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Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 16 reviews

These rich and decadent Chocolate Cheesecake Bars feature a crunchy Oreo crust topped with a creamy, fudgy chocolate cheesecake layer, finished with a luscious chocolate ganache. Perfect for chocolate lovers, these bars are easy to make and ideal for parties, gatherings, or an indulgent dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Oreo Crust

  • 2 cups Oreo crumbs (about 2 rows of Oreos in regular pack)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

Chocolate Cheesecake

  • 24 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (use Dutch process)
  • 8 oz chocolate bar (melted; I used Lindt 70%)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)

Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray a 9×9-inch square pan with nonstick baking spray and line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper again to ensure easy removal later.
  2. Make Oreo Crust: Using a food processor, blend the Oreos into fine crumbs. Pour the crumbs into a small bowl and mix in the melted butter with a fork until well combined.
  3. Press Crust: Pour the Oreo crumb mixture into the prepared pan and use the bottom of a measuring cup to compact the crust firmly, making sure it only covers the bottom of the pan, not the sides.
  4. Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the oven for 12 minutes. While crust bakes, prepare the chocolate cheesecake batter.
  5. Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the 8 oz chocolate bar by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, then 20 seconds, and finally 15-second intervals until fully melted and smooth.
  6. Beat Cream Cheese Mixture: In a mixer, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder on high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl sides.
  7. Add Melted Chocolate, Cream, and Vanilla: Mix in the melted chocolate, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and vanilla extract on medium speed until smooth and fully combined.
  8. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time and mix on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture creamy.
  9. Bake the Cheesecake: Pour the chocolate cheesecake batter over the baked crust and bake for 40-50 minutes. The edges should be set but the center should still have a slight jiggle.
  10. Cool Cheesecake: Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 20 minutes to prevent cracks. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  11. Chill: Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate the cheesecake bars for at least 6 hours or overnight to set fully.
  12. Make Ganache: Place semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
  13. Decorate with Ganache: Remove cheesecake bars from the pan by lifting the parchment paper. Pour the ganache evenly over the top and spread using an offset spatula. For best slicing, chill in the freezer for 10 minutes before cutting. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and even baking.
  • Be careful not to overbake; the center should remain slightly jiggly when done.
  • Chilling overnight improves the texture and flavor.
  • Use a sharp knife warmed under hot water to cut clean bars after chilling.
  • The Dutch-process cocoa powder offers a richer chocolate flavor and darker color.
  • To make it easier to remove from the pan, use parchment paper overhang on two sides.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate cheesecake bars, Oreo crust cheesecake, chocolate ganache dessert, easy chocolate bars, rich chocolate dessert

Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/chocolate-cheesecake-bars-recipe/