Cocoa Cheesecake Streusel Bars is a recipe based on one from Penzey’s Spices. At first I thought these were just another version of cream cheese brownies, but the bars are a little different.
Chocolate Shortbread Crust & Streusel
The base has a chocolate shortbread texture and the top is a crumbly and light streusel. As for the cream cheese filling, it’s a convenient cream cheese and condensed milk version which bakes up smooth and creamy. The bars are tasty and pretty sturdy so you can pack them and carry them somewhere if needed
Cocoa Cheesecake Streusel Bars
Cocoa Cheesecake Streusel Bars
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups flour 220 grams
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened natural style cocoa powder
- 1 cup 230 grams cold butter (if using unsalted, add 1/4 tsp salt to recipe)
- 8 oz cream cheese — softened
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts optional
- Some chocolate chips about 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Line a 13×9 inch pan with non-stick foil or parchment. If you prefer not to line the pan, that is fine.
- Combine flour, sugar, and cocoa in a large bowl and then cut in the butter until crumbly and rather dry. This can also be done in a food processor.
- Reserve 2 cups of the mixture for the topping, then press the remaining into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake crust for 15 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese until fluffy, then gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Add egg and vanilla. Pour cream cheese mixture over crust. If using nuts, combine with the 2 cups of reserved chocolate mixture. Sprinkle over cream cheese mixture. Bake 25 minutes until bubbly. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top as soon as you remove from oven. Chill thoroughly. Lift from pan by grasping foil or parchment, then cut into squares.
- Makes about 32 squares
- Note: You can halve the recipe and make it in an 8 inch square pan. Halve everything, use two tablespoons of egg and cut about 2 minutes of each cook-time listed.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Danielle
Just made these bars and they are delicious! Easy recipe yet stunning results!
K
I tried this recipe out and took them to a party and the guests loved them! I love your site! 🙂
Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy
Those chocolate chips look impossibly large! Yum!
carole
Thanks, Anna.
I have to bake something for Al’s company party next week. I have been looking for something simple and now I’ve found it.
Thanks again.
Anna
Thanks, Marmalade!
No wonder I couldn’t find it. I’ll go ahead and change the name and add the link in the text.
marmalade
Here is the link to the recipe on Penzey’s site. It is called Cocoa Streusel Cheesecake Bars.
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/recipes/r-penzeyscocoacheesecakebars.html?id=FzkY7zyw
Anna
Mary, thanks.
Cookie Monster, I didn’t see it on their site.
cookiemonster
Do you have a link to the original Penzey’s recipe?
Mary
I can’t wait to try those brownies! I have had your site featured on mine for several weeks. I love it!
Tracy
Yum. I have to put those on my to-try list. If you & Val both like it, it’s a sure thing. Plus I’ve had very good luck with Penzey’s recipes.
Sue
Mmmm! These look good. Different textures and tastes all in one.
Anna
Thanks again for sending. I am always looking for ways to use half a can of condensed milk and this is a good one.
Valerie
I halved the recipe too, but I spaced out and put a whole egg in there. oops. this recipe is obviously very forgiving because they turned out fine that way.