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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Combine chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and one egg in a large mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture forms a cohesive and smooth texture.
- Evenly distribute and firmly press the cake mix combination into the prepared pan, creating a uniform crust layer that covers the entire bottom surface.
- In a separate mixing bowl, thoroughly blend cream cheese and sugar until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency.
- Incorporate the remaining two eggs and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, whisking until completely integrated and smooth.
- Gently fold sour cream into the cheesecake mixture, ensuring minimal overmixing to maintain a light texture.
- Carefully pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared chocolate cake mix crust, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Strategically scatter M&M’s and chocolate chips across the top of the cheesecake layer, distributing them for consistent coverage.
- Sprinkle Halloween-themed decorative sprinkles over the surface for a festive seasonal appearance.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for the center to become almost completely set.
- Remove from oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
- 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