Peppermint Creamy Cheesecake (Printable Format)
Festive, creamy dessert with peppermint flavor and a crunchy candy cane topping.
# What You Need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
02 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cheesecake Filling
03 - 24 oz cream cheese, softened
04 - 1 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/3 cup sour cream
06 - 3 large eggs
07 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
08 - 1 tsp peppermint extract
09 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
10 - A pinch of salt
→ Topping
11 - 1 cup heavy cream, cold
12 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
13 - 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
14 - Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes to garnish
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
02 - Combine chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter in a medium bowl. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
03 - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
04 - Add sour cream, eggs one at a time, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, heavy cream, and salt. Mix just until combined, scraping down sides as needed. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Pour mixture over cooled crust and smooth the surface evenly.
06 - Place springform pan inside a larger roasting pan. Fill outer pan halfway up sides of springform with hot water.
07 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly. Turn off oven, leave door slightly open, and let cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
08 - Remove cheesecake from oven and water bath. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
09 - Whip cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and peppermint extract until stiff peaks form.
10 - Spread or pipe whipped cream over chilled cheesecake. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or candy canes on top before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This cheesecake blends the rich creaminess of classic dessert with a refreshing peppermint twist you won&t want to keep to yourself
- The topping of crushed candy canes adds a festive crunch that became an instant holiday favorite for my family
02 -
- Don't rush the cooling process; cheesecake needs time to set properly or it can turn out dense
- The water bath is a game changer for avoiding cracks and ensuring a silky texture
03 -
- Mix your filling gently to keep it light but thoroughly combined
- The key to the perfect topping is using cold cream and a chilled bowl for whipping