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Home » baking » Peppermint Cheesecake Bars

Peppermint Cheesecake Bars

Published: Dec 18, 2015 · Modified: Dec 1, 2022 by Louisa Clements · This post may contain affiliate links

This post may contain affiliate links

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48 minutes 11 Comments

The perfect holiday dessert, peppermint cheesecake bars are made with an Oreo cooking crust, crushed candy canes and white chocolate.Peppermint cheesecake bars are the ultimate make-ahead potluck dessert. With an oreo base, white chocolate and crushed candy canes. | livinglou.com

When I think of the holidays, I think of spectacular desserts and this recipe for peppermint cheesecake bars is just that. My love for cheesecake is relatively new, up until this year, I always found it to be a little too rich and indulgent, but not anymore. I think it’s quickly becoming one of my favourite desserts; I think I’ve made this caramel apple cheesecake four or five times since I posted the recipe. I love the way you can change up a cheesecake recipe depending on the season and this festive version is the ultimate dessert for entertaining.

I know, you’re thinking “Cheesecake? Isn’t that a really complicated dessert? How is it the perfect dessert for entertaining?” well here’s the thing, when it comes to entertaining, whether it be throwing a party at your own house, or bringing something to a potluck, the more dishes you can prep in advance, the better. That’s why I love making my seafood salad as an appetizer, it’s so much better the day after. Do you see where I’m going with this? Cheesecake is a simple three step process. First, it needs to bake, then it cools to room temperature and then it gets refrigerated for at least a couple of hours, once it’s cooled then it can be sliced and served. When I’m making cheesecake or cheesecake squares, I refrigerate it overnight and finish it off just before I’m about to serve it. It’s so simple and you have one less thing to worry about knowing that the dessert is ready to go.

Peppermint cheesecake bars are the ultimate make-ahead potluck dessert. With an oreo base, white chocolate and crushed candy canes. | livinglou.com

This month’s #WhatsCooking assignment is all about spectacular christmas desserts and baking recipes, there were so many recipes to choose from but the minute I saw the recipe for white-chocolate raspberry bars I knew that I wanted to make them. I decided to give them a little spin by adding a touch of peppermint flavouring to the cheesecake because I find peppermint to be one of the ultimate holiday flavours. With a delicious Oreo base, a touch of  peppermint extract in the actual creamy cheesecake portion of the cheesecake bars, a drizzle of white chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies or candy canes, the peppermint flavour is subtle and not overpowering.

Typically, a cheesecake is cooked in a springform pan in a water bath to ensure an easy release of the cake and that the middle is evenly cooked without the edges burning. I know it sounds a little complicated, but trust me, after you make it once it’s not intimidating at all. The thing about these peppermint cheesecake bars is that they bake up perfectly in an 8×8 or 9×9″ pan without having to fuss with a water bath. Plus they are the perfect bite-size dessert.

Peppermint cheesecake bars are the ultimate make-ahead potluck dessert. With an oreo base, white chocolate and crushed candy canes. | livinglou.com

Peppermint cheesecake bars are the ultimate make-ahead potluck dessert. With an oreo base, white chocolate and crushed candy canes. | livinglou.com

Peppermint Cheesecake Bars

Author: Louisa Clements
3 from 2 votes
The perfect holiday dessert, peppermint cheesecake bars are made with an Oreo cooking crust, crushed candy canes and white chocolate.
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Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 28 minutes
Total: 48 minutes
servings icon
Servings: 24

Ingredients

  • 15 Oreo Cookies, finely crushed
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 3 oz. Baker's White Chocolate, divided
  • 2 pkg., 250 g each Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ¼ tsp peppermint extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp crushed peppermint candies

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Mix cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch square baking pan. Melt 2 oz. chocolate as directed on package.
  • Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and peppermint extract with mixer until blended. Add melted chocolate; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
  • Bake 25 to 28 min. or until centre is almost set. Cool to room temperature, melt remaining chocolate; drizzle over cheesecake, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies. min.; spread with jam. Melt remaining chocolate square; drizzle over cheesecake. Cool cheesecake completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Cut into 24 bars.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + rating and let me know what you think!
Filed Under: baking, dessert, easy, Holidays
Nutrition Facts
Peppermint Cheesecake Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 126 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 0.05g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 28mg9%
Sodium 78mg3%
Potassium 47mg1%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 192IU4%
Vitamin C 0.02mg0%
Calcium 21mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any specific dietary concerns, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Kraft Canada – as always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting my sponsors and allowing me to continue creating content like these peppermint cheesecake bars!

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Comments

  1. Shirley Clements

    December 08, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    Sooo festive & delicious to look at!!
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
  2. Daniella

    December 30, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    What would you drizzle and sprinkle on top for Valentines Day? Perhaps you can give us a variation for other occasions - this is delicious.
    Reply
    • Lou

      January 09, 2016 at 2:53 pm

      Hi Daniella, you could definitely make these for Valentines Day and just not sprinkle crushed candy canes on top, but I also think that the peppermint flavour in the cheesecake might seem a little out of place. :)
      Reply
  3. Diane

    December 21, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    These are so cute and festive. Cheesecake is one of my favorite holiday desserts. I would love to see a tray on these on my Christmas table!
    Reply
    • Lou

      December 22, 2015 at 7:29 am

      Thanks, Diane!
      Reply
  4. Chris @ SimpleFood365

    December 20, 2015 at 10:04 am

    As a fan of cheesecake, I can tell you that I would love to try this dessert! Personally, I would take cheesecake over almost any other dessert and this fits right in with the holidays so well. Delicious looking dessert!
    Reply
    • Lou

      December 22, 2015 at 7:28 am

      Thanks, Chris! I agree cheesecake is the perfect holiday dessert :)
      Reply
  5. Priya

    December 18, 2015 at 11:43 am

    Another gem from Living Lou. Very festive with the crushed peppermint candies. Thanks I will be making these.
    Reply
    • Lou

      December 22, 2015 at 7:28 am

      Thanks Priya, these are great for the holidays. Let me know how it goes.
      Reply
  6. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago

    December 18, 2015 at 8:31 am

    Peppermint and cheesecake - what's not to love?!! These are perfect for the holidays!
    Reply
    • Lou

      December 22, 2015 at 7:27 am

      Thank you Kathryn!
      Reply

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Hi, I'm Louisa Clements & welcome to Living Lou. I've been creating simple, fresh & flavorful recipes for the modern kitchen for 12 years.
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