The Spooky-Sweet Monster Mash Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Spooky season calls for a wickedly delicious monster mash cheesecake bars that blend creepy creativity with sweet satisfaction.

Halloween desserts reach new heights of ghoulish delight with this playful treat.

Vibrant colors and whimsical decorations make these bars a showstopper at any festive gathering.

Chocolate cookie crusts provide a rich foundation for the creamy cheesecake filling.

Swirls of green and purple frosting transform ordinary bars into monstrous masterpieces.

Bold bakers can unleash their inner mad scientist with simple decorating techniques.

You’ll love how quickly these spine-tingling bars come together for maximum Halloween fun.

Monster Mash Cheesecake Bars: What Makes Them Special

• Perfect Halloween treat that transforms ordinary baking into a festive experience.
• Swap M&M's and sprinkles to match any Halloween party theme or color scheme, making it super adaptable for different celebrations.
• Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can whip up a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen, ideal for busy hosts or last-minute gatherings.
• Involves minimal complicated techniques, allowing children to help with mixing, decorating, and creating fun Halloween memories together.

Monster Mash Bar Ingredient List

• Chocolate Cake Mix: The foundational component that creates a rich and chocolatey crust for the cheesecake bars.
• Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients and adds richness to the base.
• Eggs: Provides structure and helps combine the crust ingredients.

• Cream Cheese: The primary ingredient that gives the bars a smooth and creamy texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tangy cream cheese.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cheesecake mixture.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tanginess to the cheesecake filling.

• M&M's, Chocolate Chips: Provide extra chocolate flavor and fun texture to the bars.
• Halloween Sprinkles: Adds a festive and colorful Halloween-themed decoration to the dessert.

Equipment for Spooky Cheesecake Bars

• 9×13-inch baking pan: Perfect for creating these monster-sized cheesecake bars.
• Parchment paper: Essential for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Large mixing bowls: Two needed for preparing crust and cheesecake mixture.
• Electric mixer: Helps beat cream cheese and sugar to smooth perfection.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise ingredients mean delicious results.
• Spatula: Great for folding sour cream and spreading mixture evenly.
• Sharp knife: For cutting clean, beautiful bars after chilling.

How to Make Halloween Cheesecake Bars

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal later.

Step 2: Craft the Spooky Crust

• Chocolate cake mix
• Melted butter
• Egg

Blend these ghoulish ingredients until they form a deliciously dark mixture that looks like midnight’s embrace.

Step 3: Flatten the Crust

Press the chocolatey blend into the prepared pan, creating an even layer that will serve as the foundation for your monster treat.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until they transform into a silky smooth concoction.

Crack in the eggs and splash of vanilla extract, mixing until everything combines into a ghostly white mixture.

Step 5: Swirl in the Sour Cream

Gently fold sour cream into the cheesecake mixture, creating a rich and tangy base that’ll make taste buds dance.

Step 6: Pour the Ghostly Layer

Carefully pour the creamy cheesecake mixture over the chocolate crust, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape.

Step 7: Sprinkle Monstrous Goodies

• M&M's
• Chocolate chips

Distribute these treats evenly like little Halloween confetti.

Step 8: Add Spooky Decorations

Shake Halloween sprinkles over the surface, creating a festive and playful design that screams Halloween spirit.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

You’re looking for a center that’s almost set but still has a slight wiggle – like a ghost doing a little dance.

Step 10: Chill and Slice

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature.

Then, park them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

When ready, lift out using the parchment paper and slice into spine-tingling bars that’ll be the hit of any Halloween party.

Tips for Spooky, Fun Cheesecake Bars

• Opt for a richer, more intense chocolate base that enhances the overall Halloween theme and flavor profile.
• Beat cream cheese at room temperature to ensure a silky, lump-free cheesecake mixture that spreads evenly.
• Distribute Halloween-colored M&M's carefully to create a festive, spooky pattern across the cheesecake surface.
• Refrigerate bars for minimum 2 hours to allow cheesecake to set completely and develop a creamy, firm consistency.
• Use a warm, clean knife and wipe between cuts to create clean, sharp edges for professional-looking Halloween bars.

