When you think of winter flavors, refreshing peppermint comes to mind. It is a pillar of the holiday season, and while some will get their fix from candy canes, others will look to desserts like cheesecake to incorporate the taste. Cheesecake Factory will wait until after Thanksgiving to debut its latest menu addition, the Peppermint Bark Cheesecake. It is a white chocolate cheesecake swirled with chunks of chocolate peppermint bark, topped with white chocolate mousse and finished with chopped peppermint.

 

Eggnog has become another popular dessert enhancer, long since outgrown its simple flavor status as a casual holiday drink. It makes for a smooth cheesecake, and a taste that is creamy with a hint of vanilla. You can even use rum extract to give it a kick of spiciness that will appeal to the hardcore eggnog fan.

 

Let’s not forget an extremely popular flavor trend that will still be in season during these holidays: pumpkin spice. Undoubtedly, you’ve heard it mentioned as an inclusion in just about any food imaginable, but it makes for a stellar cheesecake recipe. Think pumpkin pie, only better. 

 

Color can also play an important part in holiday desserts. A flavor like red velvet thrives in this role because it matches holiday décor. On top of that, red velvet desserts tend to be incredibly rich, which is always welcome in cheesecakes.

 

Fruits such as raspberry and cranberry continue to make great cheesecake additions as well. While more citrusy fruits dominate the summer months, fruits with a sweet but less overwhelming taste match well with holiday cheesecakes.

 

Just as with any food type, flavor selection can depend on the base to which it’s applied. These flavors all pair perfectly with cheesecake because its creamy texture makes for the perfect complement to many sweet ingredients.

 

This decadent treat is popular not only because it is simple to make, but because the rich taste is the ideal end to the robust holiday meal.