The Ultimate Chocolate Bar

The name says it all for these dessert bars that have a chocolate crust layered with vanilla cheesecake filling and topped with swirls of melted marshmallow and chocolate icing.

Recipe Ingredients:

Crust:
1/2 cup butter
3 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1/4 cups butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup butter
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
3 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons milk
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Directions:

1. For Crust: Melt butter and chocolate in 2 quart sauce pan over low heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread into greased 13x9x2 inch pan.
2. For Filling: Combine cream cheese, butter and sugar, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well-blended. Add egg; mix well. Blend in vanilla. Spread over crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
3. For Frosting: Melt butter, cream cheese, chocolate and milk in 2 quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Sprinkle marshmallows over bars. Return to oven 2 minutes or until marshmallows are soft to touch. Immediately pour chocolate mixture over marshmallows. Swirl together. Chill until firm.

Makes 24 bars.

Recipe provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.