Poppy Seed Zebra Cheesecake
Poppy Seed Zebra Cheesecake – an Easy Yet Show-Stopping Cheesecake with White Chocolate
There’s something truly magical about desserts that look spectacular but don’t actually require advanced baking skills. This poppy seed zebra cheesecake is a perfect example: easy to make, yet incredibly eye-catching. The combination of creamy cheesecake filling, aromatic poppy seeds, and sweet white chocolate creates a dessert that impresses from the very first look — and bite.
If you’re searching for a holiday cheesecake that will wow your guests, this poppy seed and white chocolate cheesecake is absolutely worth trying. It’s perfect for Christmas, but honestly so good it will tempt you all year round!
Table of content
Poppy Seed & White Chocolate Cheesecake – Step by Step
If you love the flavors of classic cheesecake and poppy seed cake, you have to make this beautiful and delicious poppy seed and white chocolate cheesecake this year.
Poppy Seed Zebra Cheesecake Recipe (with Video)
Wyposażenie
- Tortownica o średnicy około 24 cm.
Składniki
Crust
- about 150 g spiced shortbread cookies ((ginger or speculoos-style) about 5.5 oz)
- about 50 g butter (melted)
Zebra Cheesecake Filling
- 200 g white chocolate
- 100 ml heavy whipping cream
- 1 kg cream cheese (room temperature)
- 4 eggs (large)
- 50 g sugar (¼ cup (or to taste))
- 1 package vanilla pudding mix ((about 1.4 oz / 40 g, preferably sugar-free))
- 90 g ground poppy seeds ((about 1 cup))
- Flavoring ((optional – I used a small amount of almond extract))
White Chocolate Topping
- 100 g white chocolate
- 50 ml heavy whipping cream
- Candied orange peel ((optional, for decoration))
- Ground poppy seeds ((optional, for decoration))
Instrukcja
How to make poppy seed zebra cheesecake step by step
Step 1 – Prep
- Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C) using conventional bake (top & bottom heat, no fan). Place an oven-safe dish filled with water on the bottom rack.
- Heat the heavy cream until hot, then add the chopped white chocolate. Stir until fully melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.200 g white chocolate, 100 ml heavy whipping cream
- Line the bottom of the springform pan with parchment paper. Grease the sides with butter and dust lightly with flour.
Step 2 – Make the Crust
- Crush or blend the cookies into fine crumbs. Mix with the melted butter.about 150 g spiced shortbread cookies, about 50 g butter
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Step 3 – Make the Cheesecake Filling
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla pudding mix, and flavoring (if using). Mix briefly — just until combined.1 kg cream cheese, 4 eggs, 50 g sugar, 1 package vanilla pudding mix, Flavoring
- Add the slightly cooled white chocolate mixture and mix again briefly.
- Transfer about ⅓ of the cheesecake batter to a separate bowl and stir in the ground poppy seeds.90 g ground poppy seeds
Step 4 – Create the Zebra Pattern
- Pour a portion of the plain cheesecake batter over the crust.
- Spoon a portion of the poppy seed batter into the center.
- Continue layering the two batters alternately until both are used.
Step 5 – Bake the Zebra Cheesecake
- Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for about 1½ hours.
- Turn off the oven, crack the door open slightly, and let the cheesecake cool gradually inside.
Step 6 – Make the White Chocolate Topping
- Heat the heavy cream, add the chopped white chocolate, and stir until smooth. Let cool slightly.100 g white chocolate, 50 ml heavy whipping cream
- Spread the topping over the cooled cheesecake.
- Decorate with candied orange peel and ground poppy seeds, if desired.Candied orange peel, Ground poppy seeds
- Chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator before serving.
Film
Uwagi
Wartości Odżywcze
Why You’ll Love This Zebra Poppy Seed Cheesecake
I have to admit — I baked this cheesecake three times before I was fully happy with the final result. The cheesecake itself tasted amazing every time, but the zebra stripes weren’t quite right at first. After some trial and error, I finally perfected it.
You have to agree — the poppy seed stripes look stunning in this cheesecake. And the best part? The recipe is quick, simple, and totally beginner-friendly. The combination of cream cheese, poppy seeds, and white chocolate makes it perfect for Christmas, but it’s also great for family celebrations and special occasions.
