Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF degrees.
• Cut a 10-inch circle of parchment paper and place it at the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Then, grease with butter or spray with oil the sides of the pan and set aside.

Crust

• Remove the filling of the Oreo cookies and place them in a food processor. Pulse until you get a fine cookie powder.
• In a bowl, whisk together the Oreo powder with melted butter until well combined.
• Move the Oreo mixture to the springform pan and press into the bottom using a measuring cup or another tool with a flat surface to make a uniform crust. Then, bake the Oreo crust for 10 minutes.

Cheesecake Filling

• Using a mixer at medium speed, mix the cream cheese and sugar until well combined.
• Add the eggs one at a time and the heavy cream and mix until you get a smooth consistency.
• Slowly add cacao powder, flour, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, sour cream and flour. Mix until well combined and make sure not to leave any lumps. Note: To avoid lumps, you can use a strainer to add the dry ingredients slowly while you are mixing the batter.
• Pour the cheesecake filling into the springform pan and bake for 45 minutes.
• After 45 minutes, turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool for 3 hours with the oven door closed. Then, move the cheesecake to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 2 hours. Note: Make sure to move the cheesecake to the refrigerator when completely cooled, if the cheesecake is still warm, let it cool completely before moving it to the refrigerator.

Topping

• In a stand mixer, beat the heavy cream on medium speed for 2 minutes and then increase to high speed until you get a smooth consistency and until your cream form soft peaks. Then add sugar and mint extract and beat until your cream form stiff peaks.
• Using a spatula, spread the whipped cream on top of the cheesecake.
• Then, place mint candies on the edge of the cheesecake and then sprinkle the crushed peppermint over the whipped cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!