Chocolate and peppermint desserts are iconic over the holidays. The combination turns up in cookies, puddings, pies, cakes, and cheesecakes. The following Chocolate Brownie Peppermint Cheesecake is one of the most festive and loved desserts at my house this season, and I served it at Christmas dinner. It is both attractive and delicious. It can also be made ahead.

Mom’s Brownie Mix is always on my cupboard shelf, and it make for an easy crust for this cheesecake. You can substitute a store-bought brownie mix if you like, but the brownie mix is so easy and convenient, there is no reason to have to buy the commercial mix. This cheesecake has plenty of chocolate brownie crust, as well as plenty of crushed peppermint candies throughout. It is topped with a rich chocolate ganache and decorated with chocolate curls and crushed peppermint candies.

Crust:
2 1/2 cups Mom's Brownie Mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Filling:
3 8 oz. packages cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1 cup crushed candy canes

Topping:
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

2 cups sweetened whipped cream
Chocolate curls
Crushed peppermint candies

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 10" springform pan with non-stick spray, cover with parchment, and spray the parchment.
2. Crust: Mix brownie mix, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla well. Spread on the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake at for 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. Filling: In food processor, blend the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, and sour cream until smooth. Stir in the crushed candy canes. Bake for 60 -75 minutes or until set. Chill well.
4. Topping: Measure the topping ingredients into a microwave safe container. Microwave 2 minutes; let sit 5 minutes. Stir until thick and smooth. Pour over the chilled cheesecake; chill until the topping is set.
5. Garnish: Fill a decorating bag with a star tip with sweetened whipped cream. Pipe puffs of whipped cream evenly around the edge of the cheesecake. Sprinkle with the chocolate curls and crushed peppermint candies. Place a few tiny candy canes in the whipped cream puffs. Cover and chill before serving.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 355 Calories from Fat 216
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 61% Protein 6% Carb. 33%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 24 g
Saturated Fat 12 g
Cholesterol 107 mg
Sodium 212 mg
Total Carbohydrate 29 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g 1
Sugars 8 g
Protein 6 g

Vitamin A 15% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 4%