Mint Cheesecake Bites

Directions

1. 1
   Stir together cookie crumbs and butter; press mixture into bottom of an aluminum foil-lined 13- x 9-inch pan.
2. 2
   Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
3. 3
   Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
4. 4
   Stir in peppermint extract and food coloring. Spread cream cheese mixture over prepared crust.
5. 5
   Bake at 300° for 35 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill 8 hours.
6. 6
   Place chocolate morsels and shortening in a small heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; seal. Submerge bag in hot water until chocolate melts; gently knead until mixture is smooth. Snip a tiny hole in 1 corner of plastic bag; drizzle chocolate over cheesecake in a crisscross pattern, if desired. Cut into squares.