Chocolate Cheesecake Squares

I made this yummy dessert today for my little granddaughter's birthday party. She just turned 2. It is quick and easy and great for a potluck or dessert bar in the summertime. 

Recipe for Chocolate Cheesecake Squares

Crust:
3/4 cup real butter, softened (1 stick and a half)
1 1/2 - cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 - cups pecans, chopped

Filling:1 - 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 1/4 - cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 cups Cool Whip
1 Large package instant chocolate pudding mixed as pie recipe on box
( OR fresh strawberries in strawberry glaze OR 1 - (21 oz) can cherry pie filling for variety in toppings) 

Chocolate cheesecake squares....mix up the crust in the mixmaster.....super quick and easy.....

Make the crust by mixing the butter and flour till you get pea sized bits. Add sugar slowly while mixing. Then add chopped pecans.  Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan or two 8 x 8 pans if you want to freeze one. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until light golden brown.

                                Here is the crust ready for baking.....

While the crust is cooling mix the filling.   Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar together using a electric mixer. Add Cool Whip to cream cheese mixture. 
When the crust is completely cooled add the cream cheese filling on top of the crust and spread evenly. 

The cheesecake filling is really easy and quick but rich and creamy and yummy....

Top with cherry pie filling OR chocolate instant pudding and refrigerate for a few hours till set. You can also just do this recipe in a 9 x 13 pan and choose 1 topping only. 

Make chocolate curls to top your pie pieces with by slicing off slivers of a hershy bar  or chocolate kiss with a paring knife. Keep the chocolate cold or it will melt up when you try to cut the curls.....

After cutting the Chocolate cheesecake dessert into squares, top each with a dollop of whip cream and some chocolate curls...

Doesn't it look good enough to bit into right NOW?  Everything is better with a little chocolate.....

Here is the cherry cheesecake dessert...It looks pretty good too!  Or you could top with fresh strawberries and glaze.... I like to make two 8 x 8 pans with this recipe, so I can have 2 toppings for people to choose from. 

I brought these chocolate cheesecake squares to my little 2 year old granddaughter Josie's birthday party today.....

  Here is my son helping his little 2 year old daughter blow out her candles.... Now isn't that just the sweetest thing you've ever seen?  Sniff....
Grandma and Josie at the party.......................
I usually make this recipe in two 8 x 8 pans and then I can do a different topping on each one. Those who prefer fruit can have the cherry pie filling or strawberries with glaze. Either way it is a great dish for a pot luck or a dessert bar.  Yummm......