Santa's Favorite Cheesecake

Oh, do we love our holiday cookies, gingerbread men, and fruitcakes....Well, two out of three ain't bad! So when we bring out this cheesecake, sporting the colors of Christmas, expect all the Ho! Ho! Ho! to quickly turn into a chorus of "OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!"

Serves: 8

Cooking Time: 40 min

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate graham crackers
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
• 3 (8 ounces each) packages cream cheese, softened
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, divided
• 5 drops red food color
• 5 drops green food color

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    
2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar, and butter; mix well. Press into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form a crust; set aside.
    
3. In a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract; mix well.
    
4. Reserve 1/2 cup batter and pour remaining batter over prepared crust.
    
5. Divide 1/2 cup batter into 2 small bowls and add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to each bowl. Add red food color to one bowl and green food color to other bowl; mix each one well.
    
6. Spoon each colored batter onto white batter in dollops. Using a knife, swirl batters together to create a marbled effect.
    
7. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until almost set in center. Allow to cool completely then cover and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight.
    

Notes

Complete the holiday theme by garnishing each slice of cheesecake with a blizzard of whipped cream and a miniature candy cane.