Cheesecake Brownie Bars
I can't think of two better desserts than cheesecake and brownies. Can you? These Cheesecake Brownie Bars bring together the best of two worlds. They're topped off with a thick, rich chocolate layer and it almost like biting into a cheesecake candy bar.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
- 4 oz. cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
Brownie Batter
- ¾ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup good quality cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 11.5 oz. bag chocolate chips
Instructions
Prep
- Preheat oven to 350 and prepare an 8 x 8 baking pan by layering parchment or aluminum foil in the bottom of the baking dish, leaving about an inch overhang.
To Make the Filling
- In a bowl cream the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour.
- Add the egg and beat until combined well, about 2 minutes.
- Set aside and make the brownie batter.
To Make the Batter
- Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into another bowl.
- In a separate medium bowl cream the butter, sugar and vanilla.
- Add one egg at a time beating well and scraping bowl in between.
- Fold into the dry ingredients.
- Fold ½ cup of chocolate chips into the mixture.
- Spread brownie batter into the bottom of the baking pan.
- Spread cheesecake layer over brownie batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes.
To Make the Topping
- Remove pan from oven and immediately spread the remaining chocolate chips over the hot cheesecake layer.
- Wait 10 minutes and using a spatula spread the melted chocolate chips over the top.
- Cool and allow melted chocolate chips to firm up before cutting.
- Makes 9 brownie bars.
Recipe Expert Tips
Use Quality Ingredients: The flavor of your cheesecake brownie bars depends greatly on the quality of the ingredients you use. Invest in high-quality chocolate, cream cheese, and vanilla extract for the best results.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature before you start. This will ensure a smoother and creamier cheesecake mixture.
- Don't Overmix: When you're combining your ingredients, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can incorporate too much air into the batter, which can cause the bars to crack during baking.
- Bake in a Water Bath: Optional-Baking your cheesecake brownie bars in a water bath can help keep them moist and prevent cracking. Just place your baking dish in a larger pan and fill the larger pan with hot water before placing it in the oven.
- Let It Cool Slowly: Don't rush the cooling process. After baking, let your cheesecake brownie bars cool slowly on the counter. Then, transfer them to the refrigerator to cool completely. This slow cooling process will also help prevent cracking.
- Cutting Bars: To get clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean after each cut. You can also heat the knife under hot water, dry it off, and then make the cut for even cleaner lines.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 486kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 4gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 214mgFiber: 1gSugar: 51gVitamin A: 482IUCalcium: 70mgIron: 1mg
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