Cinnamon Cheesecake

Featured in Sweet bites of pure joy.

A luscious dessert blending snickerdoodle flavors with cheesecake. Built on a graham cracker base, loaded with cinnamon chips, and crowned with a rich sour cream layer.

alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Wed, 21 May 2025 10:16:57 GMT
A rich cheesecake with a crumbly crust and a cinnamon garnish, with a slice missing, placed on a metallic tray. Pin it
A rich cheesecake with a crumbly crust and a cinnamon garnish, with a slice missing, placed on a metallic tray. | tasteofsavor.com

This dessert is pure cozy vibes. I dreamed it up by mixing my grandma’s snickerdoodle cookies with the smoothest cheesecake ever. The awesome cinnamon sugar yumminess of snickerdoodles is even better next to tangy cream cheese and lots of buttery crumbs. Whenever I share this at parties folks always bug me for how to make it.

Irresistible Dessert Everybody Wants

The first bite and you’ll totally get why this has turned into a major crowd-pleaser for me. That blend of melty cinnamon, creamy middle, and a crunchy graham base seriously hits the spot. It’s the best watching friends light up after trying it especially when it’s chilly and all anyone wants is sweet comfort.

Grab These Things

  • 1 cup sour cream plus 1/4 cup sugar: Stir these up for a dreamy topping.
  • 1 cup cinnamon chips: You’ll find spicy sparkles in every bite.
  • 4 large eggs: These turn everything creamy and dreamy.
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon: That’s how you get big snickerdoodle vibes.
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar plus 2 teaspoons vanilla: Sweetness and a touch of flavor magic together.
  • 4 blocks cream cheese: Bring them to room temp for easy mixing.
  • 1/2 cup melted butter: I go with unsalted so the flavors shine on their own.
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs: Extra points for cinnamon ones—they boost the cozy.

Super Easy Steps

Finish Strong
Smooth your sweetened sour cream mix on top before sharing. That’s your wow factor.
Bake It Up
Dump the cheesy filling in the crust. Snuggle the pan into a water bath. Bake at 325°F for about an hour and fifteen minutes, until the middle slightly shakes. Let it cool down totally, then chill it in the fridge overnight.
Mix Filling
Grab cream cheese and sugar and whip until they turn fluffy. Toss in cinnamon and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time. Gently fold in cinnamon chips.
Kick Off With the Crust
Stir melted butter into graham crumbs until it all clumps like beachy sand. Push it into your springform pan and up the sides. Chill it until set.

Switch It Up

I sometimes swap in crumbled snickerdoodle cookies for the base. My sister’s wild about using chocolate chips instead of cinnamon ones. If I’m in a rush, I just dust the top with cinnamon sugar and skip the sour cream mix.

Store It Right

This treat stays awesome for a week in the fridge. Leave it loosely wrapped for the first couple days, then seal up tight. Need leftovers to last? Wrap slices super well and freeze—good for three months. Thaw them overnight when you need ‘em.

Insider Tips

Don’t skip the water bath—no one likes cracks! If you mix in the eggs too much you’ll get bubbles. Let the cake cool down slowly in a turned-off oven with the door open a bit—this stops it from sinking or cracking.

A cinnamon-topped cheesecake with whipped cream and a wedge missing, sitting on a gray serving plate. Pin it
A cinnamon-topped cheesecake with whipped cream and a wedge missing, sitting on a gray serving plate. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the point of a water bath?

A water bath keeps moisture around the cake, stops cracking, and promotes even baking.

→ Is this okay without cinnamon chips?

Absolutely! Boost the cinnamon with a bit more spice or toss in white chocolate chips—or just leave them out.

→ Why chill it all night?

Letting it chill overnight makes it firm up nicely and enhances the taste and texture.

→ What's the purpose of using foil?

Foil shields the pan from water seeping in during the water bath process while baking.

→ Can this dessert be frozen?

Sure thing. Freeze it without the topping for up to two months, and add the topping after defrosting.

Cinnamon Cheesecake

This dreamy cheesecake brings snickerdoodle vibes with a cinnamon crust and chip-filled layers, topped with sweetened sour cream.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
70 Minutes
Total Time
95 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (1 cheesecake)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup melted butter.
02 3 soft 8 oz blocks of cream cheese (24 oz total).
03 4 eggs at room temperature.
04 1 cup sugar, split.
05 2 cups cinnamon graham cracker crumbs.
06 2 cups sour cream.
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
08 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder.
09 1 1/2 cups of cinnamon-flavored baking chips.

Instructions

Step 01

Cover a 9-inch springform pan with foil after greasing it. Start heating your oven to 325°F and set up a water bath.

Step 02

Combine the butter with the graham cracker crumbs. Press this mix along the bottom and sides of the prepared pan.

Step 03

Whip cream cheese with 3/4 cup of sugar till it’s creamy. Add vanilla and cinnamon. Mix eggs one at a time, keeping the mixer on low. Gently add cinnamon chips, then pour it into the crust.

Step 04

Bake in the oven for between 70 and 80 minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes, then take off the foil. Cool for at least an hour before refrigerating overnight.

Step 05

Combine the remaining sugar with the sour cream. Spread it evenly over the top of the cake once it’s fully chilled.

Notes

  1. Cooling overnight is necessary.
  2. If wrapped well, it can be frozen without adding the topping.
  3. Helps to use ingredients at room temperature.
  4. Avoids cracks by using a water bath.
  5. For special dinners or sweet cravings.
  6. Foil seals the pan tightly.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9-inch springform pan with a detachable base.
  • Sturdy foil for wrapping.
  • A mixer, either hand or stand.
  • A large pan for the water bath.
  • Cooling rack to rest the pan on.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (sour cream, cream cheese).
  • Uses eggs.
  • Includes wheat from graham crackers.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 513
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 8 g