Malibu Rum Cheesecake
This Malibu Rum Cheesecake is brightly-colored and eye-catching, making it a great choice for any special occasion or just to serve as an after-dinner treat. It’s easy to make, so you don’t have to worry about taking up too much of your time in the kitchen.
We think that this beautiful cheesecake is perfect for summer because the bright colors and the sweet flavors of Malibu Rum make for a delicious combination. Plus, it’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests!
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Beautiful colors, sweet flavors of Malibu Rum, and easy to make! What’s not to love?
- It’s a show stopping dessert that will look great on your dessert table for holidays and cookouts.
- You can make it ahead of time to save time on the day of your event.
🛒Ingredients
While this ingredient may seem long, most of these ingredients are commonly found in your pantries and fridges so you don’t have to worry about making a trip to a specialty store for expensive ingredients.
Crust
- Graham Crackers
- Butter
- Sugar
Cheesecake
- Whipping Cream
- Cream Cheese
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Eggs
- Flour
- Malibu Rum
- Maraschino Cherry Juice
- Pink Food Coloring Gel
- Red Food Coloring Gel
- Orange Food Coloring Gel
- Maraschino Cherries
- Orange
Frosting
- Cream Cheese
- Butter
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Vanilla
- Pinch of Salt
- Powdered Sugar
- Bright Yellow Food Coloring Gel
See the recipe card below for quantities.
🔪 How to Make Malibu Rum Cheesecake
Making this cheesecake takes a little bit of effort, but it’s worth it. You won’t regret taking the time to make this brightly-colored dessert after your first bite.
Step 1: Preheat the oven and adjust your racks
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, and make sure the oven rack is in the middle of the oven.
Step 2: Make the crust
Place the Graham Crackers in a food processor or blender, and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Place the Butter in a bowl, and microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the Butter is melted. Pour the Graham Cracker Crumbs into the bowl of melted butter, and add the Sugar on top of the crumbs. Stir together until the crumbs are coated in the Butter.
Step 3: Add the crust to the pan
Line the Bottom of a 9-inch Spring-form pan with Parchment Paper, and pour the Crust mixture on top of the Parchment, and press evenly into the bottom of the pan with the back of a large spoon. Set aside.
Step 4: Make the cheesecake filling
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the Cream Cheese, Whipping Cream, Sugar, Vanilla, and Eggs, and mix on low until blended. Turn up the Mixer to medium-high, and mix well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again to make sure the batter is smooth.
Step 5: Add the flour and rum
Add the Flour and Rum, and mix on low until blended into the batter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, turn the mixer speed up to medium-high, and blend until well mixed.
Step 6: Color the batter
Divide the batter into three equal amounts, using 2 bowls, and pour 1/3 of the Batter into each bowl, and leave 1/3 of the Batter in the mixing bowl. In one bowl, add the Tablespoon of Cherry Juice, and stir to mix. Add several drops of Pink Food Coloring Gel, and then 2 or 3 drops of Red Food Coloring Gel, and stir well. Stir until the Food Coloring Gel is completely mixed, and you should have the pinkish red layer; if the color is not bright enough, add more pink, and a little more red Food Coloring Gel to the bowl, and stir well, until you get the desired color.
Step 7: Make the orange batter
In the other bowl, add the Orange Food Coloring Gel until you get a bright Orange color (See Photos). Starting with the Pink Batter, pour the Pink Batter into the Spring-form pan, on top of the Graham Cracker Crust. Pour the Orange Batter on top of the Pink Batter, pouring in the middle of the pink batter. Pour the White Batter into the Mixing bowl right in the middle of the Orange Batter – Batter will move around in the pan, and that’s okay, it will make the layers and colors very similar to the Malibu Sunset Cocktail, only as a Cheesecake.
Step 8: Bake the cheesecake
Carefully place the Spring-form pan in the oven, right in the center of the oven. Place a small dish of Water right underneath the Cheesecake pan. Bake the Cheesecake for about 1 1/2 hours, to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the Cheesecake is no longer runny in the center, and only wobbles a little in the center when jiggled.
