Instant Pot Grain Free Peppermint Cheesecake is the perfect holiday themed treat. This creamy, healthier, real food cheesecake is topped with sea salted chocolate ganache and is quite the show stopper.
Instant Pot Grain Free Peppermint Cheesecake is such a dreamy dessert. It’s so elegant, festive and fun for the holidays!
Lightly infused peppermint cheesecake topped with flaked sea salted chocolate ganache is magical. This rich and refreshing treat leaves you completely satisfied and having all of the happy feels of holiday bliss.
Cheesecake is the kind of dessert that makes you feel loved!
Food can do that right? Okay, so maybe the cheesecake can’t actually “make” you feel loved, but you can certainly feel the love that went into preparing this delicious treat.
Each bite feels special, like so much love and care was put into making this thick, smooth, slice of heaven.
At least that’s the way I like to look at it. It’s a special dessert, that’s for sure.
The holidays are all about LOVE. Loving each other, spreading love, spreading joy, and of course sharing beautiful food with loved ones.
Cheesecake is definitely one of those desserts that makes you want to share it with someone you love. Whether it’s your spouse, your kiddos, your best friend, your neighbor, or family members, this dessert is full of so much love and meant to be shared.
Did you know that it’s so easy to make cheesecake in the Instant Pot?
Truly, it’s SO easy! Yes, there is a little wait time involved while waiting for the cheesecake to chill. But, the actual prep and cook time in the Instant Pot is so simple! The Instant Pot cooks cheesecake so beautifully! It turns out perfect every single time.
You will need my absolute favorite kitchen tool, the Instant Pot for this recipe. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend them. I have two! Why? Because the Instant Pot is seriously one of the greatest kitchen tools ever.
I’m actually in the process of writing my first cookbook, The Art of Great Cooking With Your Instant Pot, that will be out in October 2017. That’s how much I love the Instant Pot! It’s been such a life saver and game changer in my kitchen. If you don’t have and Instant Pot yet, I know you will love it! Everyone raves about this brilliant machine.
But back to this amazing cheesecake, all you need to do is mix the crust together with your hands, then push it into a springform pan {I use this springform pan and this glass lid that fits perfectly in the Instant Pot} and pop that into the freezer. While that’s chilling, throw all of the cheesecake ingredients into a blender and blend on low until smooth and combined. Pour that silky goodness into your springform pan, cover it with a lid and you’re good to go! Super easy!
The covered cheesecake goes into your Instant Pot on top of the trivet. In 35 minutes, your cheesecake will be perfectly cooked/steamed. Next up, it’s all about chilling. Cheesecake needs to be cold and chilled. No way around that. Patience. It’s so worth it.
Instant Pot Grain Free Peppermint Cheesecake with sea salted chocolate ganache is meant to be shared with someone you love. So get out your fancy plates, grab a warm mug of something yummy, and curl up by the fire with a perfect slice of cheesecake.
