Peppermint Cheesecake Swirl Bars (Printable)
Creamy cheesecake and chocolate brownie swirled with peppermint for a festive dessert bar.
# What You'll Need:
→ Brownie Base
01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Cheesecake Swirl
08 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
12 - 2 drops red food coloring (optional)
13 - 2 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies, plus extra for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Set the oven to 350°F and line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk to combine.
03 - Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt, mixing gently just until incorporated. Spread three-fourths of the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
04 - Beat cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Add egg and peppermint extract, mixing until creamy. If desired, stir in food coloring. Fold in crushed peppermint candies.
05 - Drop spoonfuls of cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer, then dollop remaining brownie batter on top. Swirl gently with a knife or skewer for a marbled effect.
06 - Bake for 33 to 36 minutes until the center is set but slightly moist. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs.
07 - Allow to cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Remove using parchment overhang and cut into 16 bars. Garnish with extra crushed peppermint candies before serving.
# Cooking Tips:
01 -
- It feels like sharing a secret with a friend who suddenly has the best festive dessert up their sleeve
- The way the peppermint cuts through the richness to brighten every bite will have you hooked in no time
02 -
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the swirl mixture
- Swirling gently is key—overmixing will blend away that pretty marbled effect
03 -
- To prevent cracking, don't overbake—when the center still jiggles slightly, it's perfect
- Gently folding crushed peppermint candies into the cheesecake mix preserves their texture and flavor best