Mint Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake Bars

Special equipment

9- by 13- inch baking dish

Ingredients

serves Serves 12, active time 20 minutes, total time 1 hour and 40 minutes

• 7 ounces chocolate graham crackers, finely crushed
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 ounces sour cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 to 2 drops green gel food coloring (optional)
• 12 ounces chocolate chunks

Procedures

1. Move oven rack to the center position and preheat oven to 350°F.
   
2. In a large bowl pour melted butter over chocolate graham crumbs. Toss to coat. Press the crumbs into the bottom of glass dish.
   
3. Bake crust for 10 minutes or until crust is set. Remove crust from oven and let cool while you prepare the filling.
   
4. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla and mint extract. Beat until combined then add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides and beating until fully incorporated. Beat in food coloring until uniformly distributed. Fold in chocolate chunks then pour batter over cooled crust, use a spatula to spread it out evenly in the pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until filling is set. Remove from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes then refrigerate until serving. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.