Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

Chocolate peppermint cheesecake is holiday perfection! Inspired by the rich chocolate layers of Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark (my most favorite holiday treat!), this decadent layered cheesecake is a must bake for the chocolate lovers in your family.

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Featuring a chocolate wafer crust, creamy chocolate filling, and rich chocolate-peppermint ganache topping, Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark squares add a festive finishing touch that make the holidays a bite better.

How to Make Ghirardelli Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

Springform Pan – Use a 9-inch springform pan. Brush the bottom and sides of the pan evenly with softened butter. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper.

Chocolate Wafer Crust – To make the crust, combine chocolate wafer cookies, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse to fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until incorporated. Press crust firmly across bottom and 1/2-inch up sides of prepared springform pan. Pack the crust tightly with the bottom of a measuring cup.

Par-Bake Crust – Bake crust at 350°F for 11 to 12 minutes, until light golden and set. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.

Melt Chocolate – Place Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips in a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Gradually melt the chocolate, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly (8 to 10 minutes).

Chocolate Filling – Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, arrowroot starch, and salt on low speed. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add sour cream and vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in each egg on low speed just until combined. Scrape down the bowl after each egg. Mix in melted chocolate on low speed just until combined. Scrape down the bowl and gently fold any remaining chocolate into the batter with a spatula. Pour filling over the crust and smooth top with an offset spatula.

Bake – Bake cheesecake at 300°F for 60 to 65 minutes, until edges are set, the center is still slightly wobbly, and the cheesecake is slightly puffed.

Cool Cheesecake – When the cheesecake is finished baking, immediately turn off the oven, prop the oven door with a wooden spoon, and cool the cheesecake inside the oven for 75 minutes. After 75 minutes, remove springform pan from the oven and place on a wire rack. Carefully run a thin metal spatula around the edge of the cheesecake to make sure it’s not sticking to the sides of the springform pan. Cool cheesecake for 1 hour on the rack.

Chill Cheesecake – Move cheesecake to the refrigerator (uncovered to prevent condensation from forming) and chill overnight.

Make Ganache – Place Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips in a medium heat-proof bowl. Bring heavy cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, heating until bubbles form at the edge of the pan. Pour warm heavy cream over the chocolate. Cover and let stand for 3 minutes, then stir with a spatula until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract.

Assemble Cheesecake – Top the cheesecake with ganache, smoothing with an offset spatula. Chill for 10 minutes in the refrigerator to set, then pipe whipped cream decoratively around the edge. Top with Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares and enjoy!

Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

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• Author: Laura Kasavan
• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 9-inch cheesecake
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Chocolate peppermint cheesecake featuring a chocolate wafer crust, creamy chocolate filling, and rich chocolate-peppermint ganache topping.

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Ingredients

Crust

• 9 oz chocolate wafer cookies
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Filling

• 8 oz Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 24 oz full fat cream cheese, cubed, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp arrowroot starch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature

Ganache

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 6 oz Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract

Whipped Cream

• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Ground Cocoa, sifted
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp pure peppermint extract

Topping

• Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan evenly with softened butter. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper.
2. Make the crust: Combine chocolate wafer cookies, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until completely incorporated.
3. Press the crust firmly and evenly across the bottom and 1/2-inch up the sides of prepared springform pan. Pack the crust tightly with the bottom of a measuring cup.
4. Bake crust for 11 to 12 minutes, until fragrant and set. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.
5. Melt chocolate: Place Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips in a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Gradually melt the chocolate, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly (8 to 10 minutes).
6. Make the filling: Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, arrowroot starch, and salt on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add sour cream and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in each egg on low speed just until combined, about 10 seconds. Scrape down the bowl after each egg. Mix in melted chocolate on low speed just until combined, about 10 seconds. Scrape down the bowl and gently fold any remaining chocolate into the batter with a spatula. Pour filling over the crust and gently smooth top with an offset spatula.
7. Bake cheesecake at 300°F for 60 to 65 minutes, until edges are set, the center is still slightly wobbly, and the cheesecake is slightly puffed.
8. Cool cheesecake: When the cheesecake is finished baking, immediately turn off the oven, prop the oven door with a wooden spoon, and cool the cheesecake inside the oven for 75 minutes.
9. After 75 minutes, remove springform pan from the oven and place on a wire rack. Carefully run a thin metal spatula around the edge of the cheesecake to make sure it’s not sticking to the sides of the springform pan. Cool cheesecake for 1 hour on the rack.
10. Chill cheesecake: Move cheesecake to the refrigerator (uncovered to prevent condensation from forming) and chill overnight.
11. Remove cheesecake from pan: Release the outer edge of springform pan. Use a thin metal spatula to lift cheesecake from the base of pan and transfer to a serving plate.
12. Make ganache: Place Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips in a medium heat-proof bowl. Bring heavy cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, heating until bubbles form at the edge of the pan. Pour warm heavy cream over the chocolate. Cover and let stand for 3 minutes, then stir with a spatula until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract.
13. Top the cheesecake with ganache, smoothing with an offset spatula. Chill for 10 minutes.
14. Make whipped cream: Pour heavy cream into a chilled mixer bowl fitted with wire whip attachment. Beat cream on medium-high speed until cream begins to thicken; gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa. Add vanilla and peppermint extracts and beat until stiff peaks form.
15. Transfer whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe around the edge. Top with Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares.
16. For neat slices, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe dry before slicing cheesecake. Store leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

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Notes

Make ahead: The cheesecake can be baked ahead, fully cooled, and chilled for up to 2 days before serving.

This recipe is created in partnership with Ghirardelli. All opinions expressed are my own.