Swirls of Oreo cookies and peppermint bits belong together during the holidays. Make this Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake for every party or event you attend this month and watch everyone smile.
Cheesecake definitely has a reputation for being difficult to make, but I honestly hope that I can convince you that's not true. Once you know the basics, making a full sized cheesecake is a piece of cake. Literally. LOL!
It all comes down to using the right ingredients, the right temperature, and the right pans. Once you get that down pat, it is easy to start changing out ingredients and adding different mix-ins in the batter. I shared my tips and tricks in the post for the Best Vanilla Bean Cheesecake.
This holiday cheesecake was actually inspired by a carton of peppermint ice cream from our local grocery store.
Last month, while shopping for groceries, I noticed that the store had just restocked its freezer with new holiday-themed ice cream flavors. Naturally, I had to take a look. I enjoy trying unique and delicious flavors of store-brand ice cream.
This particular ice cream had swirls of Oreo cookies, peppermint bits, and marshmallow ice cream. I had to take it home with me immediately.
After taking one bite, I fell in love with it. It's my new favorite ice cream and I'll be sad when it's gone.
As I was enjoying a big bowl of ice cream, I started thinking how good this flavor combo would be in cheesecake. I already knew I would love the flavor because this no-bake Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake has been one of our favorites for years.
Of course, that was all the motivation I needed to run to the kitchen and start baking a fun holiday cheesecake to share with my ladies' Bible study.
A few years ago, I wrote a cookbook all about cheesecake called Cheesecake Love. Most of the recipes in the book are simple and basic recipes that you can change and adapt with any flavor.
There is a recipe for a marshmallow s'mores cheesecake in the book, so I used the base recipe and then added a swirl of Oreos and some peppermint crunch bits.
How to make a Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake
- Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and place a sheet pan with water on the very bottom rack of your oven.
- Crush the cookies and mix them with butter. Press it evenly in the bottom of the pan and set it aside.
- Beat softened cream cheese with sugar until creamy. Add sour cream, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and a jar of marshmallow cream and beat again.
- Add the eggs one at a time and gently beat until completely mixed in. Do not overbeat the cheesecake batter because that can add air bubbles to the mixture that could cause your cheesecake to crack as it bakes.
- Remove 1 cup of batter and stir some crushed Oreo cookies and cookie chunks into it. Add peppermint bits to the remaining batter.
- Pour half the peppermint cheesecake into the prepared pan. Drop half of the Oreo cheesecake mixture by spoonfuls onto it. Swirl gently with a knife.
- Repeat the layers again and swirl gently. Make sure you do not over-swirl, or the batter will become muddy-looking.
- Place the cheesecake pan on the oven rack directly above the steaming water and bake.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan. (Cheesecake shrinks as it cools, so if it is attached to the pan, it can crack the cheesecake's center.) Cool on the counter for an hour, then refrigerate until completely chilled.
Once the peppermint cheesecake is completely cooled, decorate the top with chocolate ganache, Cool Whip, mini Oreo cookies, and peppermint crunch bits. If you really want more peppermint goodness, use this Peppermint Whipped Cream.
More easy holiday cheesecake recipes
- Eggnog Cheesecake Pie
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
- Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Brownie Pie
- White Chocolate Peppermint Mousse Cheesecakes
- Mint Cheesecake Brownies
Recipe
Peppermint Oreo Swirl Cheesecake
Swirls of peppermint bits and Oreo cookies in a marshmallow cheesecake make this Peppermint Oreo Swirl Cheesecake the perfect dessert for every holiday party.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 20 Oreo cookies, cream included
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake
- 3 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 - 7 ounce jar marshmallow cream
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 15 Oreo cookies, divided
- ¾ cup Andes peppermint crunch bits
For the Topping
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 3 Tablespoons Andes peppermint crunch bits, divided
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- 7-8 mini Oreo cookies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a large sheet pan on the very bottom oven rack and fill halfway with water. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Crush the Oreo cookies using a food processor and stir the melted butter into the crumbs. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the sour cream, vanilla, peppermint, marshmallow cream, and flour and beat again.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just mixed in. Do not over beat the batter.
- Remove 1 cup of cheesecake batter and stir 10 crushed Oreos into it. Add 5 chopped cookies and stir in.
- Stir the peppermint bits into the remaining batter. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Drop half the Oreo batter by spoonfuls on the top of the peppermint batter. Use a knife to swirl the cheesecake gently.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining cheesecake batter. Swirl gently. Place the pan on the oven rack directly above the steaming pan of water and bake for 55-60 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack. Let cool for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan. Let cool on the counter for 1 hour, then refrigerate for 4-6 hours or until completely chilled.
- Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir until melted and creamy. Heat an additional 15 seconds, if needed.
- Remove the cheesecake from the pan and place on a serving plate. Pour the melted chocolate in the center of the cheesecake and spread out with an angled spatula. Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons peppermint bits in the center of the chocolate and let set.
- Right before serving use a piping bag and icing tip 1M to swirl Cool Whip around the edges of the cheesecake. Top the swirls with mini Oreos and 1 Tablespoon peppermint bits.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 693Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 341mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 2gSugar: 52gProtein: 8g
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Sophia
Can I use regular peppermint crunch from like Michael’s? I can’t find any andies ones that I need a timely manner.
Jocelyn
Are you talking about the crushed bits that are like candy canes? I'm not quite sure how they would bake up in the batter. I used the Andes bits which are more of a chocolate chip. Another option is to use the Hershey's candy cane kisses and just chop those up into small chunks. That would give the cheesecake more of the same texture as what mine is.
Pamm Placzek
ummm is it just me, or is there not a length of time on baking?? 50min? hour? not sure….
Jocelyn
You must be reading the blog post and not the actual recipe card. Keep scrolling until you reach the printable recipe card that has the ingredients and instructions. In step 7 it says to bake it 55-60 minutes. I hope that helps and you enjoy the cheesecake.
Rehoboth
Excellent post
Thanks