Classic dessert recipe
Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake
A creamy classic cheesecake finished with a vibrant prickly pear jelly and sour cream topping.
- Serves 16
- 50–55 min bake
- 4 hr chill
The signature topping is the star
The topping combines 16 ounces of sour cream with one entire 5 oz jar of Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly — stirred together until the jelly breaks up and colors the cream.
Cheri's Desert Harvest's source recipe uses exactly one 5 oz jar, which matches the product size linked on this page.
The topping is prepared while the filling comes together, then poured over the baked cheesecake for a final 5-minute bake that sets the vibrant prickly pear layer.
Why Prickly Pear Works Here
Prickly pear jelly adds a vivid magenta color that contrasts beautifully with creamy cheesecake and a golden graham cracker crust.
Prickly pear is often described as fruity and distinctive, but flavor varies by fruit and preparation. Mixed into sour cream, the jelly creates a visually unusual dessert with a Southwest-inspired character.
The jelly-sour cream combination is added after the main bake, so the topping stays glossy and distinct from the dense cheesecake filling beneath.
How to Get a Smooth Topping
- Stir the entire 5 oz jar of prickly pear jelly into 16 oz sour cream gradually to break up jelly clumps.
- Continue stirring periodically while preparing the filling for better incorporation and more vibrant color.
- Keep the topping at room temperature until ready to pour — cold sour cream can make the jelly harder to blend evenly.
Why Keeping the Topping Separate Matters
- The sour cream and jelly mixture is not added until after the main cheesecake bake is complete.
- Pour the topping immediately after removing the cheesecake from the oven, then return it for an additional 5-minute bake.
- This two-stage bake sets the topping without overcooking the creamy filling beneath.
Chilling and Slicing
- Cool the cheesecake completely on a rack before removing the springform rim.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving so the filling and topping fully set.
- For cleaner slices, use a thin sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. Optional prickly pear cactus syrup can be drizzled over each slice before serving.
Ingredients
Three components — crust, prickly pear topping, and creamy filling — based on Cheri's Desert Harvest's Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake recipe.
Crust
1 package graham crackers
1/4 cup crushed pecans
optional
1 tablespoon sugar
5 tablespoons butter, melted
Topping
16 ounces sour cream
1 x 5 oz jar Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly
Filling
4 x 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
2 pounds total
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons lemon extract
4 eggs
Ingredients listed above follow Cheri's Desert Harvest's Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake recipe. The topping uses one entire 5 oz jar of prickly pear jelly.
This recipe specifically calls for one 5 oz jar of Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly in the sour cream topping. The product linked on this page is the 5 oz (140g) jar available through our Amazon listing.
How to Make Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake
Work in three phases: crust, prickly pear topping, then cheesecake filling and bake.
Phase 1 — Crust
Crush graham crackers and optional pecans
Place graham crackers in a zip-lock bag and crush with a rolling pin or in a food processor. Repeat with the nuts if using.
Combine crumbs, pecans and sugar
Combine graham crackers, pecans and sugar in a small mixing bowl.
Stir in melted butter
Slowly stir in melted butter, a little at a time, until moistened.
Press into springform pan
Press mixture onto the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
Phase 2 — Prickly Pear Topping
Stir jelly into sour cream
Stir 1 x 5 oz jar prickly pear jelly into 16 oz sour cream to break up jelly clumps.
Stir topping periodically
Stir periodically while preparing the filling for better incorporation and more vibrant color. Set aside.
Phase 3 — Cheesecake
Beat cream cheese
Using a food processor or mixer, beat cream cheese until creamy.
Slowly add sugar
Slowly add sugar while mixing until blended and smooth.
Add lemon extract and eggs
With mixer on low speed, add lemon extract and eggs, one at a time until incorporated. Pour over crust.
Bake the cheesecake
Bake for 50–55 minutes (45–50 minutes for convection oven).
Add topping and finish baking
Remove from oven and immediately pour topping onto cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes.
Cool completely
Remove to cooling rack. Cool completely before removing rim.
Refrigerate
Refrigerate 4 hours before serving.
Optional syrup drizzle
If desired, drizzle Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup on top of each slice before serving.
Printable recipe
Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake
A creamy classic cheesecake finished with a vibrant prickly pear jelly and sour cream topping.
Updated September 2, 2026 · Recipe concept: Cheri's Desert Harvest's Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake recipe
- Serves:
- 16
- Bake:
- 50–55 minutes
- Convection:
- 45–50 minutes
- Chill:
- 4 hours
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 package graham crackers
- 1/4 cup crushed pecans (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
Topping
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 1 x 5 oz jar Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly
Filling
- 4 x 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature (2 pounds total)
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon extract
- 4 eggs
Ingredients listed above follow Cheri's Desert Harvest's Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake recipe. The topping uses one entire 5 oz jar of prickly pear jelly.
