Description
This Cotton Candy Maple Bacon Cheesecake combines a silky cream cheese filling with real maple syrup, crispy bacon crumbles, and whimsical cotton candy in a buttery graham cracker crust. The perfect sweet-savory showstopper for special occasions that balances rich maple flavors with salty bacon contrast and a magical cotton candy finish.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
1/2 cup melted butter
16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup cotton candy (spun sugar) or stabilized spun topping
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
Additional cotton candy for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, stir graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar, and melted butter until evenly moistened. Press mixture into bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
2. Beat softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth (2-3 minutes on medium speed). Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated. Stir in vanilla and maple syrup.
3. Gently fold in cotton candy (sparingly to avoid dissolving) and crumbled bacon. Pour batter over crust and tap pan to release air bubbles.
4. Place springform pan in larger roasting pan. Add hot water halfway up sides for water bath. Bake 40-45 minutes until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.
5. Turn off oven, crack door, and cool 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
6. Just before serving, garnish with fresh cotton candy and extra bacon crumbles. Slice with hot, clean knife for neat pieces.
Notes
For best results, bring cream cheese and eggs to room temperature 1-2 hours before starting.
Cook bacon until very crisp and drain well on paper towels to prevent oil from affecting texture.
Cotton candy dissolves quickly – add sparingly to filling and reserve most for garnish.
Water bath helps prevent cracks – wrap pan in foil to prevent leaks.
Chill overnight for cleanest slices and best flavor development.
Store covered in refrigerator up to 5 days. Can freeze unfrosted slices up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 125mg