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Cheesecake with Christmas Crack

A delightful cheesecake that combines rich, creamy layers with a crunchy, festive topping, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Holiday
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust Ingredients
  • 250 g Arnotts Salada Original crackers Reserve 6 crackers for later
  • 180 g unsalted butter Melted
Cheesecake Ingredients
  • 60 ml cold water
  • 3 tsp gelatine powder
  • 500 g cream cheese At room temperature
  • 140 g caster sugar
  • 500 ml thickened cream
  • 2 tbsp caramel spread
Christmas Crack Topping Ingredients
  • 160 g brown sugar
  • 125 g unsalted butter
  • 2 x 180g pkt dark chocolate Melted
  • 100 g white chocolate Melted
  • 50 g green and red M&Ms Minis

Method
 

Prepare the Crust
  1. Invert the base of a 20cm round springform cake pan and line it with baking paper.
  2. Process the majority of the Arnotts Salada crackers until they turn into fine crumbs.
  3. Combine the cracker crumbs with melted butter and press the mixture into the bottom of your pan.
  4. Chill the crust in the fridge for about 30 minutes to set.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
  1. Mix the cold water with gelatine and gently heat it until dissolved.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and caster sugar until smooth.
  3. Stir in the thickened cream and dissolved gelatine until well combined.
  4. Pour the mixture over the chilled cracker base and swirl in the caramel spread.
  5. Pop the cheesecake in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight to set.
Prepare the Christmas Crack
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (or 160°C for fan-forced ovens) and prepare a baking dish with baking paper.
  2. Arrange the reserved crackers in a single layer in the baking dish.
  3. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter, cooking until smooth and bubbling.
  4. Pour the mixture over the crackers and bake for 5 minutes.
  5. Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the mixture and let cool.
  6. Sprinkle melted white chocolate and M&Ms over the top and let set.
Serve
  1. Slice the cheesecake into generous pieces and plate with extra M&Ms for a festive touch.
  2. Serve with tea or coffee for a delightful dessert experience.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for the best texture. Consider adding vanilla extract for extra flavor. Don’t rush the chilling process.