Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars are super creamy and delicious, yet so quick and easy to make. But, watch out, they’ll disappear in a flash!

​I Love CheeseCake

Yes, I love a good cheesecake recipe. I especially love a classic cheesecake that I can cover with fresh berries and whipped cream. So good!

The problem I have with making a cheesecake? Cracks!

I use a springform pan, I use just the right oven temperature, I hold my breath and then the top cracks. Ugh!

Over-mixing the cheesecake batter (i.e., adding too much air) and/or over-baking are definitely reasons why this occurs. Cheesecake baking is definitely a “sweet” science I’m looking to perfect!

As such, I was looking for a cheesecake recipe that would be a bit more forgiving. That’s when I came up with this chocolate swirl cheesecake bars recipe.

Making the Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars

While I do love a traditional cheesecake, I wanted something a little extra for these bars. That’s where I thought chocolate would be good.

I could have done a chocolate cookie crust (like an Oreo cookie crust to bring in the chocolate flavor because, Oreo cookies – yum!). I could have also just put large spoonfuls of Nutella on top of the cheesecake. Both solid choices.

But instead, I went with a kind of hybrid chocolate cheesecake batter that incorporates melted chocolate chips. So, the cheesecake filling is a combination of traditional cheesecake batter and chocolate. Think of it kind of like a chocolate marble cheesecake.

The chocolate hardens as it cools and becomes like candy surrounded by cheesecake. So, you get creamy cheesecake bars with crunchy chocolate throughout. That should excite you!

Pulling It All Together

These swirls bars start with an easy graham cracker crust which is a combination of crushed graham crackers, sugar and butter (you want a buttery crust!). The mixture gets pressed into a prepared square pan and baked for a short time. I use an 8×8 square pan to make sure the bars are the right thickness.

While the crust is baking, you make a simple cheesecake batter. After the crust finishes baking, pour the batter into the baking dish. There is no need to wait for a cooled crust.

The final step before baking is to add dollops of melted chocolate on top of the batter. For best results, swirl the chocolate in with a knife to give it a marble effect. The bars then go into the oven to bake until the cheesecake is set.

The result is a creamy cheesecake over a crunchy graham cracker crust. But, what really puts these bars over the top, is the chocolate swirled into the cheesecake.

It’s an awesome combination of cheesecake and a chocolate bar all swirled into one delicious dessert. Truly a treat for your taste buds.

And the best part? No cracks!

Make Ahead and Freeze

While these bars rarely last long, you may, from time to time, want to make them ahead and freeze. This recipe really works well for that.

Simply make the bars and let them cool to room temperature. You have a couple of freezing options.

You can cover the entire cheesecake pan with plastic wrap or heavy-duty aluminum foil and put in the freezer. Or, you can cut into squares, put into an airtight container and put into the freezer. I often do this so I don’t have to worry about having time to cut the bars before serving.

You can give them time to thaw before serving. (Note: If you cut them into small cheesecake bites, you can serve them frozen. It’s like a cheesecake popsicle!).

These should be good in the freezer for up to three months.

These Cheesecake Bars are a Serious Crowd Pleaser

These easy chocolate swirl cheesecake bars are just what you need if you’re looking to wow a crowd. The first time I made these chocolate cheesecake bars for a family get-together, the entire pan disappeared in a matter of minutes. I’m not kidding! Just gone.

I’ve since made them for other events and the same thing happens. I think it’s because it’s like you’re eating candy and cheesecake at the same time. It’s perfect for people who love cheesecakes, love candy, or love both!

The best part? They are seriously easy to make and work any time of year. These definitely should be on your short list to make.

Enjoy!

Ingredients Needed to Make Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Full instructions can be found below in the printable recipe card

• Graham crackers – I used regular graham crackers that I crushed in the food processor. If you can find them at your grocery store, pre-crushed graham crackers will make this crust even easier.
• Butter – Any butter or margarine that you have on hand works in this recipe.
• Cream cheese – I used regular cream cheese this time, but I’ve also tested this recipe with light cream cheese (and they both work). Make sure to use the cream cheese bricks, rather than a tub of cream cheese. Since I haven’t tested this with fat-free cream cheese, I wouldn’t recommend it.
• Sugar – Regular granulated sugar.
• Eggs – The recipe has been tested with large eggs.
• Vanilla extract – I highly recommend pure vanilla extract rather than imitation. The flavor is so much better.
• Flour – All-purpose flour works great in this recipe.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – If you prefer, you can use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips instead.

How to Make Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat an 8×8 pan with cooking spray.
• Crush graham crackers in a food processor or blender.
• Add sugar and butter and mix until well-combined.
• Place mixture in prepared pan.
• Press mixture into the bottom of the pan and up the sides with your fingers, until it forms a crust.
• Bake crust in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat cream cheese with a mixer until creamy.
• Add sugar and beat until well-combined.
• Beat in egg and vanilla.
• Beat in flour until well-combined.
• Pour batter into pan over crust.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, melt chocolate chips in the microwave 15-30 seconds at a time, stirring well each time, until completely melted.
• Dollop chocolate over the batter with a spoon.
• With the tip of a knife, swirl the chocolate into the batter.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until cheesecake is set.
• Remove from oven and cool completely on the counter.
• Refrigerate until chilled.
• Cut into squares and serve.

More Easy Dessert Bar Recipes:

• Easiest Lemon Bars
• Muddy Buddy Bars
• Salted Nut Roll Bars
• Triple Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars