We had two choices for our holiday dessert – pumpkin pie and the cheesecake I made.
How do you choose?
Christmas Day… Once again, getting together with my whole family was wildly, loudly festive.
We eat great food.
We talk. We yell. We yell louder, to be heard over someone else talking / yelling at the same time.
Wine is poured. My new SodaStream is played with, my mom pushing the button and squealing at how fun it is.
Three dachshunds are running around underfoot. Their adeptness in catching falling food is judged against dachshunds that came before them.
We talk. We yell. When my brother in law has a bite of this cheesecake and cannot stop calling me dude and yelling about how rich it is?
I take that as a good sign.
double chocolate toffee cheesecake
crust
2 packages gluten free sandwich cookies*
1 stick butter, melted
Pulse cookies in food processor to a fine crumb. Alternately, place cookies in plastic bag and hit with rolling pin. Pour melted butter over cookies, combine. Press into spring-form pan, using Jason’s Bulleit shot glass. Set aside.
*I used Kinnikinnick cookies – one package fudge sandwich cremes, one package chocolate vanilla sandwich cookies.
filling
32 ounces (4 packages) cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tbsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 batch toffee, chopped
Using a stand mixer (or your arm!), mix softened cream cheese and sugar until combined. Add cocoa, combine. Add sour cream, vanilla, eggs. Combine thoroughly.
Pour / spread 3/4 of filling over crust. Add toffee pieces to remaining 1/4 filling mixture. Pour / spread over top as final layer.
Place cheesecake in a large roasting pan. Add small amount of water to pan (1/4 – 1/2 inch). Bake @ 325 for 75 – 90 minutes, until completely set. Turn oven off, leave cheesecake inside (with door open) another 30 minutes.
So. Back to the question, how do you choose? Most of us had both, that’s how. 
What did YOU have for holiday dessert?
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d have to go for that cheesecake, Kristina! It looks heavenly, although the pumpkin pie is a favorite of mine and looks really good, too. Your family gathering sounds similar to mine … loud, but lots of fun for sure.
We had more than enough desserts (crustless coconut pie, brown sugar chocolate chip cookies, mom’s fudge, coconut meringues, and even white candy cane fudge) as is always the case.
xo,
Shirley
oh I’d try both for sure, but those GF cookies are my favorite so I’d have to go back for seconds.
I ate anything chocolate in sight!
Sounds like a good day! This year my favorite dessert was the white chocolate almond cranberry bark. YUM
Hi, feed me please. Thank you.
This sounds absurdly good. It makes my fudge pies seem like small cookies. Totally want this.
Choose? Psh, choose is a dirty word. I say, have both! But I guess if I had to choose it would be your cheesecake
wow this looks absolutely fantastic!
I would have a little of both too. Good call! That cheesecake looks crazy good
Your holidays sound just like those with my family – very loud and with tons of food on hand. It doesn’t get better than that.
And your cheesecake looks Amazing! I’ve never made one but may have to try this one out. At our shindig, we had several choices too and of course I tried a bit of everything. Cookies, cannoli, pastries, etc. But I’m ready to get back to my veggies and non holiday routine.
That sounds fabulous! I love that the crust just has 2 ingredients – awesome!
Whoa girl!!! Our friend made a plain cheesecake (made with a Honey Bunches of Oats crust because he was out of graham crackers, lol!) and I made a pumpkin peanut butter crustless pie… I had both, dairy intolerance and all!
you should probably ask what we DIDN’T have! i mean really…i had brownies, cookies, candy, my god, i even ate a crapload of GUM
“Their adeptness in catching falling food is judged against dachshunds that came before them.” <– hahahahaaha, love this. Sounds like a perfect family gathering. I'd definitely try both of your desserts! The cheesecake sounds incredibly rich and delicious.
oh my goodness….this look amazing! How are these gf packaged cookies? I have never had them, but are always intrigued to try them!
I had lots of cookies, nanaimo bars, vegan gluten-free shortbread and my sis brought a cake home from work {which I did not have….but it looked pretty!}
xxoo
Wow-can I have all of the above? Yummm!
Yum!! We just had cookies this year! Wait – I take that back – my mom did make a pumpkin pie:)
We always have a tons of deserts gooey cookies, pineapple cake, apple cake, apple blondies, pumpkin pie, sour cream pound cake, cookies, chocolate bark…too many to pick just one, but I may have to add that cheesecake to the rotation…yum!