Make sure to save this recipe (on Instagram or Pinterest!) and bake it for your loved ones.
Ingredients for Zebra Cheesecake with Poppy Seeds
To make this easy poppy seed cheesecake, you’ll need just nine basic ingredients. Below is a short list of what I used, along with possible substitutions:
- Cream cheese – I’ve used different brands each time; feel free to use your favorite full-fat cream cheese
- White chocolate – You’ll need about 10.5 oz (300 g) total (including the topping, if you’re making it). Always check package weights — some bars are only 3 oz or even smaller
- Heavy whipping cream – I used 30% heavy cream
- Spiced cookies – I used Speculoos cookies, but gingerbread cookies or plain graham crackers work too
- Poppy seeds – Use ground poppy seeds. You can buy them pre-ground, or grind cooked and well-drained whole poppy seeds three times
- Vanilla pudding powder – I used sugar-free vanilla pudding mix. If yours contains sugar, you may want to reduce the added sugar in the cheesecake
How to Layer the Batter to Create the Zebra Pattern
To achieve a beautiful zebra pattern, layer the two batters alternately. I used a large soup ladle and a big spoon. Add slightly more of the plain cheesecake batter, gently spreading it out. Spoon the poppy seed batter mostly into the center, then let it slowly spread outward. You don’t need to push the batter all the way to the edges — it will naturally spread under its own weight. I ended up with three layers of poppy seed batter and four layers of plain batter. Start with the plain batter and finish with it as well.
How to Bake a Zebra Cheesecake Without Cracks
Baking a smooth, crack-free cheesecake can feel tricky, but these tips always work for me:
- Mix briefly – Don’t overmix the batter or incorporate too much air
- Lower temperature, longer bake – Bake at 300–325°F (150–160°C) for about 1½ hours
- Conventional bake setting – Always use top/bottom heat, not convection
- Water bath or steam – A water bath ensures even baking. If I don’t have time, I place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack so steam forms during baking
- Slow cooling – After baking, turn off the oven, crack the door open, and leave the cheesecake inside for about 1 hour. Then refrigerate to chill completely
How to Decorate a Holiday Poppy Seed Cheesecake
I kept my decoration simple: candied orange peel around the edges and a light sprinkle of ground poppy seeds. If you’re not a fan of candied peel, crushed spiced cookies work beautifully too. You can also decorate with mini gingerbread cookies, chocolate ornaments, or sugar decorations. Fresh cranberries and mandarin segments look gorgeous as well. Anything festive will work perfectly!
How to Store Poppy Seed Zebra Cheesecake
This cheesecake is best stored in the refrigerator — it tastes even better chilled! It can sit at room temperature for a few hours on a holiday table. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
How Many Calories Are in Zebra Poppy Seed Cheesecake?
The nutrition table below the recipe shows calories per 3.5 oz (100 g) of cheesecake. If you divide the cake into 12 equal slices, each slice contains about 458 calories (carbs: 36 g, protein: 16 g, fat: 28 g). Using a richer cream cheese will increase the calorie count. To lighten the cheesecake slightly, you can skip the cookie crust and the white chocolate topping.
Poppy Seed Zebra Cheesecake – The Perfect Holiday Dessert
I hope this detailed recipe encourages you to try this poppy seed and white chocolate cheesecake. Be sure to check out my short video tutorial where I show exactly how I made it. With these tips, baking the perfect holiday cheesecake is absolutely achievable!
Save this recipe for later, share it with others, and don’t forget to leave a comment below.
Recommended Cheesecake Recipes
Be sure to check out my other cheesecake recipes — different flavors, different add-ins, all homemade and delicious. I recommend starting with a few favorites below, and you’ll find many more on the blog.
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Christmas Poppy Seed Cheesecake Recipe
Looking for an idea for a truly special holiday cheesecake? This poppy seed zebra cheesecake is a simple yet incredibly eye-catching dessert made with poppy seeds and white chocolate that delights both in flavor and appearance.
The step-by-step recipe is enriched with an instructional video and behind-the-scenes preparation photos, making it easy to create the perfect dessert for Christmas and other special occasions.