This decadent and surprisingly easy dessert features a layer of fudgy brownie, a layer of mint chocolate chip cheesecake, and is topped with chocolate ganache!
How in the world is it December already? I can’t get over how fast this year flew by. Despite that I’ve been baking Christmas-themed desserts for a few weeks now, listening to Christmas music, watching my favorite holiday movies, and finally have all my decorations out, I’m still in denial that it’s coming up in 3 1/2 weeks. WHAT!
After we celebrated Thanksgiving early – so early, in fact, that it was over Halloween weekend – I felt like Thanksgiving was over and I had total Christmas brain. Yep, I had Christmas brain the day after Halloween. Yet, now it’s actually appropriate to be thinking about it, and I’m in shock that it’s almost here already, and I feel totally unprepared.
Mainly, I have not purchased a single gift yet and I have no idea what to get anybody. If you have good gift ideas, please share! I’m in desperate need of creative and original ideas. Thankfully, S.O. and I don’t exchange gifts so it’s one less thing to stress about! If I make him this Pumpkin Cheesecake, and he gets me a nice card, we are all set.
Do you think I can get away with shipping cheesecakes to my friends and family? Do you think this Mint Chocolate Chip Brownie Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache Topping would ship well? Um, probably not. I know it would be well-received though!
This cheesecake is the ultimate in decadence. A fudgy and moist brownie layer dotted with mini chocolate chips provides the base for a creamy and rich mint chocolate chip cheesecake layer, and is topped with an easy chocolate ganache! It’s not nearly as much work as it sounds, honestly. There’s a shortcut or two involved. It’s also worth every calorie… but this isn’t the time of year to be thinking about that anyway!
This is the time to be indulging in as many fabulous foods as you can! Save the resolutions for New Year’s. For now, eat all the cheesecake.
Mint Chocolate Chip Brownie Cheesecake w/ Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate brownie mix
- 1/2 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp. mint extract
- 2 - 8 oz. packages reduced fat cream cheese
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. mint extract
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- a few drops green food coloring
- 1 - 12 oz. packages semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3-1/2 c. evaporated milk or heavy cream
Instructions
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Prepare brownie mix according to box instructions.
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Add in 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips and mint extract, mixing until blended.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes in a greased 8-inch springform pan until a toothpick inserted 2-inches from sides comes out with moist crumbs.
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Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
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Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
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Add in mint extract.
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Beat in eggs, just until blended.
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Fold in 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips.
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Spread evenly over brownie layer.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until cheesecake is still slightly jiggly in the center when shaken.
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Cool on a wire rack.
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In a small saucepan on low heat, combine 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips and 1/3 c. heavy cream.
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Cook and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth, and milk is well-incorporated.
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Spread evenly over cooled cheesecake.
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Enjoy!
A hefty slice of this will be by my side tonight as I’m putting the finishing touches on my Christmas tree. I’m also using it to lure S.O. into hanging a few ornaments. We’ll see how that goes!
Ugh, Sarah! I have no idea why it left you a two star rating for this! Please edit it for me…
I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet, either! I definitely need to get a move on that, but I always struggle for ideas, so I’m trying to think of the perfect gifts! But this cheesecake definitely looks like it would make a fabulous treat! I’ve never had a brownie cheesecake before so I’m loving your creativity! And I love that pretty green mint layer, too. Looks perfect, Sarah!
Me too! I always agonize over what to buy people because I want it to be perfect and creative, but this year feels especially hard!! I am totally procrastinating by baking more. Haha! Thanks, Gayle!
I’m sure your family and friends would love you if you shipped them a cheesecake! There is no way I would be able to resist eating a slice of this one. I love mint and chocolate flavors and the chocolate ganache just puts it over the top!
Thanks so much, Ashley!! Yes, they might actually get cheesecakes this year since I don’t have many other ideas. Lol! I think they’d happily accept them though, don’t you think? Haha. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! 🙂
Oh, I know!! I’d be lost without Amazon Prime! It’s really going to save me this year more than ever before! Haha. I need to get on things but I’m in denial. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Not sure how to edit the star rating, but don’t worry about it at all! Haha! 🙂
I love mint chocolate chip! That is the best flavour, never had it in cheesecake form though! I might have to make a mini version of this just to try it but not have a whole cheesecake sitting around tempting me! I am actually almost done my shopping – yay! – but only because I chose to ignore everything else I needed to do and shut the computer for a couple of days. And because my hubby and I do the same thing, and don’t bother getting each other gifts – so much easier!
It really is SOOO much easier not to shop for S.O.! Just one more person to stress about! So impressed (ahem, and super jealous) that you’re done with holiday shopping already. I’m in complete denial about it. Lol!! Yay! You like mint chocolate chip?? It’s one of my favorite flavor combos too! It’s my favorite ice cream… 🙂
I can’t believe we only have 3 1/2 weeks until Christmas either. I would love to get this cheesecake in the mail and I’m sure your family would too 🙂 It looks amazing! Love chocolate and mint especially during this time of year!
