- 1 cup HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 (8 ounce) packages PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 4 (1 ounce) squares BAKER'S Premium White Baking Chocolate, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
- 1/2 cup chopped candy canes
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F if using a silver 9-inch springform pan (or to 300 degrees F if using a dark nonstick 9-inch springform pan). Mix crumbs, 3 Tbsp. of the sugar and the butter; press firmly onto bottom of pan. Bake 10 min.
- Beat cream cheese and remaining 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Stir in melted chocolate and the extract; pour over crust.
- Bake 45 to 50 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Top with the whipped topping and chopped candy canes just before serving. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.