CHOCOLATE-PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE BARS

Chocolate-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars image

I created this by taking my favorite cheesecake brownie recipe, which is about 40 years old, and kicking it up with pumpkin and spices. These will disappear fast, so consider doubling the recipe. -Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter, cubed
1-1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
CHEESECAKE BATTER:
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Steps:

In a microwave, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly., In a large bowl, dissolve coffee in water. Stir in the pumpkin, eggs and chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray., For cheesecake batter, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Beat in the sugar, vanilla and spices. Add egg; beat on low speed just until combined. Spoon over chocolate batter. Cut through batter with a knife to swirl the cheesecake portion. Sprinkle with chocolate chips., Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 197 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 157mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges