Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

I love cheese. I love cake. I adore cheesecake. It is not the easiest thing to perfect but when you get the flavour combos right, it is a true gift to whoever gets to eat it. We had a potluck in December and in addition to scrumptious mac n cheese, I whipped up this gem. Working from a basic cheesecake recipe and slowly adding until I got it right, here is the Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake. Enjoy!

What you’ll need:

– 3 (8oz) pkg cream cheese

– 3/4 cup sugar

– 3 eggs

– 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

– 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

– 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

– 1 tsp vanilla extract

Crumb Crust

– 3 rows crushed oreos (with filling)

Whipped Cream Topping

– 1 cup heavy whipping cream

– 3 tbsp powdered sugar

– 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

What to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. In a blender/food processor, crush oreos, eliminating all chunky pieces.

2. Press into the bottom of a GREASED 9 inch springform pan, and slightly up side (1 inch). Bake for 10 mins in preheated oven. Set aside.

3.  Beat cream cheese, softened, with sugar. Add eggs. Add vanilla.

4. Separate batter into two bowls. In one bowl add melted semi sweet chocolate chips. (Melting chocolate on medium in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds until completely melted). In second bowl add melted white chocolate and all but 1 tbsp of crushed candy cane.

5. Alternate pouring both sides of batter onto crust, swirling with a spoon.

6. Add a bit of water to the bottom of a cookie sheet and place springform pan on top. Bake 45-50 minutes.

7. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack. Loosen sides with knife and allow to cool completely. Once cool, unlock and remove pan.

 

8. Loosen bottom with a knife and it should slide off if properly greased. If not, cake will need to be cut directly on the bottom of the springform bottom.

9. Drizzle with white chocolate, if desired.

10. In a bowl, combine whipping cream, vanilla and sugar and whisk it until it thickens to a whipped cream. Use spoon to top cheesecake or scoop whipped cream into press and squeeze desired design onto cake. Top with remaining crushed candy canes.