Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake Bars

I found this to die for recipe on a food blog that attributed it to Paula Deen (though I could not find it on Paula's website or Food Network). Regardless, these are A-MAZING!!! They are very rich and somewhat time consuming, but so worth it. These are definitely not diet food! They are pretty much pecan pie, cheesecake and chocolate rolled into one goey bar.

Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake Bars

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar (I used dark)

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups finely chopped pecans

16 oz cream cheese softened (I used reduced fat)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, melted & cooled

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9 baking pan.

Combine flour & 3/4 cup brown sugar. Mix in softened butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Press mixture into bottom of pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, combine cream cheese & granulated sugar until smooth. Add 1 egg & beat until combined. Stir in chocolate & vanilla extract. Pour over baked crust. Bake 15 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Whisk together 3/4 cup brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter & 3 eggs. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans. Pour over cream cheese mixture.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan. Cut into squares & serve.