Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
This Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake has a chocolate cheesecake layer topped with a minty green cheesecake layer on an Oreo crust. It’s the perfect decadent holiday treat!
We’re T-4 days from Christmas. Whaaaaat?!
For real though, that means we have 10 days left of this year. 10 DAYS. I’m having a minor fit of anxiety every time I realize how quickly this year has passed, and how much life will change in 2015, and just all the things that come with growing up, and another year. It’s mind-boggling.
But for now, while I quietly freak out to myself and try to refrain from complaining to all you about it on the Internet, let’s focus on the holidays. More importantly, let’s focus on cheesecake. A big, minty, chocolatey, multi-layered, deliciously decadent cheesecake.
It took me a while to work up the nerve to make cheesecake the first time, because it always seemed like so much could go wrong. It could crack, it could get all weird and eggy, I could totally over or under bake it. Also, the whole water bath thing just seemed like a lot of dangerous work. Clumsy me trying to mess with boiling water in an oven? Not a great idea.
Then I gave it go, making this s’mores cheesecake, and I realized cheesecake just seems scary, but really, with a few tricks (and none of that water bath stuff), it isn’t so hard! This recipe uses relatively few ingredients, and comes together in less than 20 minutes. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert, since you need to refrigerate it overnight before serving – but what’s nicer than not having to worry about finishing a dessert the day you’re serving it?!
Despite this cheesecake being easy, it’s still totally impressive with it’s two layers! But don’t worry – you’re only making one cheesecake batter. After the plain cheesecake batter comes together, you just split up the batter. Fold melted chocolate into one half and spread it in the prepared Oreo crust. Fold mint chips and extract into the other half and pour it on top of the chocolate batter. Voila – two beautiful, delicious cheesecake layers! After cooling, it all gets topped with hot fudge and more minty chips.
As for how it tastes? This cheesecake is rich, smooth, and creamy. It’s not overly chocolatey, or overly minty – it walks the line of being totally decadent, but the freshness of the peppermint gives the perfect balance. The fudge on top adds a delicious richness as well, so be sure to use a hot fudge you love!
Another perk of the hot fudge? It covers mistakes. My cheesecake got a big ole crack in the middle of it, because I totally forgot to run my knife around my cheesecake after it came out of the oven, so as the cheesecake cooled, some valleys formed in the middle. Uh oh…I freaked out, and then found this article which totally taught me how to fix the cracks in my cheesecake. It looked way better – you could barely tell the difference!
This mint chocolate chip cheesecake is sure to be a hit this holiday season, and will be the perfect ending to a decadent Christmas dinner! Happy holidays, and enjoy!
PrintMint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the crust
- 24 Oreos (crushed into crumbs (I used Peppermint Oreos))
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
For the cheesecake
- 16 oz. cream cheese (2 8 oz. blocks, room temperature)
- 1 can (14 oz. sweetened condensed milk)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 eggs (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (melted)
- 1/2 cup Andes creme de menthe baking chips
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Green food coloring
- 1 12 oz. jar hot fudge
- Andes creme de menthe baking chips (to garnish)
Instructions
For the crust
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- In a large bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar and melted butter. Press evenly in and up the sides of a lightly greased 10-inch springform pan. Set aside while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
For the cheesecake
- In bowl of stand mixer combine cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk, mixing on low speed until smooth. Add in eggs, one at a time, until combine. Add vanilla.
- Divide batter in half. To one half, add in the 1/3 cup melted chocolate chips, stir until completely combined. Pour the chocolate batter into the prepared crust. To the other half, color with green food coloring to reach a pale, minty green color (remember, a little bit goes a long way!). Fold in the mint chips and peppermint extract. Pour mint chip batter evenly over the chocolate batter.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until center is set. Take care not to over bake. Cool cheesecake for 30 minutes on wire rack. Slightly loosen cheesecake from pan by running a knife around the edges, this will also help prevent cracking. Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.
- Keep leftovers tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
I got so excited about this cheesecake when I read the title! Haha. This cheesecake looks so perfectly over the top! I am dying over the chocolate and mint swirls and holy cow the ganache on the top. Such a stunner! :) Pinned!
Thanks so much, Beth!! :) Happy holidays!
This cheesecake looks incredible, Rachel! Mint + Chocolate is one of my favorite combinations and in cheesecake form… yum! :)
My hubby loves cheesecake of any kind, and this one is making my mouth water so I think I’m going to be wife of the year over here and make it for him!
