Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

It's October and my youngest son's birthday. He requested a roast beef dinner which is not surprising--all our kids like roast beef. I think it must be comfort food, and it's good! I didn't ask Max what he wanted for dessert, what if he said vanilla ice cream? I know he likes cheesecake, chocolate and pumpkin. I checked my Pinterest boards and found the perfect dessert. It is from Better Homes and Gardens. It was a hit, a perfect combination of favorite flavors

Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

1 1/4   cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4      cup sugar

1/3      cup butter

2         8 ounces packages cream cheese, softened 

1 3/4   cups sugar

3         eggs

1         cup canned pumpkin

1/2      teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2      teaspoon vanilla

1/4      teaspoon salt

6         ounces semisweet chocolate, cut up or 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

2         tablespoons butter

Combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/3 cup melted butter. Press mixture evenly in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl combine cream cheese and 1 3/4 cups sugar. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed until just combined. Beat in pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and salt. Remove 1 1/4 cups of the mixture.

Heat the chocolate and butter on low heat until melted. Whisk chocolate mixture into the 1 1/4 cups pumpkin mixture. Pour over crust, spread evenly and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.

Pour the remaining pumpkin mixture over the  baked chocolate layer, spread evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes more or until filling is puffed and center is set.

Cool for 3 hours. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

One year ago---Pumpkin Cheesecake and the Birthday Boy
Two years ago--Caramel Pumpkin Pie
Three years ago-Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes