Irresistibly Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake Squares: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Dessert
Do you remember the charm of Everyday Food? Martha Stewart’s delightful, digest-size magazines that were a treasure trove of accessible recipes and gorgeous food photography. These publications truly mastered the art of making delicious food feel attainable for home cooks. It was within those cherished pages that the original inspiration for this fantastic recipe for Chocolate Cheesecake Squares was found. These aren’t just any dessert bars; they are a perfect symphony of rich, creamy, and intensely chocolaty flavor, meticulously balanced to offer both decadence and delightful simplicity. They embody the best aspects of a classic cheesecake, but in an easier-to-manage square format, making them an ideal treat for any occasion.
This particular recipe has proven its enduring appeal over the years, becoming a consistent favorite. What sets it apart is its ingeniously lighter texture compared to many traditional cheesecake bars, achieved through a thoughtful combination of tangy sour cream and smooth cream cheese. This dynamic duo not only provides a pleasant lightness but also contributes to an incredibly creamy consistency that melts in your mouth. Furthermore, for those conscious of dietary choices, both reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream can be used without compromising the luxurious feel or the robust flavor. The dessert still delivers an undeniable, full-on chocolate experience, thanks to the generous inclusion of high-quality natural cocoa powder and a delightful scattering of chocolate chips that melt ever so slightly during baking, creating pockets of intense chocolate goodness.
The Perfect Oreo Crust: A Foundation of Flavor
No discussion of these decadent chocolate cheesecake squares would be complete without highlighting their absolutely irresistible crust. The foundation of this dessert is a simple yet brilliant combination of finely crushed Oreo cookies and rich melted butter. While the original recipe from Everyday Food called for Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers, a classic choice for many dessert crusts, swapping them for Oreos elevates this dessert to a new level. The iconic chocolatey flavor and slight bitterness of Oreos, combined with their creamy filling, create a crust that is arguably even better than the original, offering a deeper flavor profile and a more satisfying texture. Over the years, I’ve experimented with this crust, taking some liberties, most notably doubling the quantity to create a thicker, more substantial base that truly stands out. For those who prefer a more delicate crust, simply adjust the amount of Oreos and melted butter accordingly – using fewer cookies and less butter will result in a thinner, lighter base. The key is to crush the Oreos into fine crumbs, ensuring they bind together beautifully with the butter, creating a firm yet crumbly layer that perfectly complements the smooth cheesecake filling above it. This crust isn’t just a base; it’s an integral part of the overall chocolate experience, adding texture, depth, and a touch of nostalgic flavor.
Why These Chocolate Cheesecake Squares Will Be Your New Favorite Dessert
- Simple Ingredients: One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is its reliance on readily available, everyday ingredients. You likely have most, if not all, of them already stocked in your pantry and refrigerator. This makes spontaneous baking sessions a breeze and eliminates the need for special grocery runs, ensuring you can whip up these delicious treats whenever a chocolate craving strikes. From cream cheese and sour cream to cocoa powder and sugar, these are common staples that come together to create something truly extraordinary.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Planning for a party, a potluck, or just want to have a delightful dessert ready for the week? These chocolate cheesecake squares are your answer. They actually benefit from an extended chill time, which allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the texture to set perfectly. This makes them an ideal candidate for preparing the night before an event, freeing up your valuable time on the day of and ensuring a stress-free dessert presentation. Simply bake, cool, chill, and then slice when you’re ready to serve.
- Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t adore creamy, chocolatey desserts, and these squares tick all the boxes. Their rich yet balanced flavor profile appeals to a wide range of palates. Plus, their square format makes them incredibly easy to cut into neat, uniform portions, perfect for serving at any gathering. Whether it’s an elegant dinner party, a casual bake sale, a school event, or just an afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of coffee, these convenient and delicious squares are guaranteed to be a hit and disappear quickly.
Essential Tips for Baking Perfect Chocolate Cheesecake Squares
Achieving bakery-quality chocolate cheesecake squares at home is entirely possible with a few key considerations. These tips will help ensure your dessert turns out perfectly creamy, smooth, and delicious every time.
Chill time matters: This is perhaps the most crucial step for cheesecake. An hour in the refrigerator is the minimum, but ideally, these bars should chill for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. This extended cooling period isn’t just about firming up the cheesecake; it allows the flavors to deepen and meld together, resulting in that unmistakably creamy, rich, and sliceable texture that we all love. Rushing this step can lead to a softer, less defined square, making them harder to serve and diminishing their delightful texture. Patience truly pays off here.
