Name: Minty Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size); 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 large eggs, room temperature, divided use; 1 package (10 ounces) Andes creme de menthe baking chips, divided; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1-2/3 cups confectioners' sugar

I always looked forward to my grandma’s gooey rich cream cheese bars while I was growing up. This version includes mint, which is one of my favorite flavor add-ins. —Jill Lutz, Woodbury, Minnesota

Ingredients

1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 large eggs, room temperature, divided use

1 package (10 ounces) Andes creme de menthe baking chips, divided

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1-2/3 cups confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1 Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, butter, extracts and 2 eggs until blended. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup baking chips.

2 In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add remaining eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour over chocolate layer, spreading evenly; sprinkle with remaining baking chips.

3 Bake 30-35 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Refrigerate leftovers.