Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Austrian Cream Cheese Bars

This recipe came from a Pillsbury bake-off. I'm not sure if it was a winner or a finalist, but this is one of my favorites. I made two batches and took them to our ward Christmas party. I sprinkled green and red sugar on top of them for a festive touch. I cut them into small squares so it would feed more people and I taste-tested one of them before we left. I didn't have any dessert there, but was in the mood for these when I got back home. Luckily for my hips, I didn't save any and there were none leftover at the party. I love the combination of chocolate and cinnamon. You bite into the thin chocolate shell, into the cool, creamy layer and then the cinnamony crust. Mmmmm!

The only thing that is a big tricky is the chocolate chip shell that you spread on top. If you leave the pan in the refrigerator too long and then try to cut them into bars, the chocolate has become hard and will break and crack on top. It still tastes good, but doesn't look too pretty. So let the chocolate set a little so it's not melty, but not too hard yet. Then cut them into bars and return them to the refrigerator.
Austrian Cream Cheese Bars

Crust:
1 ½ c. flour
½ t. cinnamon
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2/3 c. margarine, softened
Topping:
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
¾ c. sugar
6 oz. (1 c.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 T. flour
Glaze:
6 oz. (1 c.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ -3/4 c. chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 350ยบ. In large bowl, combine all crust ingredients. Beat at medium speed about 2 minutes or until crumbly and well blended. Press mixture into ungreased 9x13-inch pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven.

In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and eggs at medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1 c. chocolate chips. Pour over partially baked crust. Bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until topping is almost set. Remove from oven; immediately sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips over top. Return to oven for 1 minute to melt chips. Gently spread melted chips over top. Sprinkle with nuts; lightly press into glaze. Refrigerate 1 hour. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

9 comments:

  1. I am FOR SURE going to print this one off!
    Whoo-hoo! Thanks for the recipe! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love bars....and these look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Valerie, after going to my 2nd cookie exchange party, I was pretty sure I would never want to eat any more sweets! BUT after seeing this recipe I might have to change my mind! HA-HA!
    After all my "save my hips" theory is IF I give half the goodies away......Then that get's rid of any calories in the remaning goodies!? This wishful theory has yet to be proven....but what needs to be said to make my holiday hippy....er I mean HAPPY!
    Thanks for stopping off to say hi @Rosycheeks!
    Rosie T

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mmmmm, Valerie, you did an excellent job describing these. I like cinnamon and chocolate together.

    I hope you have a blessed and joyful holiday!
    ~ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooh, that does look and sound good! I have a more recent love of cinnamon and chocolate.

    Have a wonderful Christmas, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for your kind words and Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can feel myself getting "tubbier" as I drool over your photo = P

    Thank you for thoughtful insight and letting me share n your adventures through blogging. It has been MY pleasure.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours and may the light of Christ dwell in your heart and home.

    May

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love a lot of the Pillsbury bake off recipes. This one looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete