Black-Bottom Cheesecake Bars

“Black-Bottom Cheesecake Bars” has been sponsored by Ankarsrum Original USA but all photos, thoughts and opinions are my own.

Over the years my sweet-tooth had diminished a lot. Now I find myself attracted to more savory foods like Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, Inside out Grilled Cheese, Iowa Pork Tenderloin sandwiches with Tangy Apple Slaw, just to name a few. But there is one dessert that gets me every time. Cheesecake. I just can’t resist it’s creamy deliciousness.

So when I saw the newest Cook the Book with Denise and Jenni featured cheesecakes from Melanie Underwood’s book Making Artisan Cheesecake, I knew I couldn’t miss it. (You can watch the replay here.)

Every cheesecake they made on the show looked amazing! But as soon as I saw the Black-Bottom Cheesecake bars I knew I had to make them. AND it was a perfect recipe to test out my new Ankarsrum Original mixer! I just received it the day before and it was sitting on my counter begging to be used.

This recipe calls for a batch of freshly-made whipped cream; half goes into the vanilla cheesecake layer and half goes on as a top layer. The double beater, a standard option with the Ankarsrum Original, made quick work of the whipped cream. Actually, it worked a little bit too well! I wasn’t watching closely and I over beat the cream. Lesson learned, don’t walk away from the mixer when making whipped cream.

Black-Bottom Cheesecake Bars takes a bit more time to make than a standard bar recipe, but it is so worth the extra effort. All the steps are are fairly simple and explained in detail, so even the most inexperienced person can make them.

NOTE: Be sure to read through the recipe carefully first so you don’t make a silly mistake like I did. I actually added 1/2 of the whipped cream to the chocolate layer, oops!

Black-Bottom Cheesecake Bars

First off, make the cookie crust so that it will be completely cool when you add the layers. I used a 14.3 oz package of regular Oreo cookies with a stick of melted, unsalted butter, and I didn’t add the sugar since Oreos are very sweet on their own. Place the cookie crumb mix into a 9X13 pan and, using your palm or the bottom of a glass, press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until slightly firm. Set aside and allow to cool.

Once the crust is finished and cooling, start making the custard layer.

First off, you create the gelatin by mixing 1/4 cup milk in with 2 small packets of the gelatin powder and set it aside. This will turn to a rubbery, semi-hard concoction, but it’s supposed to look like that, so don’t be alarmed. My daughter thought it was ruined when she handed me the bowl.

You can make the custard one of two ways. Add the milk, 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and eggs all together in a saucepan then place onto the heat, mixing thoroughly until thickened.

Or, you can boil the milk and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan. In a separate bowl mix the eggs, 1/4 cup of sugar and the cornstarch together completely, and then temper the egg mixture by slowly whisking half of the hot milk mixture into the bowl, stirring well, then add that back into the saucepan of hot milk. This ensures you do not end up with scrambled eggs in your cheesecake, yuck! Either way works fine, I followed the recipe and tempered the egg mixture.

TIP: be sure the cornstarch is completely dissolved before you put it on the heat or it will get clumpy.

Once the custard has finished cooking, remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese and vanilla until it has combined completely.

 

Next, add the gelatin mixture to the pan of vanilla custard and whisk until combined. Let it cool while you make the whipped cream.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, with the whip attachment, combine the heavy cream and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and beat on medium high until stiff peaks form.

Divide the whipped cream in half, add one half to the cooled vanilla mixture.

When completely combined and cooled, pour the vanilla mixture on top of the chocolate layer. Spread to the edges of the pan and smooth the top.

Then, top the vanilla layer with the remaining whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings or more crushed Oreos. (My girls actually added crushed Oreos to the top of theirs.)

I refrigerated the Black-Bottom Cheesecake Bars overnight. The next morning I wanted to catch the gorgeous sunlight in my kitchen to take photos, so I cut into that baby and WOW! It is incredible! Even my daughter who doesn’t like cheesecake loved it. It’s a rich, creamy dessert bar, but not overly sweet like some cheesecake can be. This recipe will definitely make it into our treat rotation!

 

Don’t you just LOVE my new Ankarsrum Original Mixer? Here are the details in case you want to check it out. I’m totally in love with it!

The Ankarsrum Original Kitchen Machine (formerly known as Verona, Magic Mill, Electrolux Assistent, DLX), a favorite mixer of Swedish cooks since 1940, is now available for North American homeowners. Fashioned from sturdy chrome and steel, this 600 watt professional quality kitchen tool is a durable all-purpose mixer that produces superior baking results. A variety of optional attachments transforms the Ankarsrum Original into a complete kitchen center, eliminating the need for a separate food processor, meat grinder, or slicer. The Ankarsrum Original offers professional functionality and versatility in one convenient counter top tool.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Ankarsrum Original!