Desserts, Recipes · November 29, 2021

Candy Cane Cheesecake in the Instant Pot

Name: Candy Cane Cheesecake In the Instant Pot
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 33 min
Ingredients: 6 Graham crackers; 3 Tbsp. butter, melted; 16 oz. cream cheese, softened at room temperature; 3/4 cups sugar; 1/3 cup sour cream, at room temperature; 1/3 cup heavy cream, at room temperature; 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract; 1 Tbsp. peppermint extract; 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour; 3 eggs at room temperature; A few drops of natural red food coloring; 24 oz. white chocolate melts (I use Ghirardelli ); 8 oz heavy whipping cream; Crushed Candy Canes for topping

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Making cheesecake in the Instant Pot is an easy way to have a delicious dessert that’s one of everyone’s favorites! This delicious Candy Cane Cheesecake in the Instant Pot is one of my favorite holiday desserts and is something my family looks forward to eating every year. I first made this years ago for my mom website, but I love the recipe so much that it’s followed me over here. I hope you enjoy it!

Candy Cane History

Did you know candy canes were originally created in order to keep children quiet in church?

According to the folklore story, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany wanted to keep children quiet during a long performance at the Christmas Eve mass. He asked a local candy maker to make the sugar sticks and had them bent in the shape of a Shepherd’s staff in honor of the Shepherd’s that visited Jesus.

Whether or not you believe the story, I think we can all agree that candy canes and Christmas are synonymous. I know I love the taste of anything peppermint this time of year, especially when you couple it with some chocolate.

Making the Candy Cane Cheesecake in the Instant Pot

When I decided I wanted to make a dessert inspired by the candy cane I passed on cookies, cake and brownies. I went for cheesecake because it’s one of my favorites. With its creamy texture and the variety of different tastes you can create, there’s no denying cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. Coupled with the cool, winter taste of peppermint and you have a dessert that will certainly keep little children quiet while they gobble it all up.

Making this originally, I decided to make the cheesecake in the Instant Pot because I was intrigued that I could actually make a dessert like this in that machine. This is still really one of my favorite ways to make a cheesecake. It feels pretty hands off while baking, which I actually love. Truth be told, no dessert gives me more anxiety when cooking than a cheesecake.

ALSO, here’s the great thing about this. Even though this is my Candy Cane Cheesecake recipe, you can make any cheesecake in the Instant Pot with the time and instructions in this recipe.

Cheesecake in the Instant Pot Cookware needed

7-inch spring form pan. This can be found {HERE}. You may have a tough time finding the smaller size in a physical store.
Electric pressure cooker. I use an Instant Pot. Specifically, this one {HERE}.

Candy Cane Cheesecake cooking tips

If you want to cook the cheesecake in the oven, place your springform pan in a roasting pan and add one inch of water to the pan. Make sure that springform is TIGHT. You can also add some tin foil to the bottom on the pan to make sure nothing seeps in. Then don’t forget to tent too.
The topping for this is a ganache so just be sure to let that come to the appropriate temperature BEFORE topping your cheesecake. You don’t want it to be too hot or you’ll do some damage to the top of the cake.
Don’t try to use a 9-inch spring form pan for this cheesecake in the Instant Pot. It won’t fit.
If you want to skip using food coloring, just remember that cheesecake cooks up a little yellow. It won’t be pure white if that’s what you’re looking for. You can use this nature inspired food coloring {HERE}, which I’ve found works much better with truer colors than anything else.
Don’t forget the tent! Whether you’re cooking this in the pressure cooker or the oven, tenting is essential for good cheesecake.
Also, make sure your eggs and other ingredients are room temperature. It’s necessary for cheesecake.

Thank you so much for visiting today, friends! I hope you enjoy this Candy Cane Cheesecake in the Instant Pot. You can find the full, printable recipe below, and please let me know if you have any questions or comments. If I don’t get back to you in time over here, try reaching out to me on my Instgram accounts @rachelquenzer or @sugarmaplefarmhouse.