American Classics
20130821-263750-mint-chocolate-cheesecake-bars.jpg

[Photograph: Alexandra Penfold]

These easy to prepare bars are perfect for those who love cheesecake but hate the prospect of fussing around with a water bath.

About the author: Alexandra Penfold is mild-mannered literary agent by day, food ninja by night. Never one to skip dessert she's the Brownie half of Blondie & Brownie, a Midtown Lunch contributor, and co-author of New York à la Cart: Recipes and Stories from the Big Apple's Best Food Trucks. You can follow her on Twitter at @BlondieBrownie.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

About This Recipe

Yield: Serves 12
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Special equipment: 9- by 13- inch baking dish

Ingredients

  • 7 ounces chocolate graham crackers, finely crushed
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 ounces sour cream
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 12 ounces chocolate chunks

Procedures

  1. Move oven rack to the center position and preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. In a large bowl pour melted butter over chocolate graham crumbs. Toss to coat. Press the crumbs into the bottom of glass dish.

  3. Bake crust for 10 minutes or until crust is set. Remove crust from oven and let cool while you prepare the filling.

  4. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla and mint extract. Beat until combined then add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides and beating until fully incorporated. Fold in chocolate chunks then pour batter over cooled crust, use a spatula to spread it out evenly in the pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until filling is set. Remove from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes then refrigerate until serving. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.