Mint Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• Bottom:
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 8 Tablespoons butter, melted, but at room temperature (1 stick)
• 1 box (18.25 ounces) chocolate devil's food cake mix
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• .
• Topping:
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 heaping Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup mint-flavored chocolate chips

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan with foil.

For the Bottom:
Cream 4 ounces of cream cheese, 1 egg and butter together on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Blend in cake mix by hand until combined. It will be very thick, but piable like a soft dough. Using a spatula, press evenly into the bottom of the foiled pan. Evenly sprinkle on chocolate chips and press lightly into the batter with a spatula, but don't bury them.

For the Topping:
Place cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Begin mixing on low speed until sugar and cocoa are incorporated. Increase to medium speed and beat until smooth, at least 3 minutes or longer if need be. Spread evenly over bottom layer. Sprinkle on mint chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes. Cool completely. Carefully remove from pan, peel off foil, and cut into squares to serve.

Yield: 24 to 36 bar cookies, depending on cut size

Peggy's Note:
If you cannot find mint-flavored chocolate chips, substitute any other flavor or plain chips. Feel free to experiment using other flavored cake mixes.