How to bake st. patrick's chocolate mint cheesecake bars

Begin by assembling the ingredients, and preheating the oven to 325 degrees F.

Beat cake mix and butter with an electric mixer on low speed in a bowl until crumbly, for 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside 1 cup for topping.

Press remaining crumb mixture into bottom of an ungreased 9-by-13 inch pan.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until edges begin to crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese and frosting with an electric mixer on medium speed in a bowl until smooth, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add eggs one at a time into the cream cheese mixture and beat until blended, 2 to 3 minutes.

Pour in 6 drops green food color (I used more). Beat until color is blended. Beat in crème de menthe candy flavoring until thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes. Taste and add more flavoring if needed.

Pour batter over the chocolate crust in the 9-by-13 pan.

Sprinkle 1 cup reserved crumb mixture over cheesecake batter. Top mixture with 1 cup chocolate and mint morsels; reserve remaining morsels for finishing touches.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until set, 42 to 45 minutes. Remove the pan from oven and cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.

Pour reserved chocolate and mint morsels into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave morsels in 45 second intervals; stir until completely melted and smooth.

Pour melted chocolate into a resealable plastic bag. Clip a small corner of the bag, then drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cake. Cut into cake bars and serve.

Recipe courtesy of mis7up, AllRecipes.com