Mint Chocolate Chip Bars (Printable Version)
Creamy mint cheesecake with chocolate cookie crust and mini chocolate chips, chilled to perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust
01 - 20 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos), crushed
02 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cheesecake Filling
03 - 16 oz cream cheese, softened
04 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/3 cup sour cream
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract
08 - 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
09 - Green food coloring (optional)
10 - 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
→ Garnish
11 - Additional mini chocolate chips
12 - Fresh mint leaves
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine crushed chocolate cookies and melted butter in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes, then set aside.
03 - Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Add sour cream, eggs, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and food coloring if using. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
04 - Fold in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
05 - Pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared crust and smooth the top. Bake for 30-32 minutes, or until the center is just set and still slightly jiggly. Do not overbake.
06 - Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully chilled.
07 - Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares. Garnish with extra mini chocolate chips and mint leaves, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture contrast between crisp chocolate crust and silky mint filling is absolutely worth the wait
- These bars are even better on day two when flavors have melded together overnight
02 -
- Overbaking causes cracks and dry edges, so remove from the oven when the center still jiggles slightly
- Cold ingredients create lumps, so everything must be at room temperature before mixing begins
03 -
- Run hot water over your knife between cuts for perfectly clean slices
- The optional food coloring is purely aesthetic the flavor remains the same without it