White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake
Peppermint cheesecake swirled with peppermint bark pieces, topped off with a layer of white chocolate mousse, bits of chocolate and crushed peppermint candies.
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.
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.
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
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
***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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Fav Christmas movie is Rudolph! A nice classic! Great movie because all age groups enjoy it! Fav scenes are with Santa of course. We can watch it over and over!
My husband has been after me to make a cheese cake,
this looks amazing! one problem, i don’t own a springform pan. My 2 favorites are rudolf and The Little Drummer Boy. Many happy memories of the whole family watching these together. I love Burl Ives voice. both my parents passed away this year so it’s a beautiful memory I have of them/us at this time of year.
My favorite movie is Chevy Chase in National Lapoon’s Christmas.
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My fav movie is A christmas story. It reminds me of my childhood
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This cheesecake looks absolutely amazing! I love both cheesecake and apple pie/cobbler so I guess I’m in big trouble :) Hey whats your secret to preventing the cave in / deflating in the center?
Oh I forgot – my favorite holiday movie is Christmas Vacation with A Christmas Story as a close second. You can’t beat the comedy of Chevy Chase – favorite scene (so many) is near end when he’s had enough and just goes through his cursing rant. Sooo funny :)
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OMG, I want that cheesecake. I had also seen that photo floating around on pinterest and wanted to recreate it. Now I don’t have to! Yay!!
As for holiday movies, either “It’s a Wonderful Life” and favorite part is the ending or “A Christmas Story” and favorite part is when Ralphie’s mother makes him stick the bar of soap in his mouth for cussing” hehe
I felt like those pins were taunting me! :) Let me know if you end up trying it.
White Christmas is definitely a holiday must! I love the Sisters theme song and my sister and i always sing it around the holidays!
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OMG, in love with that cheesecake! My favorite holiday movie is Love Actually:-) All of it
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Our family tradition is all the kids watch the Wee Sing’s Best Christmas Ever, we always sing along with every song (despite being 24…)
Its not technically a movie I guess, but I must watch a performance of the Nutcracker every year! I danced in it my whole life growing up and I still dance in my head when I hear any of the music. This recipe sounds fantastic, I must try it, all of my favorite things! Thank you :)
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This looks like an amazing cheesecake! I just made peppermint bark the other day too :) I have the pan and absolutely love it! I use it often, but not always for cheesecakes (although I wish I was…)
My favorite Christmas “movie” is actually the holiday episode of Bones from season one. There’s just something about it that fills me with the spirit of Christmas. It’s the perfect mix of cute and sad and family and love.
My favorite holiday movie is ELF!I love the humor it gives to myself,when things might not be as good as they could be!
White Christmas – and my favorite part is definitely where Bing Crosby finally kisses Rosemary Clooney behind the tree at the end! But the scene by the fireside is a very close second!
say whaaaaat??! heck yes. you’re on my team. so is this cheesecake.
Every year I watch Elf because of how happy it makes me. My favorite scene would have to be the one where Will Ferrell’s character surprises the father with a houseful of paper snowflakes and Christmas decorations… and when he eats gumdrops and sugar with his spaghetti. :-) Gets me every time! :-) Your cake looks absolutely incredible, by the way.
My fave holiday movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! Love Clark’s ranting scene!
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Oh my word!!!! I don’t even like cheesecake that much and I want this in my belly immediately. What a fantastic creation!
Favorite holiday movie? Elf!
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The Santa Clause with Tim Allen is a holiday movie favorite! I like the scene where the son tries to order a chocolate milk at the restaurant, but the waitress tells him they only have white. “white milk is fine.. :(” lol makes me laugh, random.
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Wow, this looks good! So festive too!
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