The Valentine's Desserts that Almost Were

What do you do with 24 half-pint canning jars and a package of candy canes left over from Christmas?

You make beautiful Valentine's Day desserts. That flop. 

Well, that's what I did anyway. Not at all what I would recommend. I did learn some lessons from all of it: To read the ingredient list carefully; To think twice before taking on a huge dessert while on your own with two of your kids and you are 8 months pregnant and really tired; And, to read the ingredient list, again. 

I'm still going to give you the recipe because it is amazingly delicious. And, really it is not that difficult if you just read the ingredient list carefully.  If you're still on the hunt for a Valentine's Day dessert, this is it. A bunch of you (24 of you, to be exact) were actually going to have individual size versions of these delivered to your doorstep on Thursday.  Um . . . . not so much now. But, make it for yourself, especially if you have leftover Christmas candy canes. Put them to good use! Just be sure to WHIP the WHIPping cream before adding it to the other ingredients. Because I didn't do that. And it was a runny mess.  True story, friends. 

Frozen Peppermint Cheesecake 

Ingredients

For Crust
1 1/4	c. choc wafer cookies, crushed
1/4	c. butter, melted
1/4	c. sugar
For Cheesecake
1	8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
1	14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1	c. hard peppermint candy or candy canes, crushed
1/2	c. mini choc chips
2	c. (1 pt) whipping cream, WHIPPED

For Crust
1.	Combine cookie crumbs, butter and sugar

2.	Press firmly on bottom and halfway up sides of 9" springform pan, 13"x9" baking dish, or individual size glass dishes. I used half-pint wide mouth glass canning jars.

For Cheesecake
1.	In large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy
2.	Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk
3.	Stir in crushed candies and choc chips
4.	Fold in whipped cream. (Note: Seriously, WHIP the whipping cream before you add it. I am a total dork that I didn't do that. Major flop.)

5.	Pour into prepared pan; cover
6.	Freeze 6 hours or overnight

Serving
1.	Cut into desired number of slices
2.	Garnish with peppermint candies, whipped cream and/or choc sauce, if desired
3.	Return leftovers to freezer