Instant Pot Grain Free Peppermint Cheesecake
Instant Pot Grain Free Peppermint Cheesecake
Yield 8-10 servings
Ingredients
- 16 ounces full fat organic cultured cream cheese {preferably grass-fed}, softened
- 2 pastured or organic eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup maple sugar
- 1/4 cup organic cultured sour cream {preferably grass-fed}
- 1 tablespoon Otto's cassava flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract or 3-4 drops Vitality peppermint essential oil {I only recommend these therapeutic grade essential oils}
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
For the Crust:
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 2 tablespoons maple sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted grass-fed butter or ghee, melted
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 6 ounces allergy-friendly chocolate, chopped
- 1/3 cup organic cream
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Flaked sea salt for sprinkling on top of the ganache
Instructions
- Get your springform pan ready and set aside. Add almond flour, maple sugar and melted butter/ghee to a small bowl. With clean hands, mix until completely combined. Dump mixture into your springform pan and press down forming a packed "crust" at the bottom {don't allow too much to go up the sides}. Place springform pan in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- While the springform pan is in the freezer, prepare the cheesecake filling. Add all cheesecake filling ingredients to a high powdered blender and blend on low speed until smooth and combined. Pour cheesecake filling into the frozen springform mold. Use a spoon or spatula to evenly distribute and smooth the top. Place Instant Pot trivet in your Instant Pot. Add 1 cup water to the Instant Pot. Gently place your springform pan in the Instant Pot and cover with glass lid [See Notes about lid.]. Secure your Instant Pot lid making sure the seal valve is closed. Press Manual {High Pressure} and increase the time of 35 minutes. Walk away. When the cook time is done, press the cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot. Unplug your Instant Pot and let it naturally pressure release for 15 minutes. Using an oven mitt, release the seal valve letting any remaining pressure out. Remove the lid and VERY CAREFULLY lift trivet and cheesecake out of the Instant Pot {please use CAUTION doing this, use oven mitts or thick towels, the Instant Pot and springform pan will be extremely HOT}. Allow to cool to room temperature with the lid remaining on. Once cooled, remove the lid taking care not to drip any of the condensation on the top of the cheesecake and gently run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake. This will help loosen the cheesecake when you're ready to remove it from the outer springform. Wipe off all condensation from the lid and place back on top of the cheesecake and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours until completely chilled, best overnight.
- When the cheesecake is chilled, make chocolate ganache. Place cream in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and sea salt. Stir until all chocolate is melted and it's smooth and shiny. Pour over the top of the cheesecake. Use a spoon to smooth out the ganache and sprinkle the top with flaked sea salt.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe requires a 6" or 7" springform pan. Alternatively, you can use a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish with a glass lid - you won't be able to remove the cheesecake as nicely though. My preference is a springform pan with the glass lid from the casserole dish. Whatever you use, just make sure it fits in your Instant Pot.
If you don't have a glass lid, you can cover the top of the springform pan with unbleached parchment paper then top that with foil and secure it around the edges.
NOTE: If using peppermint essential oil, I only recommend these therapeutic grade essential oils. Not all essential oils are created equal and many are not food grade or approved for consumption.
Grain Free Crust Option: If nut flour isn't an option, you can use 1 cup Otto's cassava flour and increase the amount of butter/ghee to 3 tablespoons.
Are you on Pinterest? I pin lots of yummy real food recipes + more there. I have a board just for Gluten Free Treats + Winter Favorites + Christmas too. Come follow along.
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Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies
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Oh. my. goodness. I’m dying here. I was just thinking that I needed to get a springform pan… It must have been fate. 😉 I can’t wait to try this!
I wish I could send you some Raia! xo I hope you get make a cheesecake soon!
I have been on a serious hunt for grain-free desserts to make in the Instant Pot!!! This is brilliant. I’m super excited to make one, and potentially experiment with my OWN creation! Yum. The salted caramel… swooning.
I hope you get to make something delicious!
Oh goodness! Ok so I definitely need to hop on the IP cheesecake train now!! This looks so yummy!
Thanks Renee! IP cheesecake is so awesome! I hope you get to make some 🙂
That is such a fun idea for the instant pot!
Thanks Rebecca! I love using the IP!
WHAT?!!!?? Did you really go here? OMG I am SOOOOOO making this, it looks absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for the awesome recipe! Bonus — it’s an instant pot recipe, oh yay! 🙂
LOL I did 🙂 xo IP cheesecake is so awesome! I hope you get to make some Halle! 🙂
Wow I love this cheesecake recipe! This is a must-make!
Thanks so much Sharon! 🙂
this looks absolutely delicious! Must try!
Thanks so much!
This is such an awesome idea! I’ve been wanting to try a dessert in my IP and now I’ve decided it has to be this one.
Thanks so much Becky! You’ll love how delicious desserts turn out in the IP! 🙂
Heavenly! Just heavenly!
