Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cheesecake is not only a visual delight but also a creamy, rich dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust and smooth filling. The red, white, and blue swirls give it a fun, festive look, making it the perfect addition to your patriotic celebrations. The best part? You can make it ahead of time, and it’ll keep well in the fridge for days, making it a great stress-free option for parties!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
For the Filling:
- 4 (8 oz) packages full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
For the Swirl Design:
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
- 3 tablespoons of the main cheesecake batter
- Extra red and blue gel food coloring
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
1. Prep the Pan
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Wrap the outside tightly with foil to prevent water from leaking in during the water bath.
2. Make the Crust
In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.
3. Beat the Cream Cheese
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until completely smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to eliminate lumps.
4. Add Sugar and Mix
Add the granulated sugar to the cream cheese and beat until well combined and smooth. Scrape the bowl again to ensure an even texture.
5. Incorporate Sour Cream and Vanilla
Add the sour cream and vanilla extract to the mixture. Mix on medium speed until everything is fully incorporated and the batter is creamy and uniform.
6. Add Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent excess air in the batter, which can lead to cracks during baking.
7. Color a Portion of the Batter
Scoop out about 1 cup of the finished batter and divide it evenly between two small bowls. Tint one bowl with red gel food coloring and the other with blue gel food coloring. Mix each until the color is fully saturated and vibrant.
8. Assemble the Layers
Pour the remaining white batter into the cooled crust and smooth the top. Drop alternating spoonfuls of red and blue batter over the surface in a loose spiral pattern to prepare for swirling.
9. Create Surface Swirls
Use a clean toothpick or skewer to drag lines from the center outward like pie slices, forming a starburst swirl pattern. Clean the toothpick occasionally for clean lines.
10. Swirl into the Filling
To carry the swirl design deeper into the cheesecake, gently insert the toothpick into the batter and push down slightly in several spots. Then, use the tip of a knife or skewer to lightly swirl within the filling without overmixing. This creates streaks of color inside the cheesecake without blending into muddy tones.
11. Bake in a Water Bath
Place the springform pan inside a larger roasting pan. Pour hot water into the outer pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform. Carefully transfer to the oven and bake for 55–70 minutes, or until the center is mostly set but still slightly wobbly when gently shaken.
12. Cool and Chill
Turn off the oven and crack the door open. Let the cheesecake rest inside for 1 hour to cool gradually. Remove it from the water bath, unwrap the foil, and refrigerate for at least 4–6 hours, preferably overnight, before slicing and serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 slices
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Additional Time: 6 hours (for cooling and chilling)
- Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Variations
- Use Different Colors: You can easily change the colors of the swirls to suit any occasion. For example, use green and red for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter.
- Add a Fruit Layer: For extra flavor, try adding a layer of fruit compote, like raspberry or strawberry, between the crust and filling before baking.
- Add a Graham Cracker Topping: For a little extra crunch, sprinkle some crushed graham crackers over the cheesecake after it’s chilled.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
- Freezing: This cheesecake freezes well! Store it in a tightly sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Reheating: There’s no need to reheat the cheesecake. Serve it chilled for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different crust?
Yes! While a graham cracker crust is traditional, you can swap it for other crusts like an Oreo or chocolate cookie crust for a different flavor profile.
Can I use different colors for the swirl?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different color combinations for the swirl, depending on the holiday or occasion.
How can I make sure the cheesecake doesn’t crack?
To minimize cracks, make sure you don’t overmix the batter and bake it in a water bath to keep the temperature even. Let the cheesecake cool gradually by leaving it in the oven with the door ajar for an hour.
Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, this cheesecake benefits from chilling overnight to allow the flavors to set and develop. It can be made up to two days ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
How do I slice the cheesecake cleanly?
To get clean slices, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it between cuts. This will help keep the slices neat without making a mess.
Conclusion
This Patriotic Swirl Cheesecake is the perfect dessert to make your 4th of July or summer celebration special. With its bold red, white, and blue swirl design, creamy filling, and golden graham cracker crust, it’s a stunning treat that everyone will enjoy. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s a dessert that will impress your guests and bring festive cheer to your table!
Patriotic Swirl Cheesecake Recipe
The Patriotic Swirl Cheesecake is a visually stunning and delicious dessert that’s perfect for 4th of July celebrations. This creamy New York-style cheesecake features vibrant red, white, and blue swirls, creating a festive treat with a buttery graham cracker crust and smooth, flavorful filling.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup melted unsalted butter
¼ cup granulated sugar
4 (8 oz) packages full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
Red gel food coloring
Blue gel food coloring
3 tablespoons of the main cheesecake batter
Instructions
- Prep the Pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Wrap the outside tightly with foil to prevent water from leaking in during the water bath.
- Make the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
- Beat the Cream Cheese: In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Sugar and Mix: Add the granulated sugar and beat until smooth.
- Incorporate Sour Cream and Vanilla: Add the sour cream and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until combined.
- Color a Portion of the Batter: Scoop out about 1 cup of the batter and divide it evenly into two small bowls. Tint one with red gel food coloring and the other with blue gel food coloring. Mix until vibrant.
- Assemble the Layers: Pour the white batter into the cooled crust. Drop alternating spoonfuls of red and blue batter in a spiral pattern over the surface.
- Create Surface Swirls: Use a clean toothpick or skewer to drag lines from the center outward, creating a starburst swirl pattern. Clean the toothpick between swirls.
- Swirl into the Filling: Gently insert the toothpick into the batter and push down slightly in several spots. Lightly swirl with a knife or skewer to create streaks without overmixing.
- Bake in a Water Bath: Place the springform pan inside a larger roasting pan. Pour hot water into the outer pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform. Bake for 55–70 minutes or until the center is mostly set but still slightly wobbly.
- Cool and Chill: Turn off the oven and leave the door open. Let the cheesecake rest for 1 hour. Remove it from the water bath, unwrap the foil, and refrigerate for 4–6 hours, preferably overnight.
Notes
Ensure the cheesecake is completely chilled before slicing for clean cuts.
The swirl design can be customized for any occasion with different colors.
Use a water bath to avoid cracks and maintain an even baking temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
