Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake Bars

• CRUST
• 2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• FILLING
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate pieces
• 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup dairy sour cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3 large eggs

FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine wafer crumbs and butter in medium bowl. Press mixture onto bottom of a 13 X 9-inch baking pan. Bake crust 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely. FOR FILLING: Place whipping cream, espresso powder and chocolate pieces in a heavy, medium-sized saucepan over low heat. Stir until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat and cool. Beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Pour mixture over prepared crust. Bake 45 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Cover and chill. Cut into bars.

For an elegant dessert, serve bars on dessert plates with chocolate sauce and top with a rosette of whipped cream and a chocolate covered espresso bean!