1 1/2 cups butter softened ▢20 oz cream cheese softened ▢1 1/2 cups sugar ▢2 1/2 tsp peppermint extract ▢Candy Canes (optional) ▢Red food coloring (optional)
Combine all ingredients with a hand mixer until homogeneous. As desirable, add additional peppermint extract.
Ensure that the sides of the 8-by-8-inch pan lined with wax or parchment paper are brimming with the mixture to facilitate removal.
Apply three to five drops of red food coloring to the cheesecake's surface, then swirl with a knife to create crimson swirls.
Use a knife to swirl droplets of red food coloring for decoration. Additionally, pieces of candy cane may be sprinkled on top of the cheesecake.
Refrigerate for one to two hours. Apply the hanging paper to the pan in order to extract the cheesecake. Bars should be cut and served.