Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Squares

      Tessa’s Recipe Overview

      Taste: A decadent, tangy chocolate cheesecake featuring a hint of stout and complemented by a salty-sweet pretzel crust. Enhance the stout flavor by adding the stout-infused whipped cream.

      Texture: A luxuriously smooth cheesecake paired with a slightly crunchy crust.

      Ease: Much simpler than a traditional cheesecake – no need for a water bath!

      Why You’ll Adore This Recipe: It’s a uniquely delightful dessert for St. Patrick’s Day, Father’s Day, or any celebration.

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      Chocolate. Stout. Pretzels. All combined in one cheesecake bar? Count me in! These Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Bars are set to fulfill all your sweet-and-salty desires.

      It’s well known that I have a passion for chocolate. I’ve baked my Chewy Brownies over 100 times. My indulgent Chocolate Cake is my go-to for every birthday celebration. And my Browned Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies are always among the most requested desserts.

      When I began crafting this Cheesecake Bars recipe, I aimed to blend rich chocolate with the deep, roasty flavors of stout beer… while also adding a fun twist.

      The solution? A graham cracker and PRETZEL crust for a delightful sweet-and-salty combination.

      The texture itself is divine, but the salted pretzel crust elevates these bars to a whole new level.

      Believe me, even those who typically dislike stout will be tempted to have a second helping of these Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Bars!

      Sprinkle of Science

      How to Prepare Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Bars

      Choose the Right Pan!

      Opt for a light-colored 8×8-inch metal pan like this one for baking cheesecake bars. Steer clear of glass or ceramic pans – find out why in my Glass vs. Metal Baking Pans article.

      Free Cheesecake Guide!

      Uncover the top secret to achieving perfectly smooth, rich cheesecake in this FREE guide. Craft compliment-worthy cheesecakes every time!

      What Type of Beer Should I Use?

      My team and I tested this recipe with both Guinness Stout and Guinness Extra Stout.

      It’s best to use a stout, as other beer types may lack the same depth of flavor.

      Avoid stouts with extra flavors (like coconut, coffee, etc.), as they might overwhelm the sweetness.

      Alcohol-free stouts might work, but we have yet to verify that. If you try it, please share your experience in the comments!

      Can I Make These Cheesecake Bars Without Beer?

      This recipe is meant to incorporate beer. If you prefer to skip it, I suggest trying my Nutella Cheesecake Bars or my Chocolate Cheesecake.

      The Stout-Infused Whipped Cream Topping

      If you enjoy stout, don’t miss out on the stout-infused whipped cream topping! The stout flavor in the cheesecake bars is subtle, so the topping amplifies that taste.

      I piped the whipped cream onto each slice using a disposable piping bag and a Wilton 1M star tip, but you could also use an offset spatula to spread it across the entire cheesecake slab and lightly dust with cocoa powder for a quicker option.

      The Cream Cheese

      Utilize high-quality full-fat cream cheese bricks (not the soft tubs meant for bagels). Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature beforehand for the smoothest, lump-free cheesecake bars.

      The Pretzel & Graham Cracker Crust

      My taste testers loved this particular aspect of the cheesecake bars! I recommend sticking to the graham cracker and pretzel blend as indicated – but you can use the crust recipe from my Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars if you’re not keen on the sweet-and-salty combo.

      Make sure to firmly press down the crust to avoid crumbling when slicing and serving.

      The Chocolate

      Use bittersweet baking chocolate bars for the best outcome. We tested with Ghirardelli and Baker’s brands. For more about chocolate substitutions, using chocolate chips, and more, check out my Chocolate in Baking article.

      Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Bars FAQs

      Can I Double This Recipe? Absolutely – just double all the ingredients and bake in a 9 by 13-inch metal pan, adding additional baking time.

      How to Store Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Bars? Keep undecorated cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Once topped with whipped cream, they should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day for optimal freshness. Note that the longer the cheesecake bars sit, the softer the crust will get.

      How to Freeze Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Bars? Freeze the completely cooled, undecorated cheesecake in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge before adding the whipped cream topping.

      For the crust:

      ▢ 1 cup (109 grams) graham cracker crumbs (approximately 7 whole graham crackers