Peppermint Cheesecake Ball

 I have been dreaming of PEPPERMINT!

Ever since the weather turned cold and Christmas 

music started playing throughout the house,

that is all I can think of.  I am craving peppermint.

I just can't get enough, and this simple dessert would

be perfect for snacking on while watching Christmas Movies -

which I have been doing while I have been wrapping presents.

We have to get everything done early as we leave for Paris

and Germany soon and won't be home until right before

Christmas.  

This fabulous cheesecake ball is something I could just eat

and eat and eat.  It is so simple - just stir together some

ingredients, let chill, roll in peppermint candy and chocolate

and you are ready to dip in.

I can just see this one going to Christmas parties!

Peppermint Cheesecake Ball

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 C. butter, room temperature

1 C. powdered sugar

1/3 C. crushed candy canes, or peppermint candies

10 drops Creme de Menthe or Peppermint oil

Pink gel food coloring

Coating:

1/2 C. crushed candy canes, or peppermint candies

2 tsp. Chocolate Jimmies

In mixing bowl mix the cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar

with the batter attachment.  Stir in the crushed candy canes, flavoring

and pink food coloring.  Test and adjust the flavoring as needed.  I prefer

to use Creme de Menthe flavoring as it has a softer mint flavor and

doesn't end up tasting like medicine.  If you have a problem finding it,

here is a link to order it.

Line a small bowl with plastic wrap and spoon the batter

into the bowl.  Cover and refrigerate until firm.  If you are in a hurry

you could place it in the freezer for 30 minutes.  

Remove the firm cheesecake batter from fridge.  Lightly flour your hands,

and shape into a ball.  Place the crushed candy cakes and chocolate

jimmies on a small plate and roll the cheesecake ball in the coating.

Press in as needed.

Cover with plastic wrap and return to fridge until ready to

serve.  Serve with assorted cookies.

It was perfect on chocolate wafers, but you 

can't beat the holiday Chessman cookies.

This is so simple and everyone loves it!  It is a fun, light dessert

for Christmas.

Make up a Peppermint Cheesecake Ball and

sit down to a Christmas movie!

(I cried from the start to the end of 

It's A Wonderful Life.  I hadn't watched

that in a few years.  We all need to count our many,

many blessing.)

Enjoy!

I will be posting this with

Pink Saturday