Peppermint Cheesecake

My father-in-law recently had shoulder surgery and I thought what better way to make him feel better than make him his own cheesecake? And it worked! Also peppermint is perfect for the season. I don't normally like cheesecake but this is a great one. And for some odd reason, if I make the cheesecake I can eat it. I know. It's weird but that's just how it is with me. Anyways, I dropped the cheesecake off at my in-laws last night and they loved it. Not only did it taste great but it is the best looking cheesecake I have ever made in my life. It turned out perfect and flat and smooth. It was seriously amazing. So here is the recipe. It's from the Lion House Desserts cookbook. You just can't go wrong with Lion House.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. Oreo cookie crumbs, rolled fine
• 3 8-oz. packages cream cheese, softened (it is very important that it is softened)
• 1 c. sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. peppermint extract
• 2 drops red food coloring (I didn't do this because I just wanted it white)
• 1 pint sour cream
• 3 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• Peppermint candy canes, crushed

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Crush whole Oreo cookies, including frosting centers, to make 2 cups of fine crumbs.
3. Press crumbs evenly into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.
4. Whip cream cheese (WHIP, this is very important) in a mixer bowl; gradually add sugar; then add eggs one at a time.
5. Stir in vanilla, peppermint extract, and red food coloring (again this is optional). 
6. Pour filling into crust; bake 60 minutes.
7. Whip sour cream (again, very important to whip it); add sugar and vanilla.
8. Spread on top of cheesecake and return to oven.
9. Bake for 10 more minutes.
10. Cool before removing sides from springform pan.
11. Garnish with crushed candy canes and refrigerate until ready to serve (I usually refrigerate my cheesecake over night so that it sets up and it just tastes better after sitting overnight).

*Makes 10-12 servings.


Cheesecakes are really easy to make; easier than an regular cake in my opinion. Plus you don't have to frost it. Try it out!