Latte Cheesecake Bars

Hey Jude's Note:

These is a terrific dessert bar recipe that I found in the Chicago Sun-Times, originally from a holiday baking brochure put out by Land O'Lakes.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 36 bars

Crust

• 2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling

• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Crust: combine cookie crumbs and melted butter and mix well; press into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.
2. Filling: combine whipping cream and coffee granules and let stand for 5 minutes, or until coffee dissolves.
3. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, combine cream cheese and sugar; beat, scraping the bowl often, until creamy, about 1 minute; add reserved coffee mixture, eggs and vanilla; beat, scraping often, just until combined; pour over reserved crust and bake in a preheated 350° oven for 20-25 minutes, or until center is nearly set; remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for one hour.
4. Topping: Place whipping cream in a small saucepan and heat over medium just until it comes to a boil, about one minute; remove from heat and add chocolate chips, stirring until melted; spread over cheesecake and refrigerate until chocolate sets, about 1 hour.

Reviews

[iovinos]

This was a simple recipe that yielded amazing results. I did feel like it was missing something... still unsure what but still very delicious! I would make them again and have been asked to :) A hit with the guests.

[brian48195]

These were very good. I will make them again. Thanks for sharing.

[Chef #902324]

These were a hit at a baby shower, when I needed bite-sized not plate sized treats. I topped each square with a coffee covered almond (from Starbucks b/c they didn't have choc. cov. coffee beans) and I was asked for the recipe numerous times!