Dreamy Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe for Holidays

Decadent desserts often spark joy, and this chocolate peppermint cheesecake recipe delivers pure indulgence with every forkful.

Rich chocolate layers mingle seamlessly with cool, invigorating peppermint for a festive twist.

The creamy filling promises a luxurious texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Silky smooth and impossibly elegant, this dessert turns ordinary moments into extraordinary celebrations.

chocolate lovers will swoon over the deep, intense cocoa notes dancing with refreshing mint undertones.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of sweet and cool sensations that tantalize the palate.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this show-stopping dessert that’s sure to impress at any gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes

Calories: 462 kcal

Servings: 13

Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Ingredients

• Oreo Cookies: Provides rich, chocolatey base with deep flavor complexity and texture contrast.
• Butter: Binds crumbs together, creates crispy and smooth foundation for cheesecake.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers creamy, tangy backbone and smooth texture to cheesecake.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances flavors and adds perfect sweetness to filling.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances richness and creates silky, luxurious consistency.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate depth and provides deep, robust flavor.
• Eggs, Egg Yolk: Act as structural binder and contribute to smooth, custard-like texture.
• Chocolate: Adds intense chocolate flavor and creates luxurious, decadent profile.
• Peppermint Extract: Introduces refreshing, cool mint essence that complements chocolate.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates glossy, rich ganache with smooth melting properties.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create silky, pourable ganache with perfect consistency.
• Candy Canes: Provides festive decoration and crisp peppermint crunch.

Equipment to Build Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

• Food Processor: Essential for crushing Oreo cookies into fine crumbs.
• Electric Mixer: Crucial for beating cream cheese and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Springform Pan (9-inch): Necessary for creating and removing the cheesecake.
• Roasting Pan: Used for creating a water bath during baking.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Perfect for melting chocolate in intervals.
• Small Saucepan: Helps heat cream for ganache topping.
• Aluminum Foil: Needed to create a waterproof seal for the springform pan.
• Wire Rack: Helps cool the cheesecake after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Rubber Spatula: Useful for scraping bowl and spreading mixtures.

Make Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake with Ease

• Crust Preparation

Create a cozy cookie base by crushing Oreo cookies into fine crumbs and mixing with melted butter. Press the mixture into a springform pan, forming a solid foundation for your decadent dessert.

• Chocolate Melting

Carefully melt chocolate using gentle microwave bursts, stirring between intervals to achieve a silky smooth texture. Let the chocolate cool slightly while preparing other ingredients.

• Cheesecake Filling

Blend cream cheese until luxuriously smooth, then incorporate sugar, cream, and cocoa powder. Gently fold in eggs one at a time, creating a velvety mixture that will transform into a dreamy dessert.

• Flavor Infusion

Swirl in peppermint extract and melted chocolate, creating a rich and festive flavor profile. Pour the luscious batter into the prepared crust, tapping to release any hidden air bubbles.

• Water Bath Baking

Place the cheesecake in a larger pan filled with boiling water, creating a steamy environment that ensures a perfectly creamy texture. Bake until the top looks slightly dry but the center remains delightfully wobbly.

• Cooling Process

Allow the cheesecake to cool slowly in the oven with the door cracked, preventing unsightly cracks. Transfer to a cooling rack, then refrigerate to develop its full, rich flavor.

• Chocolate Ganache Topping

Create a glossy chocolate topping by pouring hot cream over chocolate chips, stirring until smooth and luxurious. Drizzle over the chilled cheesecake and sprinkle with crushed candy canes for a festive finish.

Ideas to Tweak Your Peppermint Cheesecake

• Replace Oreo cookies with graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers for a different crust texture and flavor profile.
• Control the mint strength by adding peppermint extract gradually, tasting as you go to achieve your preferred level of coolness.
• Sprinkle crushed candy canes immediately after pouring ganache or create chocolate curls for an elegant professional finish.
• Wrap the fully cooled cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, preserving its rich chocolate and peppermint flavors perfectly.

Serving Tips for Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

• Festive Holiday Delight: Serve this cheesecake during winter celebrations, making it a stunning centerpiece for Christmas or New Year's gatherings.
• Peppermint Chocolate Pairing: Complement the rich dessert with a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the minty chocolate flavors.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Dust the top with additional crushed candy canes right before serving for a sparkling, professional touch that adds both visual appeal and extra peppermint crunch.
• Individual Portion Magic: Cut precise, clean slices using a knife dipped in hot water between each cut to create picture-perfect servings that showcase the beautiful layers and ganache topping.

Peppermint Cheesecake Storage Instructions

• Chilled Perfection Storage: Wrap the cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain its rich chocolate and peppermint flavors. Keeping it sealed prevents moisture absorption and protects the delicate ganache topping.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Slice the cheesecake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months, perfect for surprise dessert cravings.
• Refrigerator Placement Strategy: Store the cheesecake on the middle shelf of your refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods. This prevents flavor transfer and keeps the dessert's delicate peppermint notes pure and intact.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire cheesecake up to 3 days before serving. The flavors will actually deepen and become more complex, creating an even more indulgent dessert experience for your guests.

Velvety Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Rich chocolate peppermint cheesecake draws inspiration from classic holiday desserts and blends creamy indulgence with festive mint notes. Chocolate lovers will discover a perfect balance of cool peppermint and deep cocoa flavors in this irresistible seasonal treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 24 (278 grams) oreo cookies
• 24 oz (680 grams) full-fat cream cheese
• 8 oz (227 grams) semisweet chocolate
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 4 tbsps (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup (21 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 cup (170 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
• Crushed candy canes

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Create a fine crumb mixture from Oreo cookies and melted butter, pressing firmly into a foil-wrapped springform pan. Bake at 325°F for 10 minutes, then cool while maintaining oven temperature.
2. Chocolate Melting: Carefully melt chocolate in microwave-safe bowl, stirring between 30-second intervals until achieving a silky consistency.
3. Cheesecake Base: Whip cream cheese until smooth, gradually blending in sugar, heavy cream, and cocoa powder. Incorporate eggs individually on low speed to prevent overmixing.
4. Flavor Infusion: Gently fold in peppermint extract and melted chocolate, creating a velvety filling. Pour batter into prepared crust, tapping to release air bubbles.
5. Baking Technique: Establish a water bath by placing springform pan in a larger roasting pan, adding boiling water halfway up the sides. Bake for 1 to 1¼ hours, looking for a slightly dry surface with a gentle center wobble.
6. Cooling Process: Turn off oven, leaving door slightly ajar for 45 minutes. Transfer to wire rack, then refrigerate for minimum 4 hours.
7. Ganache Topping: Heat cream to a gentle simmer, pour over chocolate chips. Let rest for 3 minutes, then stir until achieving a glossy finish.
8. Final Presentation: Drizzle ganache evenly across chilled cheesecake, sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Refrigerate and enjoy within 5 days for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Waterproof Pan Protection: Wrap springform pan meticulously with multiple aluminum foil layers to prevent water seepage during water bath baking.
• Prevent Overmixing Technique: Mix eggs gently on low speed to avoid incorporating excess air, which can cause cheesecake cracking or uneven texture.
• Chocolate Melting Mastery: Use 30-second microwave intervals and stir between each session to achieve smooth, perfectly melted chocolate without burning.
• Cooling Precision: Allow cheesecake to cool gradually in oven with door slightly open to minimize surface cracking and ensure even temperature reduction.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 462
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 317 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 114 mg