Description
Decadent and rich Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Bars featuring a chocolate cookie crumb crust, creamy cherry-studded cheesecake filling, and a luscious balance of chocolate and cherry flavors. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a delightful dessert bar with the classic combination of chocolate and cherries.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cherry pie filling (plus more for topping if desired)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. In a small bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter thoroughly. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to create the crust.
- Mix the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth batter. Next, mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until well incorporated.
- Add Cherry Filling and Chocolate: Gently fold in the cherry pie filling and the semi-sweet chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the batter without overmixing.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust in the pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours to set properly before slicing.
- Serve: For an extra touch, spread additional cherry pie filling on top before serving, if desired. Slice into 9 bars and enjoy!
Notes
- For a crunchier crust, bake the crust alone for 8 minutes before adding the cheesecake filling.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with fresh or frozen cherries cooked down with sugar as an alternative.
- Bars are best chilled overnight for cleaner, neater slices.
