Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

I have to admit that I’m not really a fan of cheesecake or cheesecake bars for that matter. I didn’t care for these bars, but everyone else who tried them loved them. My husband, who is brutally honest, gave these bars 9 out of 10. So, if you enjoy cheesecake, give these a shot!

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1-3/4 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut up, or 1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

2 tablespoons butter

1-1/4 cups sour cream

1/4 cup sugar

Grated fresh nutmeg and/or milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate curls

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Stir in the 1/3 cup melted butter. Press mixture evenly into bottom of the prepared baking pan; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and the 1-3/4 cups sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat in pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt on low speed just until combined. Remove 1-1/4 cups of the mixture.

In a small heavy saucepan, combine the 6 ounces chocolate and the 2 tablespoons butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Whisk chocolate mixture into the 1-1/4 cups pumpkin mixture. Pour over crust, spreading evenly. Bake for 15 minutes.

Carefully pour the remaining pumpkin mixture over baked chocolate layer, spreading evenly. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes more or until filling is puffed and center is set. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine sour cream and 1/4 cup sugar. Gently spread over cookies. Cool completely. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours. Cut into bars.* Before serving, sprinkle with nutmeg and/or chocolate curls. Makes 24 to 36 bars.

*Test Kitchen Tip: To make triangle-shape bars, cut the cookies crosswise into four strips. Then cut each strip into five triangles (you'll end up with two half-triangles from the ends of each strip).

To Make Ahead: Bake and chill cookies as directed; cut into bars. Place in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens