Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cheesecake

Merry Christmas! I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted on my blog!  Shame on me.  So what has happened since I last blogged you ask?  Well, my daughter got married, I hosted 20 people for Thanksgiving, sold my 1967 Mustang, and am now getting ready for Christmas and preparing to once again host a crowd.  Wow, it makes me tired all over again just writing about it!

Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookie
Cheesecake
Goodies Gone Gluten Free

I have done quite a bit of baking this holiday season, but this mini Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cheesecake was a highlight for me.  I found the cutest little mini springform pans and knew I had to create a cheesecake that was perfect for the holidays to give as gifts to my friends and neighbors.

 Last year I posted some easy yet beautiful Gluten Free Peppermint Chocolate Dipped "Oreos", which I stepped up a notch this season by using a gluten free peppermint sandwich cookie (I used Trader Joes Gluten Free Peppermint JoJos) which I dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes to top this amazing and festive Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cheesecake.  You can use this recipe to make one 9-inch cheesecake also.  The peppermint sandwich cookies are chopped and mixed in the batter along with some chocolate chips, and then topped with  a chocolate ganache, whipped cream and the chocolate dipped cookie,  It's as pretty to look at as is to eat (yes, I did mean to say it is pretty to eat.  I don't know how better to describe it).

Merry Christmas, happy New Year and blessings to you all this season!

GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIE CHEESECAKE
Recipe from:  Goodies Gone Gluten Free
click here for Printable Recipe

3  8-oz packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
5 chopped gluten free peppermint creme-filled chocolate cookies

Crust:

1 1/2 cups gluten free peppermint creme-filled chocolate cookies crushed into crumbs
4 tablespoons melted butter

Topping:

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

Combine crust ingredients and press into bottom of 4 mini springform pans or one 9-inch springform pan (you can also line muffin pans with liners and press a tablespoon into the bottom of each liner).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes for 9-inch, and 8 minutes for mini pans or muffin tins.

Combine cream cheese, sugar and extract, mixing at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended,  Add eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped cookies.  Pour over crust.  Bake at 350 degrees 45 minutes for 9-inch springform, and approximately 25 minutes for mini springform pans, or until sides are set and middle is slightly jiggly.  Cool before removing rim of pan.

For topping, melt chocolate chips in saucepan or microwave on 50% power for 30 second increments stirring until chocolate is smooth.  Stir in cream and extract if using and spread over top of cheesecake.  Refrigerate and if desired, top with whipped cream and chocolate dipped cookie  when cheesecake and topping is set.