Description
Rich chocolate cherry cheesecake bars blend luscious flavors into an irresistible dessert masterpiece. Sweet cherries and creamy chocolate create a delightful harmony that will enchant dessert enthusiasts with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Bars Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (1 pound) cream cheese
- 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen cherries, quartered
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups cold butter
Sweeteners and Flavoring:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Chocolate Drizzle (Optional):
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons whipping cream
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and ready a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or light greasing.
- Pulse flour, brown sugar, cocoa, and butter in a food processor until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture. If no food processor is available, use a pastry knife to cut butter into dry ingredients.
- Separate 1 cup of the crumb mixture for later topping, then firmly press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 25 minutes, allowing it to cool and set slightly after removing from oven.
- Create the cheesecake filling by whipping cream cheese, white sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate eggs into the cream cheese mixture one at a time, ensuring each is fully blended before adding the next.
- Evenly spread the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust, then distribute chopped cherries across the surface.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cheesecake layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325F (163C) and bake for 35-40 minutes until the cheesecake sets and appears slightly firm.
- Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature before cutting into squares.
- Optional: Melt chocolate chips with whipping cream and drizzle decoratively over the cooled bars.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container. These bars can be frozen for extended storage.
Notes
- Crust Perfection: Use cold butter for a flakier, more crumbly texture that creates a delightful base for the cheesecake bars.
- Cherry Selection: Choose fresh, ripe cherries for the most vibrant flavor, or opt for frozen cherries if fresh aren’t available.
- Smooth Cheesecake Technique: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumps and create a silky-smooth filling.
- Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and making party prep easier.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg