Mudslide Cheesecake Bars Are A Dream Come True

There are many different types of dessert recipes that we may enjoy but one that tends to be a favorite among most people is cheesecake. In fact, it is perhaps the one meal that most of us will not pass up when we see it on a restaurant menu. We may even make it at home on occasion but it tends to disappear rather quickly, almost as if it evaporates.

If you’re somebody that enjoys cheesecake, you owe it to yourself to try these cheesecake mudslide bars. Cheesecake has the unique ability to take on the flavor of anything that is added to it and to improve that flavor considerably. Make these bars as a family treat or perhaps surprise a friend with a dish of them for no reason at all. Just make sure you make extra because you are going to want some for yourself.

Ingredients:

30 Oreo cookies (3 cups crumbs)
¼ cup butter, melted
3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup Irish cream liqueur
8 oz semisweet chocolate chips (1 1/3 cups)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Heat oven to 325°F. Line 13×9-inch pan with foil, leaving 2 inches of overhang on each side for handles.

In food processor, crush cookies to fine crumbs. Transfer to medium bowl, and stir in 1/4 cup melted butter until combined. Press mixture firmly in bottom of pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until crust is just set.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until smooth. Add cornstarch and espresso powder; beat until combined. Reduce speed to low, and beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in vanilla and Irish cream liqueur until just combined. Spread mixture evenly over crust in pan.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cheesecake is set around edges but still jiggles slightly in center. Cool 1 hour on cooling rack. Refrigerate 2 hours to set.

Place chocolate chips in medium bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons butter just to boiling over high heat. Remove from heat; pour mixture over chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Cool 10 minutes; pour and spread chocolate mixture evenly over chilled cheesecake. Refrigerate 1 hour to set.

Use foil handles to carefully remove bars from pan. Cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.