Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CHEESECAKE BARS

Category: Cheesecake

1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup cold butter
1 (8-oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Green or red food coloring (optional)
Chocolate Glaze (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda; cut in butter until crumbly (mixture will be dry). Press firmly on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake 15 minutes.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs, extract and food coloring (optional); mix well. Pour over prepared crust. Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool. Drizzle with Chocolate Glaze. Chill. Cut into bars. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Chocolate Glaze: In small saucepan, over low hear, melt 2 (1 oz) squares semi-sweet chocolate with 2 tbsp butter; stir until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Immediately drizzle over bars. (Makes about 1/4 cup).