Thanks so much Linda! xo
Cheesecake in a pressure cooker? I love that idea. I recently purchased my first Instant Pot, so I’ll have to see how it goes! Also, the idea of peppermint cheesecake with a dark chocolate ganache really does sound downright magical 🙂
Isn’t that so cool?! I love that you can make it in the IP. I hope you love and enjoy your IP! 🙂
Oh recently I’ve been getting curious about grain free desserts. This looks so perfect
Thanks Veena, it’s really yummy 🙂
Woah! Who knew you could bake a cheesecake in the IP??? Just one more reason why the IP is AMAZING!
Yes! The IP is so awesome! 🙂
I have never tried peppermint flavored cheesecake before! This fluffy, thick cake looks so delicious!
Thanks so much Luci! The peppermint flavor is so festive and refreshing 🙂
Beautiful dessert! Cheesecake is one of our favorite go-to sweets is cheesecake. So many delicious flavors and I can’t believe you can make it in a slow cooker. Unfortunately, our slow cooker is oblong and oversized 🙁 I will try this out in our spring form pan.
Thanks so much Marisa! Isn’t cheesecake the best?! 🙂 I love how you can easily change up the flavors. This one is made in a pressure cooker, a bit different than a slow cooker, but I’m sure you could make one in a slow cooker too!
This cake looks amazing! I need an IP.
Thanks Theresa! I hope you’re able to get an Instant Pot! I think you’ll love it!
Im a fan of anything that can be made in the instant pot!!?
Me too! Isn’t the IP the best?!
Downright genius stuff happening in your kitchen 🙂 Can’t wait to try this one out in my new Instant Pot!
Thanks so much Irena! Enjoy your Instant Pot, they are so amazing! 🙂
This cake looks so lovely ! I love cheesecake and now instant ready. Have to make it !!
Thanks so much! Cheesecake is so awesome! 🙂
Wowza! This is stunning! I am making this in my IP for the holidays. Thank you!
Thanks so much Cristina! I hope you get to make some, happy holidays!
Wow. Instant Pot cheese cake! So cool
Thank you Anna!
YES! Cheesecake is the kind of dessert that makes me feel loved!
Right?! I love how it does that 🙂
Oh my, You can make cheesecake in an Instant Pot?? Now I really want an Instant Pot. They must be magical!
I hope you’re able to get one Stacey 🙂 Instant Pot’s are so awesome!
I love that this is made in the Instant Pot! It looks so so amazing!
Thanks so much Jessica! 🙂
Wow, this is fantastic, I had no idea you could make cheesecake in the instapot!
Thanks Sylvie! IP Cheesecake is so awesome! I love that it comes out so well in the Instant Pot 🙂
Okay, you win. The deliciousest looking recipe award goes to you! 🙂
You’re too kind Rachel xo Thanks!
Holy wow, this is amazing!! Never would have thought you can make cheesecake in an instant pot!!
Thanks so much Dana! It’s so awesome in the IP 🙂
I honestly had never heard of making cheesecake in an IP, but now I must try! This looks incredible!
Thanks so much Michele! It’s so awesome in the Instant Pot! 🙂 I hope you get to make some.
I’ve been dying to try a cheeescake in my IP. I need to get a pan that fits inside .
Brianna you’re going to love it! They turn out so good in the IP 🙂
I’m totally floored. Cheesecake in an Instapot! Is there anything you can’t do in those suckers??
I know right?! The Instant Pot is pretty amazing 🙂
Oh dear Emily! I’m SO excited about this cheesecake and your NEW cookbook. I have no doubts that it will be a show-stopper. Just by your description, my mouth is watering and my mind is spinning. I am so thrilled that the Instant Pot is getting so much ‘press’ among bloggers. Congrats hun!
Thanks so much Kelly! That means everything to me coming from you. xo The Instant Pot really is becoming a hit and such a time saver for so many people 🙂
I am sure you have heard this many times over but I am terribly excited about the joy and deliciousness this will provide to many. Yet another Instant Pot sensation.
Thanks Carrie! I love that about the Instant Pot! 🙂