Valentine Envy™ Apple Cheesecake Bars
INGREDIENTS
- 1 box dark chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 envy™ apple
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 packets of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs , room temperature – this is important
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Red food colouring
- Heart shaped cookie cutter
METHOD
- Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius
- Prepare a 9x13 pan by first spraying the pan with non-stick spray and then press parchment paper to the bottom and up the sides of the pan so that it sticks to the pan well
- Beat together the cake mix and melted butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time
- Spread the cake mixture evenly along the bottom of the pan
- Mix the cinnamon and sugar together
- Toss the diced apples with the cinnamon sugar and then sprinkle on top of the cake mixture and gently press into the cake mix using your hand
- Beat together the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy, scraping down the sides halfway through
- Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla. Scrape down the sides a few times and make sure all is well combined, and no clumps are left
- Spoon out ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture into a small bowl and set aside - do not add food colouring to this, keep white
- Turn the mixer on low and continue to add drops of red food colouring until desired colour (light pink, dark pink, red)
- Spread the coloured cream cheese mixture over top of the cake and apples. Gently spread evenly, trying not to move any of the apple pieces
- Spoon small dollops of the white cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the red mixture. Take a toothpick or knife and swirl the two together slightly to make a swirled appearance
- Bake in oven for 45 minutes or until the top no longer jiggles
- Turn off the oven and crack the door about ½ way open and then leave the cheesecake in there until the oven is room temperature. This ensures it cools and sets properly
- Once cooled, gently and evenly lift the parchment out of the pan and place the cheesecake on a cutting board or flat surface. Using the heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out pieces and then carefully cut away the trim to get smooth edges. Place on a pretty platter and serve
Credit: Lorin Peters- @LorinMichel