I’ve noticed I tend to gravitate towards “green” flavors, both sweet and savory – lime, wasabi, green apple, mint, avocado, pesto, matcha etc. With Christmas quickly approaching, a touch of green seems quite appropriate, especially in classic holiday desserts. Sneak in some mint and green tea flavor into this easy cheesecake recipe to surprise your friends and family this holiday.

Green Tea and Mint Oreo Cheesecake (Serves 8)
• 30 mint Oreo cookies (1 15.25 oz package)
• 2 packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp matcha powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• vegetable oil or spray

1. Preheat oven to 235 degrees. Remove cream frosting from Oreo cookies and put aside. Place cookies in a food processor and grind to a coarse powder. If you don’t have a food processor, you can also put cookies into a ziploc bag and smash with a pan.

2. Stir in melted butter and mix evenly.

3. Press Oreo crust down tightly onto a greased springform pan.

4. Mix cream cheese, remaining mint oreo filling, and matcha powder.

5. Slowly whisk in eggs, one at a time. Pour into springform pan.

6. Bake for 55 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours before removing springform pan.Garnish with powdered sugar, whipped cream and additional Oreoes. (The powdered sugar is a great way to hide some of the bubbles on the surface.)