, check out the variations on the recipe listed below.

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a medium bowl. Mix with a fork until the crumbs are just moistened.
3. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a nine-inch spring form pan.
4. Bake for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.
5. Increase the oven to 425 degrees F.
6. Combine the cream cheese, sugar and eggnog in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer, if possible, until smooth and creamy.
7. Add in the eggs, vanilla, nutmeg and salt. Mix until well combined.
8. Pour the filling over the cooled crust in the spring form pan.
9. Bake for about 10 minutes, then reduce the heat and bake for 45 minutes longer.
10. Remove from oven and using a butter knife, release the cake from the sides of the pan.
11. Allow to cool completely, then remove from pan and serve, or refrigerate to enjoy later.

Crust Variations

1. Substitute gingersnap cookies for the graham crackers and add in 1/4 cup chopped walnuts if desired.http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/pumpkin-eggnog-cheesecake-2251
2. Replace the graham cracker crumbs with crushed Nilla wafer cookies.http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/31/Christmas_Eggnog_Cheesecake45678.shtml

Filling Variations

1. Stir in 1/4 cup rum, cognac or brandy.http://www.egg-nog.info/Egg_Nog_Cheesecake_Recipe.html
2. Add in a variety of spices, like cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cloves.http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/pumpkin-eggnog-cheesecake-2251
3. Reduce the cream cheese to two packages and add one can of pumpkin puree for a pumpkin eggnog cheesecake.http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/pumpkin-eggnog-cheesecake-2251

Topping Ideas

1. Top with a sauce made with cornstarch, water, brown sugar, rum and pecans.http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/31/Christmas_Eggnog_Cheesecake45678.shtml
2. Create a fruit sauce using your favorite fruit mixed with sugar, cornstarch and fruit juice or water. Pomegranate and cranberries work well.http://www.thenaptimechef.com/2009/11/eggnog-cheesecake-with-gingersnap-crust.html