Instant Pot Christmas Swirl Cheesecake
Description
A creamy, festive Instant Pot Christmas Swirl Cheesecake with a red velvet swirl and buttery graham cracker crust. No oven, no water bath, and no cracks — just an easy, make-ahead holiday showstopper.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
- 32 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup red velvet cake mix
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For Cooking
- 1½ cups water
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, heavy cream, and sugar until just smooth. Divide the batter between two bowls.
- To one bowl, add the red velvet cake mix and red food coloring; mix until evenly colored. Leave the second bowl plain.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter for the crust.
- Line the bottom of a 7-inch springform pan with parchment and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Press the crust firmly into the base.
- Spoon in white batter to half-fill the pan. Drop ¼ cup red velvet batter into the center, then ¼ cup white batter on top, alternating until the pan is full.
- Drag a toothpick or skewer from the center outward to make straight lines, then draw a slow clockwise spiral from the center out to marble the colors.
- Pour 1½ cups water into the Instant Pot. Set the pan on the trivet and lower it into the pot using the handles.
- Lock the lid and seal the valve. Cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes, then allow a natural release for at least 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove the trivet with hot pads. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Add toppings, slice, and serve.
Equipment
- Instant Pot (6- or 8-quart)
- 7-inch Springform Pan
- Trivet
- Parchment Paper
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Notes
- Room-temperature cream cheese and eggs are essential for a smooth, crack-free cheesecake.
- Swap graham crumbs for crushed Oreos or gluten-free graham crackers.
- No red velvet mix? Tint plain batter with food coloring plus 1 tsp cocoa powder.
- Make-ahead friendly — bake 1–2 days in advance and top before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 655kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 11gFat: 54gSaturated Fat: 31gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 208mgSodium: 518mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 2006IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 152mgIron: 1mg