Use a metal pan: When it comes to baking cheesecakes and bars, a metal pan is your best friend. Metal conducts heat more efficiently and evenly than glass or ceramic, which is vital for consistent baking. This ensures that your cheesecake squares bake through without developing overly browned edges or an undercooked center. To make cleanup an absolute breeze and guarantee easy removal, line the pan with non-stick foil. Make sure to leave a slight overhang on two sides; these “handles” will allow you to lift the entire chilled cheesecake out of the pan effortlessly before cutting, preventing any sticking or breakage.
Don’t overbake: Overbaking is the enemy of a creamy cheesecake. When you take the pan out of the oven, the center of the cheesecake should still look slightly soft, almost jiggly, when gently nudged. It might even seem a bit underdone, but resist the urge to bake it longer. The residual heat in the pan will continue to cook the cheesecake as it cools, a process known as “carryover cooking.” As it cools and then chills, the center will firm up to the perfect creamy consistency. Overbaked cheesecake, on the other hand, will be dry, crumbly, and prone to cracking, losing its signature smooth texture.
Variations and Customizations for Your Cheesecake Squares
While the classic chocolate cheesecake squares are delightful on their own, don’t hesitate to get creative and customize them to your liking. Here are a few ideas to spark your culinary imagination:
- Different Crusts: Beyond Oreos, consider a graham cracker crust for a slightly less intense chocolate base, or use other chocolate cookies for a nuanced flavor profile. For a nutty twist, add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to your Oreo crust mixture.
- Chocolate Intensity: Adjust the type of chocolate chips you sprinkle on top. Use dark chocolate chips for a more sophisticated, bittersweet flavor, milk chocolate for a sweeter treat, or even white chocolate chips for a contrasting color and creamy taste.
- Swirls and Toppings: After pouring the cheesecake batter into the crust, dollop spoonfuls of caramel sauce, peanut butter, or even raspberry preserves onto the top, then swirl gently with a knife for a beautiful marbled effect. Once cooled, you can also drizzle melted chocolate, add a dollop of whipped cream, or sprinkle with cocoa powder before serving.
- Espresso Boost: A teaspoon of instant espresso powder added to the cocoa powder in the cheesecake filling can intensify the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee, creating a richer, deeper dessert.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
Presenting these chocolate cheesecake squares can be as simple or as elegant as you desire. For a casual serving, simply arrange them on a platter. For a more refined touch, consider dusting them with a light coating of cocoa powder or powdered sugar just before serving. A dollop of freshly whipped cream, a few fresh raspberries or strawberries, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream make for excellent accompaniments, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate.
When it comes to storage, these squares are incredibly forgiving. Keep them refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and optimal texture. If you’ve baked a large batch or want to enjoy them over a longer period, they freeze beautifully. Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving for the best results.
- Cheesecake Bars (Small Batch)
- Out of Flour Cake Mix Cheesecake
- Oreo Cheesecake
- Double Lemon Cheesecake Bars
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies
Recipe
Classic Chocolate Cheesecake Squares
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 ct Oreos
- 4 tablespoons melted salted butter
- 8 ounces reduced fat or regular cream cheese (softened to room temperature for best results)
- 1 cup reduced fat or regular sour cream (also at room temperature)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder natural, unsweetened for rich flavor
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (helps prevent cracking and ensures smooth texture)
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg white (at room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla for best taste)
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips (for sprinkling on top, semi-sweet or dark recommended)
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Prepare an 8-inch square metal baking pan by lining the inside with non-stick foil, ensuring there is an overhang on two opposite sides. This overhang will act as “handles” for easy removal of the baked cheesecake.
-
To create the crust, process the entire pack of Oreo cookies into very fine crumbs using a food processor, or place them in a resealable bag and crush them thoroughly with a rolling pin. Transfer the fine crumbs to a bowl and mix them well with the melted salted butter until evenly combined. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared 8-inch square pan to form a compact crust.
-
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is beautifully creamy and smooth, with no lumps. Next, add the cocoa powder, cornstarch, the large egg, egg white, and vanilla extract. Continue to beat on low speed just until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth; be careful not to overmix, as this can introduce too much air. Gently pour this luscious chocolate cheesecake batter evenly over the prepared cookie crust in the pan. Finish by sprinkling the top generously with chocolate chips.
-
Bake the cheesecake on the center rack of your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. The cheesecake is done when the edges are set and slightly puffed, but the very center still looks slightly soft and jiggles a little when the pan is gently shaken. Do not overbake! Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the cheesecake for at least one hour (preferably 4 hours or overnight) to allow it to firm up properly. Once thoroughly chilled, use the foil overhangs to carefully lift the entire cheesecake out of the pan. Peel off the non-stick foil, reinvert the cheesecake so the crust side is down, and then cut it into 9 perfect squares using a sharp knife for clean slices. Serve chilled and enjoy!