Description
Silky chocolate no bake cheesecake bars melt smoothly between creamy layers of graham cracker crust and rich chocolate filling. Cool summer desserts never tasted more delightful when chilled and sliced for quick sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) chocolate cookie crumbs (e.g., Oreo crumbs)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
Chocolate and Sugar Components:
- ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (85 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnishes:
- Whipped cream
- Shaved chocolate
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Create a sturdy foundation by lining a square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring excess paper hangs over the edges for effortless removal. Combine cookie crumbs with melted butter, mixing thoroughly until the mixture resembles damp sand.
- Press the crumb mixture compactly into the pan’s base, creating an even, dense layer. Slide the pan into the refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until velvety smooth. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture achieves a luxurious, silky consistency.
- Gently fold whipped cream into the chocolate cream cheese base, maintaining the airy texture and ensuring complete integration of ingredients.
- Extract the chilled crust from the refrigerator and carefully spread the chocolate cheesecake filling across the surface, using a spatula to create a perfectly level top.
- For the optional ganache, warm heavy cream until steaming. Pour the hot cream over chocolate chips and allow to rest briefly before stirring until achieving a glossy, uniform texture.
- Cascade the ganache over the cheesecake layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Seal the pan and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing the dessert to set completely and develop rich, intense flavors.
- Once fully chilled, lift the dessert from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into precise squares and optionally embellish with a delicate garnish of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature to prevent lumps and create a smooth, creamy filling.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for a rich, intense chocolate flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground almond flour.
- Customize the ganache by experimenting with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate for varied flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg