Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Photo: Taste of Home

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons baking cocoa

1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract

1 large egg, room temperature

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

Cheesecake Layer

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons Watkins Vanilla Extract

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Ganache

1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-in. pan with foil, letting ends extend up sides; grease foil. In a microwave, melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Stir in sugar, cocoa and vanilla. Add egg; blend well. Add flour, baking powder and salt; stir just until combined. Spread into a thin layer into prepared pan. Bake until top appears dry, 6-8 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in cooled chocolate chips. Add beaten eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Spread over brownie layer. Bake until filling is set, 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack.

For ganache, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla; cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour over cheesecake layer; cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Lifting with foil, remove brownies from pan. Cut into bars.

More info:  www.trustednaturalhomeproducts.com