I know! Can you believe it? Time is flying! I really need to get on my holiday shopping!! I love mint chocolate stuff too! 🙂 Thanks so much, Kelly!
This is absolutely gorgeous! Wish I was eating a piece right now!!!
Thanks so much, Amanda! I always love to see a comment from you! Thank you. 🙂
This looks divine Sarah. What a combo chocolate and mint! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much, Hadia! I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
My husband’s favorite candy is York peppermint patties, so he would die and go to heaven if I made this. Maybe cheesecakes ARE the perfect S.O. gift. 😉
Totally! Let’s make that a thing – cheesecake gifting!! I love peppermint patties and mint chocolate stuff too! 🙂
Oh yum! looks so fudgy Sarah!! Pass me over a HUGE piece please! Pinning this!
Haha! Thanks so much, Manali! 🙂
Stopping by from Wonderful Wednesday blog hop. Thanks for linking up. I pinned your post to pinterest.com/cdloken/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop-favorites/
Blessings,
Diane Roark
This is gorgeous! I for one CANNOT wait for Christmas… December is sooo long. I love the colors here and the mini chocolate chips in the mint layer are too cute.
Thanks so much, Medha!! Oh, I’m excited for Christmas too, I’m just totally in denial about having to pick out gifts. It gets harder to do every year! Haha! 🙂
Yummy! I’d love cheesecake for a gift. Visiting from Project Parade. I also started following on Pinterest.
Thanks so much, Margaret! So happy to have you here! 🙂
This cheesecake looks like HEAVEN! I would definitely be ok if someone decided to give me this cheesecake as a Christmas gift…I am so so looking forward to trying your recipe out! Yum!! 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad you like it! Let me know if you try it! It’s secretly very easy too, much more so than it probably looks with all the layers. Thanks for your kind comment, Anna! 🙂
This looks so delicious! Mint and chocolate is such a fantastic combination
I agree! I love mint chocolate desserts. Thanks so much, Alyce! 🙂
Oh my goodness! I wish you could send me one of those cakes in the mail! It looks delicious!
Thanks, Chris! I’ll try to remember to come by your link party! 🙂
I need to make this! It looks so festive and my daughter loves chocolate and mint together. Visiting from Link Party Palooza! 🙂
Oh, great! I’m so happy to have you here – thanks for stopping by! I’m glad your daughter loves chocolate and mint desserts too! If you try it, let me know! 🙂
This looks divine!Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop.I will be featuring your yumminess on Monday xo
Oh, great! Thanks so much, Katherine! I’ll see you at the next party, for sure. Have a great Sunday! 🙂
Ooooh this looks good. Pinned it! Our readers loved your post. It was highly viewed on the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop and will be featured this week. Hope to see you there! (We go live Tuesday nights at 7pm ET)
Oh, that’s awesome! I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for the party every week, Sinea! I’ll see you there again! 🙂
Umm these look absolutely delicious! I cannot wait to make them for my in-laws Christmas party!
Definitely! It’s surprisingly easy to make, but totally impresses because of the 3 layers. Let me know how you do! Thanks! 🙂
This looks amazing and delicious! I am making these ASAP! Keep posting stuff like this I love to read it!
Awesome! So glad you like it! Let me know if you try it. 🙂 Glad to have you here!
This is going to be on my Christmas Buffet table! Thanks!
Awesome! So glad to hear that! Let me know how you like it! 🙂
This looks absolutely divine! I can’t wait to make it! Thanks for sharing a recipe with all of my favorites!
Yay – I’m so glad you like it! If you try it, let me know! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
This. Looks. Glorious. 🙂 I want a big huge gigantic piece right now!!
Lol!! Thanks so much, Jocelyn! I always love seeing comments from you – your blog is one of my FAVORITE ever. So glad you like this decadent brownie cheesecake! 🙂
This looks delectable! I wanted to let you know that I’m featuring this post tonight at the Create & Share Link Party (7:00 PM MST)! Congratulations!!! Can’t wait to see what you share with us this week 🙂
http://www.designsbymissmandee.com/
Oh, that’s awesome! Thanks so much, Mandee! I’m so excited for the feature. I’ll see you at he party tonight! 🙂
This looks so amazing! Pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
Thank you! 🙂
Peppermint and chocolate are a favourite of mine, I can’t get enough this time of year. This looks delicious! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Ohhhh just made this but forgot the step where you add the green food coloring. And I was worried about cooking the brownie layer twice? But can’t wait to try it. Looks absolutely delish.
The green food coloring won’t really matter, of course, so no big deal! The brownie layer only gets partially baked the first round, that’s why you check to see that it still has moist crumbs, so when you continue baking it with the cheesecake layer on top, it doesn’t overbake! I’ve made it many times with success, so you should be good to go! Let me know how it turns out!