Rocky road cheesecake bars
Use up those mini Easter eggs – if you’ve got any left, that is – with these moreish rocky road cheesecake bars. Use whatever nuts, biscuits and dried fruit you have in the cupboards
175g butter 200g dark chocolate, broken into chunks 3 tbsp golden syrup 250g plain biscuits (such as digestive or rich tea) 50g dried fruit (such as raisins, dried apricots or dried cranberries) 25g mixed nuts, chopped (optional; you could use popcorn or extra biscuits, if you like) 50g mini marshmallows 2 gelatine leaves 50ml double cream 350g soft cheese 100g caster sugar 100g mini chocolate eggs 1 Line a 20 x 20cm tin with baking parchment and set aside. Put the butter, 175g of the dark chocolate and the golden syrup in a saucepan over a low heat. Melt, stirring occasionally until smooth.
2
Meanwhile, tip the biscuits into a bowl and crush with the end of a rolling pin until roughly broken up – you should have some fine, dusty pieces and some larger ones. Add the fruit, nuts (if using) and marshmallows, then pour over the melted chocolate mixture and stir until everything is coated. Tip into the prepared tin and press into an even layer using the back of a spoon. Chill for at least 1 hr.
3
Put the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water and leave to soften for 5 mins. Meanwhile, heat the cream in a small pan over a low heat until steaming. Squeeze as much water from the gelatine as possible, then drop into the cream, swirling the pan to help the gelatine dissolve. Cool for 10 mins. 4
Combine the soft cheese, sugar and warm cream mixture in a large bowl, using a spatula to beat out any lumps. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the rocky road and spread out into an even layer.
Chill for at least 1 hr until the cheesecake layer is set.
5
Put the remaining dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave in 20-second bursts. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cheesecake, then immediately scatter with the mini chocolate eggs. Cut into squares. Will keep chilled for up to three days.