Peppermint Cheesecake

Christmas just got sweeter thanks to this cool and creamy Peppermint Cheesecake with an Oreo cookie crust, crushed candy canes, and homemade peppermint whipped cream! Made without a waterbath for an easy festive holiday dessert.

I’m in love with peppermint.

I know I can order a peppermint mocha (or a peppermint hot chocolate) all year round, but there’s something magical about taking that first sip all bundled up in your winter coat with snow falling like someone shook a snow globe while listening to Jingle Bell Rock on the radio.

And since Pittsburgh got its first snow storm last week, it’s time to go full speed ahead on all the Christmas desserts!

I love this Peppermint Cheesecake for Christmas because it’s cool and refreshing in a chocolate cookie crust while looking festive with crushed candy canes and peppermint whipped cream.

You can even make a heart with candy canes on top for garnish!

Much like my gingerbread cheesecake, this Christmas cheesecake is made without a water bath.

This peppermint cheesecake recipe is based on my classic cheesecake with peppermint extract added for that familiar menthol taste.

Otherwise the candy cane taste would be too subtle.

So if you’re craving a little winter magic on your dessert table this holiday, whether it’s for your office Christmas party or for your friends and family to enjoy, one bite of this peppermint cheesecake and it’ll be your new holiday favorite.

Ingredients For Peppermint Cheesecake

Here’s what you need to make your candy cane cheesecake:

• Oreo cookie crumbs: I wanted to make a chocolate peppermint cheesecake, so I used Oreo cookies for the crust.
• Butter: Needed to bind the crust
• Salt: Just a pinch is needed
• Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese because the low fat and fat free versions have more water in them and may be too watery after baking.
• Granulated sugar: Adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the tanginess of the cream cheese
• Eggs: Adds structure to the batter and also helps the cheesecake rise
• Peppermint and vanilla extracts: Adds flavor to the batter

Make sure of your ingredients are at room temperature and not cold to the touch!

If they are after sitting out for a bit, you can microwave cream cheese in 5-10 second increments (without the foil wrapper! Do not microwave the foil wrapper) and place eggs in a warm bowl of water.

If the cream cheese or eggs are too cold, the batter will seize up and become lumpy. And you don’t want a lumpy cheesecake.

What pan do I need to make cheesecake?

All 9 inch cheesecake recipes like this candy cane cheesecake use a springform pan because you can remove the sides of the pan.

Cheesecake is way too delicate to invert it like you would with my small chocolate cake.

Only have a 6 inch springform pan? Make my 6 inch cheesecake recipe for your Christmas for two using 1+ 1/2 Oreo cookie crumbs, 4 tablespoons butter, and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract.

Don’t have a springform pan? Add 1 teaspoon peppermint extract to loaf pan cheesecake.

How To Make Peppermint Cheesecake

Now that you gathered your ingredients, here’s how to make your peppermint cheesecake recipe:

1. Mix together cookie crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt then pat into the bottom and sides of your springform pan.
2. Beat together cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
3. Add egg, peppermint extract, and vanilla then transfer to your pan.
4. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 150F. There will still be a slight wiggle in the middle.
5. Cool 1 hour then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

Refrigerate leftover cheesecake in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

How To Tell When Cheesecake Is Done

The best way to check if your Christmas cheesecake is done is when the internal temperature reaches 150F using a digital thermometer.

However if you don’t have one, visually it’ll be firm to the touch and only a small circle in the center jiggles when moved.

If a large portion is moving, you can put it back in for another 5 minutes. Don’t use a knife to check as the hole left behind may cause cracking.

How To Decorate Cheesecake

As mentioned earlier, I used peppermint whipped cream to garnish my candy cane cheesecake.

Other flavors that pair well are traditional homemade whipped cream, chocolate whipped cream, or even cream cheese whipped cream.

You can also cover it with chocolate ganache for a more elegant finish.

What To Make With Peppermint Extract

Since you’ll have a whole bottle of peppermint extract in your pantry now, what do you make with it? Here are some recipes using peppermint extract:

• Peppermint Bark Brownies
• Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
• Mint Frosting
• Mint Fudge

More Cheesecake Recipes

If you enjoyed this peppermint cheesecake recipe, you’ll also like these other cheesecake recipes:

• Chocolate Cheesecake
• German Chocolate Cheesecake
• Pecan Pie Cheesecake
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake
• Carrot Cake Cheesecake

First published December 8, 2015