Halloween Bar Variations and Mix-Ins

• Gluten-Free Ghost Bars: Replace chocolate cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or almond flour, use gluten-free chocolate chips for celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Monster Mash: Swap cream cheese with cashew cream, use coconut oil instead of butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, select dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Low-Sugar Spooky Squares: Use sugar substitute like stevia, select sugar-free chocolate chips, reduce sugar content in cream cheese mixture for diabetic-friendly option.
• Pumpkin Spice Halloween Bars: Add 1/2 cup pumpkin puree to cheesecake mixture, incorporate pumpkin pie spice for seasonal autumn flavor profile.

Serving Monster Mash Cheesecake Bars

Spooky Sweet Spectacular: Serving Suggestions

• Costume Party Platter: Slice bars into fun monster shapes using Halloween-themed cookie cutters for a playful party treat.
• Ghoulish Garnish: Top each bar with candy corn, chocolate spiders, or edible googly eyes to amp up the Halloween spirit.
• Chilled Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark chocolate and create spiderweb designs or monster faces over the cooled bars for extra dramatic presentation.
• Frightful Fruit Pairing: Serve alongside orange slices or blackberries to create a color-coordinated Halloween dessert display.

Keeping Cheesecake Bars Fresh

• Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep chilled for up to 5 days, maintaining fresh flavor and creamy texture.
• Cut bars into individual portions, place on parchment-lined tray. Freeze solid, then transfer to freezer-safe bag. Stores perfectly for 2-3 months without losing quality.
• Remove from freezer and let sit in refrigerator overnight. Never thaw at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth and preserve texture.
• Warm individual bars in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Avoid overheating to prevent cheesecake from becoming rubbery or cracking.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this cheesecake special for Halloween?

The recipe uses Halloween sprinkles, colorful M&M’s, and a chocolate cake mix base to create a festive and spooky dessert that’s perfect for the holiday.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix for the crust?

While chocolate cake mix works best for the Monster Mash theme, you could substitute with a similar dark or chocolate-based cake mix to maintain the rich flavor profile.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly to make?

Absolutely! Kids will love helping sprinkle the M&M’s and Halloween decorations, and the process is simple enough for children to participate in most steps with adult supervision.

Monster Mash Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Monster mash cheesecake bars blend Halloween spirit with creamy indulgence. Colorful layers and spooky decorations make this dessert a festive treat you’ll love to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base:

• 1 package (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) chocolate cake mix
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

Filling:

• 2 packages (8 ounces / 226 grams each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream

Toppings:

• 1/2 cup (85 grams) Halloween-colored M&M’s
• 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips
• Halloween sprinkles for decoration

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Combine chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and one egg in a large mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture forms a cohesive and smooth texture.
3. Evenly distribute and firmly press the cake mix combination into the prepared pan, creating a uniform crust layer that covers the entire bottom surface.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, thoroughly blend cream cheese and sugar until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency.
5. Incorporate the remaining two eggs and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, whisking until completely integrated and smooth.
6. Gently fold sour cream into the cheesecake mixture, ensuring minimal overmixing to maintain a light texture.
7. Carefully pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared chocolate cake mix crust, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.
8. Strategically scatter M&M’s and chocolate chips across the top of the cheesecake layer, distributing them for consistent coverage.
9. Sprinkle Halloween-themed decorative sprinkles over the surface for a festive seasonal appearance.
10. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for the center to become almost completely set.
11. Remove from oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
12. Once thoroughly chilled, slice into bars using a sharp knife for clean, precise cuts.

Notes

• Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smoother, lump-free cheesecake mixture that blends perfectly.
• Prevent cracking by avoiding overmixing and overbaking, ensuring the center remains slightly jiggly when removed from oven.
• Customize Halloween theme by using seasonal colored M&M’s or festive sprinkles for different holiday variations.
• Gluten-free option: Swap chocolate cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or crushed gluten-free cookies for a similar texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 240 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg