Instant Pot Peppermint Cheesecake made with a cookie crumb crust and topped with chocolate ganache. This cheesecake is garnished with broken peppermint candies and chocolate curls.
Instant Pot Cheesecake
Cheesecake in the Instant Pot isn't only delicious but it's also incredibly easy to make! Instant Pot Cheesecakes are simple to make and essentially worry-free once you put them in the pot to pressure cook.
To make this peppermint cheesecake you will need a 7-inch springform pan, a silicone sling (or one made out of aluminum foil), and of course, a pressure cooker.
Ingredients in Peppermint Cheesecake
- Cream Cheese
- Eggs - room temp
- Heavy cream - used in the cheesecake and the ganache
- Granulated Sugar
- Cornstarch - used as a binder and thickening agent
- Peppermint extract
- Chocolate sandwich cookies - crushed
- Butter - to bind the crust
- Salt
- Semi-sweet chocolate - chips or squares
Cheesecake Crust
I prefer to bake my crust before adding the cheesecake batter to the mix. Blind baking helps prevent soggy crusts and it's a must for me when making my cheesecakes.
To make this peppermint cheesecake crust I use a food processor to crush the chocolate sandwich cookies. I then add the salt and the melted butter and blend until the mixture is all wet. It's quick and simple when using a food processor to make cheesecakes!
I lightly grease the inside of my springform pan and add the crust to the inside of the pan. I then use a spoon to spread the cookie crumbs along the bottom of the pan as well as up the sides of the pan.
I then blind bake my crust at 325° for 12 minutes. This will create a nice crisp crust for your cheesecake filling.
After baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to sit out while making the peppermint cheesecake batter.
How to Make an Instant Pot Cheesecake
It's fairly easy to make cheesecake in a pressure cooker even if you're a beginner!
When making cheesecakes it's important to use room temperature ingredients and to not overbeat your cheesecake batter. This will result in a lumpy cheesecake and it's one of the biggest complaints when making cheesecake. It can easily be avoided by not overbeating.
I use my food processor when mixing my ingredients because it is fast and efficient.
The first step is to blend the room temperature cream cheese until it is broken down and smooth. The room temperature heavy cream, granulated sugar, cornstarch, salt, chopped peppermints, and peppermint extract are added next and blended until smooth.
The last step to making this peppermint cheesecake batter is so add the eggs and blend them in short pulses until just combined. Remember, overbeating the cheesecake batter results in a lumpy cheesecake.
Making an Instant Pot Cheesecake only takes 1 cup of water in the liner before lowering the springform pan down into the inside of the pot.
I use aluminum foil to cover my cheesecake so that it doesn't gather as much water on top of the cheesecake as it is pressure cooking. This step is completely optional when making this Peppermint Cheesecake or any Instant Pot cheesecake for that matter.
RELATED: Instant Pot Snickerdoodle Cheesecake
Instant Pot Cheesecake Sizes
For a 6 qt Instant Pot, you will need to use a 7-inch springform (or push) pan to make this peppermint cheesecake. You need at least a half-inch of clearance for the pressure cooker to build up pressure.
If you have an 8 qt or larger pressure cooker you can use an 8-inch pan. Since the pan is larger then cheesecake batter will create a thinner cheesecake.
Alternately, you can make mini cheesecakes using 4" springform pans. Simply prepare the crusts by dividing the cookie crumbs among three 4" pans and blind baking.
The batter is made the same but divided equally between the pans.
Pressure cooking time is different however! The time will be reduced to just 11 minutes when making mini cheesecakes.
Mini Peppermint Cheesecakes are great to give away during the holiday season. In fact, having fun with different Instant Pot cheesecake flavors is a great way to personal baked goods as Christmas gifts!
Instant Pot Cheesecake Flavors
The Instant Pot is a great way to make cheesecakes. In fact, I personally prefer to use my Instant Pot to make my cheesecakes because I love the way they turn out!
For the chocoholics, this Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake is for them! It has a cookie crumb crust with a chocolate cheesecake filling and is tolled with chocolate ganache. Garnishing this cheesecake are chocolate curls.
For fruit lovers, this Meyer Lemon Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, or Key Lime Cheesecake are the cheesecakes to make.
If you're looking for the classic cheesecake flavors, this simple Instant Pot Cheesecake recipe is great.
When baking during the holidays, you may be thinking festive! Either this Instant Pot Peppermint Cheesecake or this Snickerdoodle Cheesecake will definitely do the trick! Both cheesecakes have the flavors found in holiday and Christmas desserts.
Another note-worthy Christmas cheesecake is this Gingerbread cheesecake - it's perfect for the holidays and has the classic flavors of gingerbread.
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Peppermint Cheesecake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese - room temperature
- 2 eggs - room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream - room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ cup of crushed peppermint or candy canes
- 1 cup water
Cheesecake Crust
- 15 chocolate sandwich cookies - crushed
- 4 tablespoon butter - melted
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Chocolate Ganache
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup crushed peppermint or candy canes for garnish.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F
- Using a food processor or bag with a rolling pin, crush the chocolate sandwich cookies until ground finely.
- Mix in the melted butter and the salt.
- Combine until all of the cookies are moist.
- Lightly spray a 7-inch springform or push pan and add the crust mixture to the pan.
- Using a spoon, spread out the cookies evenly along the bottom and press the cookie crumbs up on the sides of the pan.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. (Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.)
- Remove pan from the oven once baked and set aside.
- Meanwhile, beat the room temperature cream cheese until it is creamy. (I use a food processor but you can use a hand mixer.)
- Add the heavy cream and blend well.
- Next, mix in the cornstarch, salt, sugar, crushed peppermint, and peppermint extract.
- Once everything is combined well add in the eggs one at a time.
- This step is important - do not overbeat the eggs. Add the eggs one at a time and stir (or pulse) until just combined.
- Spoon the cheesecake batter into the baked crust and lightly tap the pan on the counter to release any bubbles.
- Place aluminum foil on top of the cheesecake (optional)
- Add 1 cup of water to the inner liner of the Instant Pot.
- Carefully lower the cheesecake down into the inner liner using a silicone sling or a homemade one.
- Close the lid and the vent on the Instant Pot and set it to 40 minutes.
- Allow the cheesecake to naturally release pressure for 18 minutes before opening the lid.
- Remove the cheesecake from the Instant Pot and allow the cheesecake to cool for 10 minutes before placing it in the refrigerator to chill completely.
- Allow the cheesecake to chill for 24 hours before removing from the springform pan.
To Make the ganache,- Place 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl.
- Add ½ cup of heavy cream to a small saucepan.
- Heat the heavy cream on medium heat until it is bubbly.
- Carefully pour the heated heavy cream on top of the chocolate chips.
- Wait a minute or two before stirring together.
- Allow cooling before pouring over the chilled cheesecake.
To Remove Cheesecake From the Springform Pan.- Using a knife, carefully run the knife along the cheesecake to separate the cake from the pan.
- Remove the cheesecake from the pan and set it on a serving platter.
- Pour the cooled ganache over the cheesecake and allow the ganache to set before serving.
- If desired, add the crushed peppermint on top of the ganache.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
Kate says
Thank you for sharing this cheesecake recipe. I am always on the lookout for what I can do with my instant pot. Your pictures look so good and mouth-watering. I will try this very soon.
Susan says
How many eggs do you use? Not specified in the recipe that I could see.
Thanks
Dana says
Hi Susan, there are 2 room temperature eggs listed in the ingredients. 🙂
Jordan Leake says
Do you use the full chocolate sandwich cookie (with cream) or do you scoop the cream out?
Dana says
I use the whole cookie 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo says
Cheesecake is a favorite and my sons favorite flavor is mint so this will be a nice surprise for him!
Natalie says
Cheesecakes are my weakness. This peppermint-flavored cake looks amazing. I have to bake it this weekend. Yum! Can't wait.
Julie says
I love this cheesecake recipe for the holidays. It came out perfect and I will be making it next year too! So festive.
Gail Montero says
What a show-stopping holiday dessert! What a huge hit this would be this Christmas!
Nadea says
What pressure level?????????
Nadea says
Nevermind. Used a different recipe that’s actually organized.
Dana says
Okay, hope you like the recipe you picked! It's high pressure. Cheesecake is always cooked under high pressure in the pressure cooker. Have a great holiday!
Kaylah says
What kind of heavy cream do you use ? Like table cream or whipping cream?
Dana says
Heavy whipping cream 🙂
Rita says
Can you use an egg substitute for those allergic to eggs?
Dana says
I haven't personally done it but it should be fine! Plain Greek yogurt or sweetened condensed milk might do the trick.