Baking for Comic Relief - Mars Bar Cheesecake

Red Nose Day is a uniquely British phenomenon where you are encouraged to do silly things for the charity Comic Relief.  OK, it's all in a good cause, and some of the charities they support are very worthwhile, but I draw the line at dyeing my hair bright scarlet!   Baking for charity is one of the nicest ways of raising money, so this Mars Bar Cheesecake (referencing the fact that Mars is sponsoring Red Nose Day) is my contribution to Comic Relief.  The cheesecake is ridiculously easy to make, and went down a storm with the students at the University Choral Society rehearsal at the weekend (Verdi and Mars Bars - match made in heaven!).  In fact, I would describe the recipe as student-friendly, child-friendly and non-bakers friendly - there's really no cooking involved....

Mars Bar Cheesecake

Mars Bar Cheesecake

7oz/200g crushed digestive biscuits (or Hobnobs)

3.5oz/100g melted butter

3 x 250ml tubs cream cheese

5 large (not Kingsize, don’t be greedy!) Mars Bars

Sieved cocoa/grated chocolate to serve

Line the base of a 9” spring clip tin (or a tin with a removable base) with baking parchment.   Mix the digestives and melted butter, press into the tin and chill until set. 

Cut up four of the Mars Bars and melt them carefully in the microwave (and I mean carefully – they cross the divide from solid to exploded in a very short space of time!).    Stir them before mixing in the cream cheese.   Chop the remaining Mars Bar and add that as well. 

Spread the mixture over the biscuit base.   Sieve the cocoa or grate chocolate on the top.    Chill again until set.