Swirls-of-Peppermint Cheesecake Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.

2. For crust, in a medium bowl, combine crushed cookies, 2 tablespoons sugar, and the melted butter; stir until coated. Press mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, for filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and the vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in milk until combined. Stir in eggs.

4. Transfer 1 cup of the cream cheese mixture to a small bowl; stir in peppermint extract and enough red food coloring to make desired color. Pour the plain cream cheese mixture over partially baked crust, spreading evenly. Drizzle red cream cheese mixture over plain cream cheese mixture. Use a thin metal spatula to gently swirl the mixtures.

5. Bake in the preheated oven about 20 minutes or until set. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours. Cut into bars. Sprinkle bars with crushed candies or place a miniature peppermint candy on each bar before serving. Makes 32 bars.