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Creamy White Russian Bars

4.50 from 2 votes
Makes 32 bars

Ingredients
  

  • Black Cocoa Shortcrust (recipe follows)
  • 3 (8-ounce) packages (680 grams) cream cheese, room temperature and divided
  • ¼ cup (60 grams) coffee liqueur*
  • teaspoons (5 grams) dark-roast instant coffee granules
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons (12 grams) vanilla extract, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs (100 grams), room temperature
  • ¼ cup (60 grams) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon (2 grams) black cocoa powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend almost to top of pan.
  • Let Black Cocoa Shortcrust stand at room temperature until slightly softened, 10 to 15 minutes, if necessary. Transfer dough to prepared pan, pressing to cover bottom of pan. Top with a piece of parchment paper, letting excess extend over edges of pan. Add pie weights.
  • Bake until edges are set and crust is fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove parchment and weights. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 25 minutes. Leave oven on.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 2 packages (454 grams) cream cheese at medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl.
  • In a small bowl, stir together liqueur and instant coffee until granules dissolve. Add liqueur mixture, ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar, flour, ¾ teaspoon (3 grams) vanilla, and salt to cream cheese; beat until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Pour cream cheese mixture onto prepared crust, spreading into an even layer with a small offset spatula. Gently tap sides of pan several times to release any air bubbles, popping any that rise to the surface with a wooden pick.
  • Bake until edges are set, top has a dulled finish, center is almost set, and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 150°F (66°C) to 155°F (68°C), about 20 minutes. Immediately run a knife around pan to loosen bars from parchment; let cool in pan on a wire rack for 1½ to 2 hours.
  • Clean bowl of stand mixer and paddle attachment. Using the paddle attachment, beat remaining 1 package (226 grams) cream cheese at medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add cream, remaining ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar, and remaining 2¼ teaspoons (9 grams) vanilla; beat until smooth and well combined. Transfer ¼ cup (about 54 grams) cream cheese mixture to a small bowl; stir in black cocoa.
  • Spoon and spread remaining cream cheese mixture onto cooled cheesecake layer in pan. Drop small dollops of black cocoa mixture on top of cream cheese mixture; using a wooden pick, swirl as desired, being careful not to hit cheesecake layer underneath. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight, loosely covering with foil only when completely cool to prevent condensation from forming on top.
  • Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pan. Using a warm, dry knife, cut into bars.

Notes

*We used Kahlúa.
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