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White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe Ingredients: For the crust: • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted For the filling: • 16 oz cream cheese, softened • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 12 oz white chocolate chips For the topping: • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 1/4 cup toasted almonds, chopped Instructions: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix well and press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each interval, until smooth. Add the melted chocolate to the cream cheese mixture and beat until well combined. Pour the cheesecake batter over the crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least 2 hours or overnight. To make the topping, melt the white chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring after each interval, until smooth. Pour the mixture over the chilled cheesecake and sprinkle with toasted almonds. Return the cheesecake to the refrigerator and let it chill for another 30 minutes or until the topping is set. Use the parchment paper to lift the cheesecake out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut the cheesecake into bars and serve chilled. Tips: • If you prefer a more pronounced white chocolate flavor, you can add an additional 4 oz of melted white chocolate to the cheesecake batter. • Toasting the almonds adds an extra layer of flavor to the dessert. Simply spread the chopped almonds on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. • If you don't have white chocolate chips, you can substitute them with white chocolate bars that have been chopped into small pieces.