Chocolate/ Pecan/ Cheesecake Bars:

Crust:

1-1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans


Filling #1

16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 tsp vanilla extract


Filling #2

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 eggs
1-1/2 cup finely chopped pecans



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 pan with foil and spray it with non-stick spray. These bars are very sticky, so don't skip that step. Combine flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in softened butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in the pecans. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.


Using an electric mixer or stand mixer on medium speed, combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add 1 egg and beat until combined. Stir in chocolate and vanilla. Pour over baked crust. My batter was thick, so I tried to spread it out with spatula. The chocolate will start to melt quickly while doing this. Bake for 15 minutes, then allow to cool on counter for 10.


Whisk together brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, and the eggs. Stir in the pecans. Pour over cream cheese mixture. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan. Cut into squares and serve.