This rich, creamy cheesecake with crème de menthe and mint candies will impress everyone. You can even make it a day ahead!
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients:
2 cups finely crushed chocolate graham crackers
1/2 cup butter, melted
Filling Ingredients:
1 cup sugar 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
1/3 cup green or white creme de menthe liqueur*
1 (4.67-ounce) package creme de menthe chocolate mint candy thins, chopped (reserve 6 for garnish)
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
Whipped Heavy Cream, if desired
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F. Stir together all crust ingredients in large bowl until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of lightly greased 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
Combine sugar and cream cheese in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Continue beating, adding eggs one at a time, until well mixed. (DO NOT OVER BEAT.) Stir in liqueur by hand. Stir together 1/2 cup chopped mints and 1 teaspoon flour in small bowl; gently stir into cream cheese mixture.
Pour filling onto crust. Sprinkle with remaining chopped mints. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until firm to touch. (Cheesecake surface may be slightly cracked.) Loosen side of cheesecake by running knife around inside of pan. Cool 1 hour. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours.
Garnish top of cheesecake with whipped cream and top with reserved mints, if desired. Store refrigerated.
*Substitute 1 teaspoon peppermint extract plus 6 drops green food color.
main ingredients:
type of recipe:
cake
type of dish:
dessert
cuisine:
Ireland
specific recipes:
entertaining
season and occasion: St_Patrick
