Layered Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Bars

From MCCORMICK

Makes 24 bars

These cheesecake bars — with contrasting layers of green, white and black — get a hint of sophistication from rich dark chocolate and refreshing Pure Peppermint Extract.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (about 30 cookies)

1/3 cup butter, melted

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon MCCORMICK Pure Peppermint Extract

1/2 teaspoon MCCORMICK Green Food Color

3 eggs

2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted

DIRECTIONS

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press firmly onto bottom of foil-lined 9-inch square baking pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2.Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, until well blended. Add sour cream and peppermint extract; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour 1/2 of the batter over crust. Tint remaining batter green with food color. Pour over batter in pan.

3.Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack.

4.Refrigerate 4 hours, or overnight. Lift out of pan onto cutting board. Cut into bars. Drizzle bars with melted chocolate. Store leftover bars in refrigerator.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at mccormick.com