Peppermint cheesecake swirled with peppermint bark pieces, topped off with a layer of white chocolate mousse, bits of chocolate and crushed peppermint candies.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

You might think I love cheesecake. I don’t. I love making it though and my family loves eating it. Really, I’ll make just about anything even if I don’t personally like eating it. I know *ugh* I don’t like cheesecake. I’m sorry! I save that portion of my belly for things like apple crisp and apple pie.

I’ve had this cheesecake on my mind since Thanksgiving when my brother mentioned it. I couldn’t get it out of my head! I’ve stared at the image of The Cheesecake Factory’s peppermint bark cheesecake a ton while contemplating how to make this. I had my fingers crossed tight that this experiment would work out.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

And since I’m sharing it… that means it worked! A total success. A white chocolate peppermint cheesecake sits on top of a chocolate cookie crust. It’s swirled with peppermint bark pieces, topped off with a layer of white chocolate mousse, chocolate shavings and crushed peppermint candies.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

I’ll give you a minute.

Go ahead and wipe the drool away.

This takes more time to make than the average cheesecake but it’s absolutely worth it for something extra special.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

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White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 day
Yield: 14
Creamy homemade peppermint cheesecake studded with peppermint bark pieces, topped off with a layer of white chocolate mousse, chocolate shavings and crushed peppermint candies. A must make holiday dessert!

Ingredients
 

Crust Ingredients:

  • 2 C chocolate cookie crumbs, or 22 regular oreos with filling
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Filling Ingredients:

  • 24 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 C granulated sugar
  • 4 oz white chocolate, melted
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp peppermint extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 batch peppermint bark, made thin (peppermint bark recipe) or roughly 1 1/2C chunks

Mousse Ingredients:

  • 1/2 C cool whip, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 oz white chocolate, melted
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Plus chocolate shavings, peppermint pieces and whipped cream for topping

Instructions
 

Peppermint bark

  • Prepare peppermint bark at least 1 day ahead. Melt 4oz dark chocolate with 1/2 tsp vegetable oil. Mix in 1/8 tsp peppermint extract. Spread thin over a sheet of wax paper on a baking sheet. Chill for 15 minutes.
  • Melt 4oz white chocolate with 1/2 tsp vegetable oil. Mix in 1/8 tsp peppermint extract. Spread over chilled dark chocolate. Sprinkle immediately with crushed peppermint candies. Chill for at least 15 minutes. (*when melting chocolate, if using a microwave be sure to use the 30 second 50% power method stirring well after each 30 seconds).

Cheesecake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F degrees. Prepare a 9" spring-form pan by wrapping the outside with two sheets of heavy duty tin foil around the bottom and up the sides. In a food processor, blend cookies until only fine crumbs remain. Add melted butter. Give a quick blend. Transfer crumb mixture to spring-form pan. Shake to disperse crumbs. Using a flat bottom cup, press down to create an even crust. Bake crust for 10 minutes. Set aside.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 325°F degrees.
  • Chop peppermint bark into small pieces. Set aside.
  • Begin melting 4oz white chocolate. Using a double boiler or heat safe bowl, melt over simmering water. Stir until fully melted. Using the microwave, in a heat safe bowl microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power until fully melted. Stir well after each interval.
  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar. Mix well. Scrape bowl well prior to each new addition and as needed. Add melted chocolate, flour, heavy cream, salt and peppermint extract. Mix well. On medium/low speed, add one egg at a time. Mix until smooth and blended well.
  • Add peppermint bark pieces, stir by hand.
  • Transfer spring-form pan and cooked crust to a larger pan, such as a large roasting pan. Pour filling into crust. Add enough hot water to reach half way up the sides of your spring-form pan. Carefully place in center of oven. Bake at 325°F degrees for 1 hour. Turn off the oven. Keeping the door shut, leave the cheesecake in the oven for an additional 45 minutes. Remove cheesecake and allow to sit for at least 1 hour before chilling.
  • Chill 4 hours or overnight before adding the mousse.
  • In a medium bowl beat softened cream cheese, melted white chocolate, cool whip, sugar and vanilla until smooth and slightly thickened.
  • Carefully remove side of spring-form pan. Spread mousse mixture evenly over cheesecake. Chill for 4 hours or overnight before serving.
  • Serve slices with chocolate shavings, crushed peppermint candies and whipped cream.
  • Store covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

Recipe yields 1: 9-inch cheesecake, serving roughly 12-16.
An original recipe from Baked by Rachel
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most accurate data, use your preferred nutrition calculator with the actual ingredients you used to make this recipe.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Snap a picture and tag @bakedbyrachel on Instagram!

Items used in this recipe:

***Giveaway is closed***

One reader will win one Calphalon non-stick springform pan.

The nitty gritty: You must have a US shipping address to enter. Giveaway will run from Dec 14, 2011 – Dec 17, 2011. One winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via e-mail Dec 18, 2011. Winner has 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Main entry must be done or bonus entries will not count. Duplicate entries will be deleted.

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Homemade white chocolate peppermint bark cheesecake recipe from @bakedbyrachel A must make holiday dessert!
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com