Description
A luxurious and festive dessert featuring a pistachio cookie crust, creamy pistachio cheesecake filling, and a vibrant cherry topping the perfect balance of rich, nutty, and fruity flavors.
Ingredients
For the crust:
1 1/2 cups pistachio cookies or graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios
1/3 cup melted butter
2 tbsp sugar
For the filling:
24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup pistachio paste or instant pistachio pudding mix
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
For the topping:
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
1/4 cup chopped pistachios (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix cookie crumbs, pistachios, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined. Blend in sour cream, pistachio paste, vanilla, and almond extract.
5. Pour the batter over the cooled crust and smooth the top.
6. Place the springform pan in a larger roasting pan and pour in hot water halfway up the sides (water bath).
7. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until the center is set but slightly wobbly.
8. Turn off oven, crack the door, and cool cheesecake inside for 1 hour.
9. Remove from oven, let cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
10. Top with cherry pie filling and garnish with chopped pistachios before serving.
Notes
For a fresher flavor, use homemade cherry compote instead of canned.
Add a drizzle of white chocolate or crushed pistachios for extra elegance.
Cheesecake can be made 1–2 days in advance and stored covered in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: cherry pistachio cheesecake, pistachio cheesecake, cherry dessert, holiday cheesecake, creamy nutty cheesecake