Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Instructions

For the Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Start by making the crust. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Use a fork and pastry cutter to combine the butter into the flour, oats, and brown sugar.
3. Firmly pack into an 8×8” pan and bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes until a light golden brown.

For the Filling:

1. Wash and dry raspberries. Combine with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
2. While the crust is baking, prepare the cheesecake layer. In a medium-size bowl, combine softened cream cheese, with vanilla extract, 1/4 C granulated sugar, and egg. Mix until well combined and creamy. Fold in dark chocolate chunks.

For the Streusel Topping:

1. Combine dry ingredients with butter and use a fork and pastry cutter to combine the butter into the flour, oats, and brown sugar.
2. When the crust is finished baking, pour the cheesecake layer onto of warm crust, spread evenly. Sprinkle with raspberry. Pour streusel layer on top of cheesecake layer.
3. Return cheesecake bars to the oven and bake at 350° for another 25-30 minutes until the center is firm.

For the Ganache:

1. Once removed from the oven, prepare ganache by microwaving dark chocolate chips and heavy cream in 30-second increments until chocolate is melted. Stir until smooth and drizzle over bars.
2. Allow bars to cool for at least an hour. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours. I chilled mine overnight.