Crème de Menthe Cheesecake

 

1 3/4

cups chocolate cookie crumbs (from 9-oz. pkg.)

1/4

cup butter, melted

3

(8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

3/4

cup sugar

3

eggs

3/4

cup whipping cream

1/4

cup green crème de menthe

1/2

cup whipping cream

1

tablespoon powdered sugar

8

thin chocolate and green mints, coarsely chopped

• 1 Heat oven to 300°F. In medium bowl, combine crust ingredients; mix well. Press in bottom and up sides of ungreased 9-inch springform pan.
• 2 Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 3/4 cup whipping cream and crème de menthe until well blended. Pour into crust-lined pan.
• 3 Bake at 300°F. for 60 to 70 minutes or until edges are set but center still jiggles slightly when gently shaken. Turn oven off; open oven door at least 4 inches. Let cheesecake sit in oven for 30 minutes or until center is set.
• 4 Remove cheesecake from oven. Cool in pan on wire rack for 1 hour or until completely cooled. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
• 5 Just before serving, carefully run knife around sides of pan to loosen; remove sides of pan. In small bowl, beat 1/2 cup whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spoon whipped cream around edge of cheesecake. Garnish with chopped mints. Store in refrigerator.