Description
Indulge in the creamy, dreamy delight of Irresistible Cannoli Cheesecake Bars, where the velvety texture of cheesecake meets the delightful crunch of cannoli shells. Each bite bursts with the rich flavors of sweet ricotta, chocolate chips, and a hint of citrus zest, creating a symphony of taste that dances on your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until well mixed. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and ricotta until smooth and creamy.
- Add sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the cheese mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips and orange zest gently.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and spread evenly.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
- Allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Make-ahead: These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator for optimal flavor.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Substitutions: Use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free version or swap ricotta for mascarpone for a richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: desserts
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately 2x2 inches)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 grams
- Sodium: 180 milligrams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 9 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 4 grams
- Cholesterol: 60 milligrams
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