Marbled Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Batter

• 2 ounces (1/2 baking bar) bittersweet chocolate, broken into 1 inch pieces
• 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

Instructions

Crust

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Combine flour, pecans, butter and brown sugar; mix well.
3. Press mixture onto the bottom of an ungreased 8 or 9 inch square baking pan.
4. Bake for 15 to 16 minutes, or until light golden brown.
5. Let cool while preparing batter.

Batter

1. Melt chocolate in a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir chocolate occasionally until smooth; set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, granulated sugar and vanilla extract until well blended.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Remove 1 cup batter and reserve.
5. Add melted chocolate to the mixing bowl and combine.
6. Spoon chocolate batter over the crust.
7. Pour the 1 cup of reserved plain batter over the chocolate batter.
8. Using the blade of a butter knife, swirl the batter to create a marbled effect.
9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until center is set.
10. Place the pan on a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
11. Cover, and transfer the pan to the refrigerator to chill, approximately 3 hours.
12. Store covered in the refrigerator.