RED VELVET CHEESECAKE BARS RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Wrap outside bottom and side of 10-inch springform pan with heavy-duty foil. Spray inside of pan with baking spray with flour. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cake mix for filling; set aside. In large bowl, beat remaining cake mix and butter with electric mixer on low speed. Press in bottom and 1 1/2 inches up side of pan.
• In large bowl, beat reserved 1/4 cup cake mix, the cream cheese, chocolate, sour cream, sugar and food color with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes or until edge of cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Turn off oven; open oven door 4 inches. Leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan on cooling rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan; remove side of pan. Pipe whipped topping around outer edge of cheesecake. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the cookie crumbs, melted butter, sugar and salt in a bowl. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake until set, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Make the filling: Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the flour, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Transfer 2 cups batter to a bowl; stir in the cocoa powder and food coloring. Pour the red batter into the crust, then pour the white batter on top. Using a spoon, pull some of the red batter up from the bottom of the cake and swirl. Bake until the edges are set but the center is still wobbly, about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
• Turn off the oven but keep the cake inside to cool, 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan (don't remove the springform side), then transfer to a rack to cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before slicing.