Cheesecake Cookie Bars

These cheesecake cookie bars are layered with chocolate chip cookie dough and a creamy vanilla cheesecake filling. An easy decadent dessert!

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 55

Servings:

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

1 cup unsalted butter , softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar , firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt , or table salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 to 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips , reserve some for the top

Cheesecake filling

8 ounces cream cheese , softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes or until nice and creamy. Then mix in 2 eggs and 1 Tablespoon vanilla.
Add 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Mix just until combined. Then fold in about 1 cup chocolate chips. Add more if desired. Refrigerate dough while oven is preheating.

Cheesecake Cookie Bars:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan. Reserve about 2 cups of your cookie dough and press remaining dough evenly into prepared pan.
In a small mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg. and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth, being careful not to over mix. Spread cream cheese mixture over the cookie dough in your pan.
Break reserved dough into small pieces and sprinkle over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over top.
Bake for 35 minutes or until center is almost set and edges are lightly golden. Then let cool in pan. Once cooled, slice into 24 bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Quick tip: If you don't have time to bring the cream cheese to room temperature, you can microwave it on 50% power for about 30 seconds. If you're wanting a shortcut, you can also use a 16 ounce roll of cookie dough.

Mix in's: This recipe is easy to customize based on preference.

Mix of white and dark chocolate.
Use white chocolate and cranberries instead of semi-sweet.
Add in 1/2 cup chopped nuts.

Nutrition