Thanks so much Phi, I hope you both love it!! :)
Wow, this cheesecake looks over the top amazing! Mint and chocolate is perfect for the holidays! I love all the layers in here!
OMG this cheesecake looks AMAZING! Love the mint choc-chip flavour, so good! Now I’m really craving a slice! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe, Rachel! Have a brilliant christmas!
Thank you so much, Jess!! Happy holidays!
Oh my goodness, girl! This cheesecake is incredible! Mint and chocolate chip, what more could you ask for. Pinning!
This is so my kind of dish! I love mint chocolate anything! And cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts! I know what you mean about cheesecakes being a bit scary. Anytime I use my springform pan I am so nervous! So much could go wrong!
I saw this cheesecake the other day on Instagram and have been thinking about it ever since :) Love the different layers and all. that. chocolate. And I never use a water bath (for the same reasons, sounds like a total disaster/emergency room trip waiting to happen). I just throw some more stuff on top to cover it up. Love this and pinning!
Rachel that dessert is to die for! It is so rich, decadent, and I wish I can just grab a slice right now! I’ll just have to make one then since you so generously shared your recipe! Thanks for that :)
Wow! Don’t let my husband see this! He will demand I make this for him! ;)
Mint chocolate is my kyrpotnite! I absolutely love it and this looks amazing!
I think I am officially losing my mind since we only have 10 days left of this year. Seriously where did the time go? Also this cheesecake is insane! Amazing!
I LOVE mint chocolate chip and I LOVE cheesecake. I need to make this!
Mint chocolate and cheesecake are my two favorite desserts. I’m wondering why I’ve never thought to combine them! This cheesecake looks amazing, Rachel!
Not only does this sound amazing but it look so rich and tasty. I’m pinning it to make for my girlfriend when she comes to visit. She, like me, loves loves mint.
This looks unbelievably delicious! Pinning! :)
Mint, chocolate chips and cheesecake – all in one?! YES please! I need to grab my stretchy pants since I’ll be eating it all by myself!! Pinned!!
This looks beyond amazing! Pinning for sure!
Oh my goodness! This looks and sounds heavenly…I’m considering going to the kitchen RIGHT NOW to check and see if I have the ingredients to make it tonight! :)
It’s always a bad idea me reading posts with such deliciousness on them early in the morning. This cheese cake looks great
I want this and I want it now. :)
Oh you are so right. Looks easy, the recipe isn’t overwhelming. So pretty!!!!
Mint and chocolate are one of the only combinations I really don’t like – I would totally swap the mint for something else and devour this whole thing though!
Katie <3
Thanks Katie! If you left over the peppermint chips and extract, you’d just have an awesome chocolate-y cheesecake :)
1/4 tsp of peppermint extract for that entire cake? No wonder my “splash” of peppermint extract I added to a smoothie this summer was rotten and gross! LOL
I do have to say, anything with peppermint/chocolate is my fav all time combo. Ugh, I would love to make this cheesecake. Actually, going to e-mail myself the recipe and MAYBE make it… one day lol.
Haha, I hope you do try it! And yes peppermint extract is incredibly potent – a little goes a long way.
holy cow, girl!!!! This sounds absolutely perfect :)
Oh my gosh this is all of my favorite things rolled in to one!! Yummy!
you must have been reading my mind!!! I need a cheesecake recipe for Thursday and you have saved the day! thank you – I cant wait to make this for the family!
Wow that cheescake looks delicious, my husband would go crazy for it.
OMG this cheesecake looks SO decadent and just flat-out amazing!! Pass a slice!! :)
Pinned, and Merry Christmas!! :)
such a delicious looking cheesecake Rachel! :)
What a cheesecake! This one’s a showstopper.
Wow this sounds incredible!! I’ll have to make this one for sure!
I think I just drooled all over my computer. This sounds so good! Thanks for sharing!
xo Caitlin
Oh gosh, this sounds amazing! I love mint chocolate, so will definitely be trying this!!
I agree it seems 2014 completely flew by! Thanks for this recipe since I love all things cheesecake. :)
That is such a gorgeous cheesecake and I love the cake stand as well!
Yum! Looks delicious! Great photos!
The combination of mint and chocolate look amazing!