Directions
Crush graham crackers and optional pecans
Place graham crackers in a zip-lock bag and crush with a rolling pin or in a food processor. Repeat with the nuts if using.
Combine crumbs, pecans and sugar
Combine graham crackers, pecans and sugar in a small mixing bowl.
Stir in melted butter
Slowly stir in melted butter, a little at a time, until moistened.
Press into springform pan
Press mixture onto the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
Stir jelly into sour cream
Stir 1 x 5 oz jar prickly pear jelly into 16 oz sour cream to break up jelly clumps.
Stir topping periodically
Stir periodically while preparing the filling for better incorporation and more vibrant color. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese
Using a food processor or mixer, beat cream cheese until creamy.
Slowly add sugar
Slowly add sugar while mixing until blended and smooth.
Add lemon extract and eggs
With mixer on low speed, add lemon extract and eggs, one at a time until incorporated. Pour over crust.
Bake the cheesecake
Bake for 50–55 minutes (45–50 minutes for convection oven).
Add topping and finish baking
Remove from oven and immediately pour topping onto cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes.
Cool completely
Remove to cooling rack. Cool completely before removing rim.
Refrigerate
Refrigerate 4 hours before serving.
Optional syrup drizzle
If desired, drizzle Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup on top of each slice before serving.
Serve
Serves 16.
Tips for Classic Prickly Pear Cheesecake
Room-temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly and helps prevent lumps in the filling.
Stir the jelly into sour cream gradually and keep stirring while the filling is prepared — the color deepens as the jelly incorporates.
Do not skip the 4-hour chill; the cheesecake needs time to set before slicing.
Explore more ways to use prickly pear jelly beyond cheesecake — muffins, glazes, and cheese boards all work well.
Explore more ways to use prickly pear jelly in our complete guide.
One 5 oz jar is part of the recipe
This recipe specifically calls for one 5 oz jar of Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly in the sour cream topping.
- 16 oz sour cream
- +
- 1 x 5 oz jar prickly pear jelly
About the jelly in this recipe
Packaged product reference for the 5 oz jar used in the topping above. Cheri's Desert Harvest Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly — 5 OZ / 140g (ASIN B000MBM8T8).
Cheri's Desert Harvest
Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly
5 OZ / 140g
Ingredients
- Organic Prickly Pear Cactus
- Organic Lemon Juice
- Pure Cane Sugar
- Citrus Pectin
- Citric Acid
- Made in USA
- Contains Fresh Fruit Juices
- No Artificial Colors
- No Preservatives
5 OZ / 140g · Southwest specialty · Made in USA · View ingredients · Explore serving ideas
More ways to use prickly pear jelly
After muffins, try these ideas from the Prickly Pear Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about the muffins and prickly pear jelly.
- What is prickly pear cheesecake?
Prickly pear cheesecake is a classic baked cheesecake topped with a sour cream and prickly pear jelly mixture. Cheri's Desert Harvest's recipe uses one 5 oz jar of jelly stirred into 16 oz sour cream for a vibrant magenta topping.
- How do you make prickly pear cheesecake?
Prepare a graham cracker crust, mix sour cream with one 5 oz jar of prickly pear jelly, bake a cream cheese filling over the crust, then pour the topping on immediately and bake 5 minutes more. Chill 4 hours before serving.
- How much prickly pear jelly goes into this cheesecake?
The source recipe calls for one entire 5 oz jar of Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly stirred into 16 ounces of sour cream for the topping.
- Can I use another fruit jelly?
Yes, another thick fruit jelly or jam can work in the sour cream topping, though prickly pear jelly gives this cheesecake its signature color and Southwest character.
- Why is prickly pear jelly mixed with sour cream?
The sour cream lightens the jelly into a spreadable topping that bakes into a glossy, colorful layer over the cheesecake. Stirring periodically helps break up jelly clumps and deepen the color.
- How long does the cheesecake bake?
Bake the filling for 50–55 minutes in a standard oven, or 45–50 minutes in a convection oven. After adding the topping, bake an additional 5 minutes.
- How long should the cheesecake chill?
Refrigerate the cooled cheesecake for 4 hours before serving so the filling and topping fully set.
- Can I use prickly pear syrup on top?
Yes. The source recipe suggests optionally drizzling Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup over each slice before serving.
- Where can I buy prickly pear jelly?
Cheri's Desert Harvest Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly (5 oz / 140g, ASIN B000MBM8T8) is available through the Amazon listing linked on this page.
Ready to try a cheesecake with a prickly pear twist?
Make the classic topping with one 5 oz jar, then explore more prickly pear jelly recipes.
5 OZ / 140g · Southwest specialty · Made in USA · View ingredients · Explore serving ideas