Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake
Creamy, spiced, and indulgent, this cheesecake combines a buttery cinnamon graham cracker crust, a luscious cheesecake filling, and a rich cinnamon sugar swirl — finished with a dreamy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
9 full sheets graham crackers
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
6 Tbsp melted butter
For the cheesecake filling:
32 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp vanilla
4 eggs
3 Tbsp flour
For the cinnamon swirl:
¾ cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
6 Tbsp flour
6 Tbsp melted butter
For the frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
¼ cup butter, room temperature
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
For cinnamon sugar piping effect:
1 Tbsp very soft butter
½ tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
Method:
Make the crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, pulse graham crackers, brown sugar, and cinnamon into fine crumbs. Mix in melted butter until it clumps. Press into the bottom of a greased 9” springform pan. Bake for 7 minutes, then remove and cool. Lower oven to 320°F (160°C).
Prepare the cheesecake filling:
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and beat again. Mix in vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in sour cream, then flour until just combined.
Make the cinnamon swirl:
Stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and melted butter until crumbly.
Assemble:
Pour half the cheesecake batter over the crust. Sprinkle half the cinnamon swirl on top. Add the rest of the batter, then top with remaining swirl.
Bake in water bath:
Wrap pan in foil to prevent leaks, place in a larger pan, and pour in hot water. Bake 60–70 minutes, until set but slightly jiggly in the center. Cool completely, then refrigerate until firm.
Make the frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In another bowl, mix very soft butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
Decorate:
Line a piping bag with the cinnamon sugar mixture, then fill with frosting. Pipe swirls over the chilled cheesecake using a 1M tip for a bakery-style finish.
Serving Information:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 70 minutes
Chill Time: 4+ hours
Total Time: ~5 hours
Servings: 10–12 slices