Mar292010

Layered Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Layered Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

I think I’ve found the most decadent chocolate dessert ever. Over a lazy weekend last fall I was doing a search over at Food Network and this was on the front page. On a whim I decided to give it a shot because wow, that’s a lot of chocolate and I needed to try it!

So they were originally called Chocolate Cheesecake Candy Cane Bars. But here’s the thing: I’m not terribly crazy about hard candy — and especially candy canes — crunched up on top of softer desserts. I like them on their own if I’m in the mood, but otherwise no, leave my desserts alone!

So I substituted chopped walnuts instead and I can’t imagine these with anything else. I really don’t think the candy cane would have worked as well unless you added a touch of peppermint extract to the top layer, but honestly even that I think would be overdoing it.

I think I’d also add just a touch more melted butter to the crushed Oreo crust because it crumbled more than I’d like after it was baked.

My two nine-year-olds helped me with the pictures (as you can imagine, it was nearly a fight to the death over who would get to take which shots, but as you can see it all worked out in the end. 🙂 ) Read More