10 Days of Cookies - Day 5 - Candy Cane Cheesecake Bars

Last Wednesday was my annual Mother-Daughter baking day.   My mom, sister, niece, daughter and I got together for some Christmas Baking. This is by far one of my favorite days.  Obviously most of the baking is done by my mom, sister and I.  My niece is very helpful at adding the raisins to the butter tarts and well my little one just slept and looked cute.  Thanks to a great friend, she does her apron ready to go when she can help.

As always we started with our butter tarts but we also baked up three different bars.  It was a very busy day, starting at 11 and ending at 4.  All treats turned out very well. These bars were my sisters idea as she brought over a large tub of cream cheese so our natural choice was to make some cheesecake bars.  She also brought candy cane kisses so I decided to bring them together.   Apparently she doesn't "know" how to make cheesecake so this is what I came up with.

Candy Cane Kiss Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cup oreo crumbs
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 1/2  8 oz packages 
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 eggs + 1 egg yolk
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 25 candy cane kisses + extra for melting and drizzling

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Preheat oven to 350F.  Line a 9x13 pan with tinfoil, up all edges. 

2) Combine crumbs and butter in a medium bowl , until crumbs are well moistened.  Press down into pan.  Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.  

3) In your mixer bowl, beat with paddle the cream cheese until smooth.   Add granulated sugar and beat on medium until combined. 

4) Add eggs and yolk, one at a time, beating until each egg is almost combined.   Add in vanilla and sour cream and combine. 

5) Pour cheesecake filling over the crust.   Place the kisses in rows, with a kiss for each square. 

6) Bake at 400 for 10 minutes.  Reduce to 300 and bake for 25 minutes.  Turn off oven and let sit for 15-20 minutes. 

7) Melt the extra kisses and drizzle over the top.  Cut into squares. 

I think I am slowly starting to appreciate mint and chocolate together.  I did give most away to my sister but I did make sure to keep a few for myself and my party.    

MEG's RATING : D-EEEEE-LICOUS!