Toast to the Red Carpet Party ~ Black and White Cheesecake Bars

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you watching the Academy Awards on Sunday?  I may be in and out of the room making dinner and chasing the Things, but I’m for sure checking out all the red carpet fashions.  It’s my favorite part of any awards show.  Except Spike’s Guys Choice Awards, that’s just a great show in itself. 

I was thrilled to find out about a Toast to the Red Carpet – LIVE, presented by I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! on Facebook this Sunday from 3:00 to 4:30 PST.  That means I can see all the red carpet looks before they’re on TV.  I like being an early bird like that.  Toast to the Red Carpet will feature Hollywood stars giving insider access and dishing on red carpet fashion.  Better yet, there is also going to be a culinary and entertaining expert who will be sharing and preparing Best Picture-themed recipes for your own Oscar Party.  I know who it is and I hope you’ll stop by to find out too.   {Top Chef fans won’t be disappointed!}

I couldn’t be happier, fashion and food all in one place?!?  Yes please! 
Now I’m not up to date on my movies.  I haven’t been to the theater since I don’t know when.  Really, I don’t remember the last time we were at the movies.  So the only Best Picture nominees I had heard of were Moneyball  {hello, Brad Pitt!} and The Help.  When I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter asked me to share a Best Picture themed recipe with my lovely readers, I thought, “Southern Food, duh.”  But then I looked up the other Best Picture nominees.  I had a recipe I was sitting on and I was craving cheesecake, so The Artist got my vote…for dessert anyway. 

So here’s my dessert recipe for your Oscar party, Black and White Cheesecake Bars.  These bars would go great with almost any party theme.  Yes, The Artist is in black and white, but almost every guy in attendance will have a tux {see: black and white} on and that means you have no reason not to make these yummies. 

**Update: I took these bars to a family gathering at the park on Saturday and they were a smash.  Out of 5 desserts people brought, these cheesecake bars were gone first.**

    

Doesn't Reese look amazing?

If I had that body I would so wear a knock off of this dress for my Oscar party.

To help get your party going, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter is giving away a tub of their spread to one lucky reader to help you get your cheesecake bake on.  And to make your party a little more festive, I’m throwing in a set of 4 star wine glass charms because everyone should feel like a star some times.

  

Oh and here’s a ballot so your guests can all vote for their favorite in each category and everyone can see who picks the most right.

Congratulations to Kelley from missinformationblog.com!

Required Entry:
Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about the Oscars.

Extra Entries:

1. “Like” me on Facebook and leave a separate comment telling me you do.
2. Do you follow me?  Leave a spereate comment and tell me how you follow (GFC, email, Linky Followers, BlogLovin’).
3. Follow me on Pinterest and leave a separate comment letting me know you do.
4. Come by after the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Red Carpet Toast The Red Carpet Live viewing and let me know you think should get best dressed.  {I can't wait to hear who rocked your socks!}

Winner will be chosen Monday February 27, 2012 using Random.org.  Entries must be received by 11:59pm on Sunday February 26, 2012.  US residents only (sorry Intl' friends).  Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen using Random.org.  Entries without contact information will be considered invalid.

Black and White Cheesecake Bars
Adapted from Reader’s Digest

Ingredients:
2 cups (12oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!  (or real unsalted butter)
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (1 pack of crackers)
8oz cream cheese, softened
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, stirring occasionally until smooth.
2. Stir ¾ of the chocolate unto the graham cracker crumbs, being sure to coat all the crumbs.  Return remaining chocolate (in bowl) to double-boiler to keep the chocolate loose.
3. Press the chocolate-crumb mixture into an ungreased 9” x 13” baking dish.
4. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
5. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually beat in the milk, egg, and vanilla.  Pour over the crust and spread evenly.
6. Dollop remaining chocolate around batter.  Using a knife or spatula, cut through chocolate and swirl it around the dish.  Repeat until desired swirl is reached.  DO NOT over mix, the batter will turn brown.
7. Bake until beginning to brown 25 to 30 minutes.  Cool.
8. Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 3 hours.  Cut into bars and store in the refrigerator.

This cheesecake is dense and rich and comes out pretty thin.  If you like a thicker cheesecake half to your bar, bake them in an 11" x 8" pan.  I found the best utensil for pan removal is a pie server.