These decadent cheesecake bars have a cocoa crust, a rich chocolate cheesecake filling, and a chocolate peppermint glaze on top. They're perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1cupsliced almondstoasted
4tbspunsalted buttermelted
1/4cupcocoa powder
3tbspflour
3tbspsugar
pinch of salt
For the Filling:
8ozsemisweet chocolatechopped
8ozcream cheeseat room temperature
2/3cupsugar
2extra large eggsat room temperature
1tspvanilla extract
For the Peppermint Chocolate Glaze:
4ozbittersweet chocolatechopped
2tbspunsalted buttermelted
1tsplight corn syrup
1/4tsppeppermint extractor to taste
2peppermint candy canes
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
To make the crust, pulse the almonds in a food processor to grind them up (be careful not to grind them into almond butter). Add the butter, cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse to combine (it will look crumbly). Press it out into the pan, and bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
For the cheesecake filling, melt the chocolate either in a double boiler or in the microwave (in 30 second intervals, stirring after each time). Set aside.
In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy, with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer. Add the eggs and vanilla, and beat to combine. Pour the chocolate in and mix until smooth. Pour the filling onto the cooled crust, and bake for 20-25 minutes. The edges should be slightly puffy, but it should be jiggly in the center. Chill the cheesecake in the fridge until the cheesecake has set.
To make the glaze, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Add the melted butter, corn syrup, and peppermint extract, and stir to combine.
Spread all over the cheesecake, and top with crushed candy cane. Chill in the refrigerator until set. Cut into bars and enjoy!