Description
Black forest cheesecake bars combine rich chocolate, tart cherries, and creamy cheesecake in a delightful German-inspired dessert. Chocolate cookie crust and whipped cream complete this indulgent sweet treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) Oreo crumbs (about 36 Oreos)
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 12 ounces (340 grams) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 0.75 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream, room temperature
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, room temperature
- 0.25 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 (18 ounces/510 grams) can cherry pie filling
- 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (or 3 tbsps all-purpose flour)
- 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, chilled
- 6 tbsps powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Crust Creation: Pulverize Oreo cookies with melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly into a foil-lined pan, then toast in a 350°F oven until set and golden.
- Chocolate Preparation: Melt chocolate using a double boiler, allowing it to cool while maintaining a glossy consistency.
- Filling Fusion: Whip cream cheese until velvety, blending in sugars, cocoa powder, and cornstarch to create a rich base, then seamlessly incorporate sour cream, heavy cream, and vanilla.
- Chocolate Integration: Stream cooled melted chocolate into the cream cheese mixture, gently fold in eggs with minimal mixing to preserve silky texture.
- Baking Brilliance: Pour the chocolate-infused batter over the prepared crust, spreading evenly, and bake at 325°F for 45-50 minutes until edges firm and center slightly wobbles.
- Cooling and Setting: Allow cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set and intensify flavors.
- Finishing Touch: Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form, slice chilled cheesecake into bars, and garnish with whipped cream, cherry pie filling, and chocolate shavings.
Notes
- Strategic Cookie Crushing: Use a food processor or rolling pin to create fine, even crumbs for a compact, stable crust that won’t crumble when slicing.
- Chocolate Melting Mastery: Cool melted chocolate to room temperature before adding to prevent scrambling the cream cheese mixture and ensure a silky smooth texture.
- Egg Incorporation Technique: Gently fold eggs into the batter with minimal mixing to maintain the cheesecake’s luxurious, creamy consistency and prevent potential cracking.
- Chilling Critical: Refrigerate bars for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and achieve the perfect set, ensuring clean, precise cuts and optimal taste development.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 263 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg