Chocolate Crumb Cheesecake Bars & Giveaway Winner!

I made these Chocolate Crumb Cheesecake Bars a lonnnng time ago. After I took photos of them, I made a new post, pasted the photos on it, saved it, and then just decided not to publish it. I guess I was hesitant to blog about them because they tasted just okay, and I wasn't crazy about the photos. I think the "bland" chocolate treats I've made have not excited me because of the use of milk chocolate. [Side note: I should start using more semi-sweet chocolate from now on (I'm not a fan of bittersweet). I will just eat the milk chocolate bars as a treat on their own haha....or just combine it with bittersweet to make my own semi-sweet ;).]

However, I changed my mind and decided to post it because I don't have any other photos to post right now; I wanted to post the giveaway winner; and I wanted to give you all an update on the paper I had to turn in that determined whether I could move forward with my PhD or not.

I have posted the winner of the giveaway below so that the winner and these bars will be the last things on your mind hah! I will tell you about the paper now.

I did not fail. However, I do have to make some revisions on my statistics and research design. So, once I make the necessary revisions, I will be able to turn in my dissertation proposal at the same time since they will be the same topic. So, I'm very happy with the result. I really don't mind making revisions since I would have had to do it with the dissertation proposal anyway. I will be basically killing two birds with one stone. (Such a violent saying, isn't it? Where's PETA?). Anyway, I was crying happy tears like crazy as I hugged my professors. I'm very thankful and pleased with the ultimate decision. It is nice to know that my 9-year-old dream of earning a PhD still has a chance to be realized. I was also pleased to find out how much the faculty appreciates me. I really didn't know they thought of me so positively.

Back to the bars! The original recipe does not have chocolate in it. Also, nuts are supposed to be in the crust, but I subbed in chocolate chips b/c of my dislike of nuts. I can see many variations that could be done with this recipe, so go wild!! The filling was very creamy, and these bars were pretty easy and quick to make. I'm certain these would taste better with a more intense chocolate like semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate.

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

9

Timestamp: 2010-04-02 05:46:44 UTC

The Random Integer Generator was used to determine the winners so congratulations to:

#9 Corrina

"Happy Blogiversary!
Congratulations on sticking to it. I just found your site through tastespotting, as I was looking for inspiration for this Sunday's brunch. These danishes look wonderful! I look forward to exploring your blog further.

1. I would enjoy any of those cookbooks, but the Portuguese one jumped out at me first.
I already own Lidia's Italy, and use it often. Her fennel & orange salad was a hit at Christmas dinner.

2. I love making soups, but have never gotten around to making pho, which is one of my favorites to order when I go out. Hopefully, it will be on both our blogs one day! :)

3. I am fluent in English and Spanish. I also have basic knowledge of German and French, but wish these were stronger."

The winner has been contacted, and I will send her the new cookbook, The Food of Portugal, in the next few days. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Chocolate Crumb Cheesecake Bars
adapted by Land O' Lakes Pecan Cheesecake Bars

CRUMB MIXTURE:

1 cup AP Flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup (5 1/3 Tbsp) butter, softened
1/2 cup chopped pecans or chocolate chops

FILLING:

1 (8-ounce) pkg cream cheese, softened
3-4 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped and melted (microwave or bain marie)
1 tsp espresso or coffee granules
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, brown sugar and butter in large bowl. Beat at low speed until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans or chocolate chips. Reserve 3/4 cup crumb mixture; set aside.

Press remaining crumb mixture onto bottom of ungreased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and melted chocolate in mixer bowl for 4 minutes. Next, add in the rest of the filling ingredients. Beat at low speed until well mixed. Spread filling over hot, partially baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture; press lightly into filling.

Continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes or until filling is set. Cool completely or refrigerate (latter option for photo purposes) before cutting into bars. Store refrigerated.