Recipe and Images Courtesy of FoodNetwork.com
Chocolate Cheesecake Candy Cane Bars
To set off the sweetness there’s an interesting additional ingredient: a touch of coffee in the crust. For best results, like other cheesecakes, these squares should be chilled overnight so they set completely and slice cleanly.
Ingredients:
[ezcol_1third]Crust:
20 chocolate wafer cookies
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely ground coffee beans
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Filling:
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs, at room temperature
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]Glaze:
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon light or dark corn syrup
2 tablespoons sour cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup crushed candy canes[/ezcol_1third_end]
Directions:
[ezcol_1third]For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch-squarebaking dish with foil.
Process the chocolate wafers in a food processor with the butter, sugar, coffee and salt until fine. Evenly press the crust into the prepared dish, covering the bottom completely. Bake until the crust sets, about 15 minutes.
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]For the filling: Meanwhile, heat the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl at 75% power until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir, and continue to heat until completely melted, up to 2 minutes more. (Alternatively, put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water, and stir occasionally until melted and smooth).
Blend the cream cheese, sugar and sour cream together in the food processor until smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed. Add the eggs and pulse until just incorporated. With the food processor running, pour the chocolate into the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
Pour the filling evenly over the crust. Bake until the filling puffs slightly around the edges but is still a bit wobbly in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a rack.
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]For the glaze: Put the chocolate, butter and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 75% power until melted, about 2 minutes. Stir the ingredients together until smooth; add the sour cream. Spread the glaze evenly over the warm cake and scatter the crushed candy canes over top. Cool completely, and then refrigerate overnight.
Cut into small bars or squares. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.[/ezcol_1third_end]
Tip:
To crush the candy canes, remove the wrappers and place in a resealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to roll over and break up the candy into small pieces, about 1/4 inch or so.
10 More Holiday Treats To Make With Candy Canes:
Candy canes are a sweet, minty emblem of the holiday season, and anything made with them just feels a little more festive. Here are 10 ways to put them to good use. From Minty Marshmallows to peppermint bark and even peppermint vodka you’ll wonder why you don’t have more candy canes on hand! Yum!
A Few More Fun Holiday Recipes that Even the Kids Can Make!
Kids Can Make Fruit and Nut Truffles: http://bit.ly/1vNS5W4 (More Kids Can Make It recipes here)
Pancake Breakfast Casserole: http://bit.ly/1BdXFpr (Other breakfast casserole recipes here)
Chocolate Dipped Pineapple Coconut Macaroons: http://bit.ly/1sZz7bq
Vegan Saffron Risotto: http://bit.ly/12ny7Hc
