Brownie Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

Brownies

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cheesecake Layer

• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 eggs

Chocolate Top

• 3 1/2 ounces chocolate, grated or chips

Directions

Brownie Layer

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a deep dish 9x13 inch pan with aluminum foil and cut the foil large enough to come up the sides, butter the foil.
3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat, then stir in cocoa.
4. Remove from heat and beat in the sugar and vanilla then mix in eggs one at a time.
5. Stir in remaining ingredients.
6. Place into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until top is shiny and center is At this point it is only partially done.

Cheesecake Layer

1. While the brownie bottom is baking for the first 15 minutes make the cheesecake layer.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well blended. Add in the sour cream and mix well.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each egg to mix well.
4. Remove the brownies at the 15 minute mark in baking time, then pour the cheesecake layer over the partially cooked brownie batter in pan.
5. Put back into the oven and bake another 40 minutes or until center of cheesecake part is almost set.
6. Remove from the oven to a cooling rack.
7. Run knife/spatula around edge to loosen cake.
8. After cooling, refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Chocolate Topping

1. To melt chocolate, place chocolate chips or grated chocolate into the top of a double boiler, and melt over low heat.
2. Pour chocolate and spread onto the top evenly.
3. Let set in fridge for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from pan using the foil to lift it out.
5. Dip a knife into hot water to cut into pieces.