Creamy Choco-Pumpkin Bars
These little beauties are the perfect blend of comfort and sophistication. They combine the soothing effects of cream cheese, graham crackers, and chocolate with Bourbon, Chinese Five Spice, and ultra creamy Creme Fraiche. Oh yes...and pumpkin! The result is a decedent treat to satisfy the young and old. The bourbon and five spice deliver depth a distinguished palette can appreciate, but THAT won't stop the ankle-biters from gobbling them down, so set some aside.
Total Steps
7
Ingredients
14
Tools Needed
9
Related Article
http://www.howsweeteats.com/2009/09/20/lobster-mac/Ingredients
- 2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
- 8 ounce cream cheese
- 7 ounce Crème Fraiche
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder (or pumpkin pie spice)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon Bourbon
- 2 eggs
- 1 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Step 1
<a href="/H3S4YV46">Preheat </a>the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a large 10x15 inch pan with foil.
Step 2
<a href="/7S3QCKWK">Mix </a>the graham cracker crumbs with the sugar, <a href="/DPSVTKVY">salt,</a> and <a href="/LWS4TC42">melted butter.</a> <a href="/4NXSJQ3D">Press </a>the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
Step 3
<a href="/3CYMY2D7">Beat </a>the <a href="/R3P5MM3Z">cream </a>cheese, Crème Fraiche and sugar together until smooth. Add the pumpkin, flour, five spice, <a href="/DPSVTKVY">salt,</a> bourbon and eggs. <a href="/S6W4FR7F">Blend </a>until smooth. <a href="/8M4FMXQ6">Fold </a>in the chocolate chips, reserving a handful for the <a href="/R34ZSY3M">top.</a>
Step 4
Pour the mixture on <a href="/R34ZSY3M">top </a>of the graham cracker crust. Smooth out with a spatula. Sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips on <a href="/R34ZSY3M">top.</a> Smack the pan on the counter a couple times to smooth everything out.
Step 5
<a href="/RNT367Z2">Bake </a>for 35-40 minutes—until the center is almost set, but still jiggles a little.
Step 6
<a href="/GZFHJC5K">Cool </a>on a rack for one hour, then <a href="/ZSSVQ6FG">refrigerate </a>another hour before <a href="/XZBDDD5G">cutting.</a> To <a href="/Y6MVNCHX">serve:</a> pull the foil up on the sides and lift the whole pan of pumpkin bars out of the <a href="/RNT367Z2">baking </a><a href="/QQVZX64Y">dish.</a> <a href="/RSDQ7YW8">Peel </a>the foil off the sides carefully, then <a href="/3JDX2Q84">slice </a>into desired size. Wipe the knife with a paper towel occasionally to keep the sides smooth. Makes 32 regular-sized bars.
Step 7
<a href="/ZSSVQ6FG">Refrigerate </a>until ready to <a href="/Y6MVNCHX">serve!</a>