Step 8: Chill the cheesecake
When the Cheesecake is done, turn off the oven, and leave the Cheesecake in the Oven for 10 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven to a wire rack, and cool completely. When Cool, wrap in Parchment Paper, and Aluminum Foil, and place in the Refrigerator overnight.
Step 9: Make the frosting
Place the softened Cream Cheese, and Butter in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, and mix until completely smooth and creamy. Add the Whipping Cream, Vanilla, and Salt, and mix until smooth and creamy. Add the Powdered Sugar 1 cup at a time, blending between additions, until all the Powdered Sugar has been added.
Step 10: Color the frosting
Add several drops of bright Yellow Food Coloring Gel to the Frosting, until you have a bright Yellow color.
Step 11: Frost the cake
Using a large Whipped Cream Tip place the tip in a pastry bag, and fill the bag with the Frosting. Remove the Cheesecake from the refrigerator, and remove the Spring-form from the pan. Place the pan on a Cake Stand, or Cake Plate, and pipe the Frosting on the top of the Cheesecake, around the edges, and in the center, making big fluffy dollops all around the Cheesecake.
Step 12: Garnish the cheesecake
Place Maraschino Cherries on top of the Dollops, and Orange Slices between Dollops of Frosting, so that each piece has the Fruit garnish served. Place the Cheesecake back in the refrigerator until time to serve.
Step 13: Serve and enjoy
Cut in 2-inch pieces, serve, and enjoy!
📝Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!
- Colors: Use different types of Food Coloring Gels to create different colors, such as blue, green, or purple.
- Crust: Substitute the Graham Cracker Crust with a shortbread crust or Oreo cookie crumb crust for added flavor.
- Topping: Top with fresh fruits in addition to cherries and oranges for even more flare.
If you love boozy cheesecake recipes, then next time you may want to give this Strawberry Champagne Cheesecake recipe a try.
🥄 Equipment
To make this creamy and sweet cheesecake you will need a few simple kitchen tools. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this sweet treat in no time at all.
- 9-inch Spring-form Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Stand Mixer
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Spatula’s
- Pastry Bag
- Whipped Cream Tip
🥫 Storage
Storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing – You can also freeze cheesecake, wrapped tightly in parchment paper and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
💭 Tips
Here are a few tips that you can use to ensure that this cheesecake turns out perfectly for you every time that you make it.
- It is important to use Food Coloring Gel, as regular food coloring will not give you the bright color that makes this Cheesecake resemble a Malibu Sunset.
- Make sure to use room-temperature ingredients for the filling, as this will ensure that everything blends together smoothly.
- Make sure to let the cheesecake cool completely before adding the frosting and decorations.
- When cutting, use a sharp knife dipped in warm water and wiped clean between each cut for perfectly sliced pieces of cheesecake every time.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
No, adding rum to a cheesecake will not prevent it from setting as long as you use the appropriate amount. recipe.
No, it is best to use Food Coloring Gel to get the best color and to prevent your batter from being too runny.
When the center of the cheesecake is almost set, but still slightly jiggly, then it is done baking.
🍽 More Cheesecake Recipes
Do you enjoy cheesecakes, try these delicious recipes:
📌 PIN IT!!
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this Malibu rum cheesecake recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Malibu Rum Cheesecake
Equipment
- 9-inch Spring-form Pan
- parchment paper
- Stand mixer
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Spatulas
- Pastry bag
- Whipped Cream Tip
Ingredients
Crust
- 12 Graham Crackers crushed
- 6 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
Cheesecake
- ½ cup Whipping Cream
- 32 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 2 cups Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
- 4 Eggs
- ½ cup Flour
- ⅓ cup Malibu Rum
- 1 Tablespoon Maraschino Cherry Juice
- Pink Food Coloring Gel
- Red Food Coloring Gel
- Orange Food Coloring Gel
- Maraschino Cherries to decorate
- 1 large sweet Orange to decorate
Frosting
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1 stick of Butter softened
- ¼ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- Pinch Salt
- 32 ounces Powdered Sugar
- Bright Yellow Food Coloring Gel
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, and make sure the oven rack is in the middle of the oven.
- Place the Graham Crackers in a food processor or blender, and pulse until you have fine crumbs.
- Place the Butter in a bowl, and microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the Butter is melted.
- Pour the Graham Cracker Crumbs into the bowl of melted butter, and add the Sugar on top of the crumbs.
- Stir together until the crumbs are coated in the Butter.
- Line the Bottom of a 9 inch Spring-form pan with Parchment Paper, and pour the Crust mixture on top of the Parchment, and press evenly into the bottom of the pan with the back of a large spoon. Set aside.
- In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the Cream Cheese, Whipping Cream, Sugar, Vanilla and Eggs, and mix on low until blended.
- Turn up the Mixer to medium high, and mix well. Scrape down the sides of bowl and mix again to make sure the batter is smooth.
- Add the Flour and Rum, and mix on low until blended into the batter.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and turn the mixer speed up to medium high, and blend until well mixed.
- Divide the Batter into three equal amounts, using 2 bowls, and pour 1/3 of the Batter into each bowl, and leave 1/3 of the Batter in the mixing bowl.
- In one bowl, add the Tablespoon of Cherry Juice, and stir to mix. Add several drops of Pink Food Coloring Gel, and then 2 or 3 drops of Red Food Coloring Gel, and stir well. Stir until the Food Coloring Gel is completely mixed, and you should have the pinkish red layer; if the color is not bright enough, add more pink, and a little more red Food Coloring Gel to the bowl, and stir well, until you get the desired color.
- In the other bowl, add the Orange Food Coloring Gel until you get a bright Orange color.
- Starting with the Pink Batter, pour the Pink Batter into the Spring-form pan, on top of the Graham Cracker Crust.
- Pour the Orange Batter on top of the Pink Batter, pouring in the middle of the pink batter.
- Pour the White Batter in the Mixing bowl right in the middle of the Orange Batter – Batter will move around in the pan, and that’s okay, it will make the layers and colors very similar to the Malibu Sunset Cocktail, only as a Cheesecake. Carefully place the Spring-form pan in the oven, right in the center of the oven.
- Place a small dish of Water right underneath the Cheesecake/pan.
- Bake the Cheesecake for about 1 1/2 hours, to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the Cheesecake is no longer runny in the center, and only wobbles a little in the center when jiggled.
- You’ll need to watch the Cheesecake after about an hour, to jiggle the pan just slightly, and when it’s ready to take out, the center will only wobble a little, like Jell-O when it’s set, or firm.
- If the Cheesecake still appears really wiggly in the center, or runny, it’s not done.
- Continue to bake until the center is a Jell-O like consistency.
- When the Cheesecake is done, turn off the oven, and leave the Cheesecake in the Oven for 10 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven to a wire rack, and cool completely.
- When Cool, wrap in Parchment Paper, and Aluminum Foil, and place in the Refrigerator overnight.
- The next day, make the Butter Cream Frosting:
- Place the softened Cream Cheese, and Butter in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, and mix until completely smooth and creamy.
- Add the Whipping Cream, Vanilla, and Salt, and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Powdered Sugar 1 cup at a time, blending between additions, until all the Powdered Sugar has been added. Add several drops of bright Yellow Food Coloring Gel to the Frosting, until you have a bright Yellow color.
- Using a large Whipped Cream Tip, (SEE LINK) place the tip in a pastry bag, and fill the bag with the Frosting.
- Remove the Cheesecake from the refrigerator, and remove the Spring-form from the pan.
- Place the pan on a Cake Stand, or Cake Plate, and pipe the Frosting on the top of the Cheesecake, around the edges, and in the center, making big fluffy dollops all around the Cheesecake.
- Place Maraschino Cherries on top of the Dollops, and Orange Slices between Dollops of Frosting, so that each piece has the Fruit garnish served.
- Place the Cheesecake back in the refrigerator until time to serve.
