Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake Bars

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

Are you one of those people who, like me, had thought that cheesecake and chocolate are not possible together?

Well, then I have something to tell you.

Something very important.

Something enlightening!

Dear friends, cheesecake and chocolate ARE possible to exist together.

SO possible.

Beyond possible!

Finger-licking possible!

Let me show you…

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

These are our lovely ingredients.
chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

1. First, place the first three ingredients in the bowl of your electric mixer…

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

2. …and beat them at medium-low speed until combined.

Then increase the speed to medium, and beat until well blended and crumbly.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

3. Pat the mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch (33 x 22 cm) pan.

A good trick is to use the bottom part of a measuring cup or a glass to do that.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

4. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and bake for 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

This is a lovely, delicious and easy substitute for crushed wafers that are often used in cheesecake recipes.

Cool, huh?

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, cheesecake filling

5. Now, let’s make the cheesecake filling.

Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of your electric mixer and beat at medium speed until creamy.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, add the eggs

6. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition.

7. Finally, add the sour cream, vanilla, and one cup of the chocolate chunks.

Beat just until blended.

Of course, you can use chocolate chips instead of the chunks.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust

8. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, using a spoon or an offset spatula, even out the surface

9. And using a spoon or an offset spatula, even out the surface.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, bake

10. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 25 minutes or until set.

 

11. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, melt the rest of your chocolate chunks

12. Then melt the rest of your chocolate chunks.

Microwave oven will work just fine.

(Oh, and use microwave friendly dishes, please. The one in the picture hadn’t gone to the microwave oven. If it had, things would have gotten sparkly… I guess. Don’t ask me how I know. Please.)

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, stir the melted chocolate until smooth, then drizzle the chocolate over the cheesecake

13. Stir the melted chocolate until smooth. Then drizzle the chocolate over the cheesecake.

 

14. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Then cut into bars.

Also, I’ve found out that it’s fine to reheat the bars in the microwave oven for a little while before serving. That way the chocolate will melt slightly making the whole eating experience even more divine.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

Enjoy, dear friends.

 

(This lovely recipe was adapted from here. The recipe makes about 14 3×1.5-inch (8 x 4 cm) bars. The recipe takes about 1 hour to prepare and about 4 hours to chill. And the whole thing takes about 10 minutes to eat. Funny but true.)

Mushroom Ragout on Garlic Toast

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

I’ve found a gorgeous recipe!

I may also have found my favorite chef.
The recipe took me into the world of delicious mushrooms which are cooked in a creamy thyme sauce.

Yum!

As if not head-spinning enough already, it’s all served over a fragrant and scrumptious garlic toast.

I really loved being in that world.
The moment I saw the original recipe presented by John Mitzewich it became completely clear to me that I had to have that thing in my life.

And would you like to know what that lovely chef said about this recipe? Well, he said the following: “If you make this, people will think you can cook.”

Awesome, ha?

And now I completely understand what this cute and helpful guy was talking about…

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

These are our ingredients.
mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

1. To make your own mushroom ragout, first slice the mushrooms.

I am using white button mushrooms (Champignons) for this recipe.
mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

2. In a large, large (large!) pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

If you want to go super yummy, you can use 1 tablespoon of melted butter instead of the oil.

 

3. Place the mushrooms in the pan – just pile them up, they will fit.

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

4. Then add the salt and pepper, stir and sauté the mushrooms until brown.

This should take about 15 minutes.

Your mushrooms will cook down substantially.

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

Okay, the next step involves wine.

And this is what happens when I see wine around me.

It seems that my hands start to tremble with joy.

Or maybe it’s not joy.

Anyhow, cheers!

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

5. When the mushrooms are nicely sautéed, slice the garlic, throw it in and sauté for about 30 second.

 

6. Add the wine and let cook for another 30 seconds.

 

7. Then pour in the chicken stock, cream and add the thyme.

Stir and let cook for about 3 more minutes. Our ragout will slowly start to thicken up.

Then taste and add more salt if needed.

 

 

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

8. And since it’s done now, remove the pan from heat.
mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

Oh, my!

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

9. Now we can get our garlic toasts ready.

This couldn’t be easier.

Just toast a slice of bread in the toaster and rub it with a clove of raw garlic.

And you have a quick instant garlic toast.

This is a very nice trick.

mushroom ragout on garlic toast recipe with step by step pictures

10. Finally, spoon the ragout over your freshly made garlic toast.

And enjoy!

 

This yummy treat can be also served in other delicious ways – with a salad or over a piece of chicken or steak.

Mmm!

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