Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

 

I've been wanting to post this recipe for a while now but I never seem to be able to get any photos of the finished product. It's usually eaten up before I get the chance! This is a fairly simple bar to put together, even though there are three layers to it. Totally worth the few dishes you will have to clean up, IMO. 

You can cheat a bit and use a roll of Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough for the top layer if you don't want to make your own. 

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bar

Ingredients

Bottom Layer

1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup melted butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

Cheesecake Layer

2 - 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

Cookie Dough Layer

1/2 cup butter, softened (can use margarine)

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

pinch salt

1 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9 X 13 pan with parchment paper, set aside. 

Bottom layer - Mix together graham crackers, butter, and brown sugar. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 5 - 8 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside. 

Cheesecake layer - beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in sugar, sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Spread over crumb layer in pan. 

Cookie dough layer - Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 - 4 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add in flour, salt, and chocolate chips. Beat until stiff dough forms. Evenly crumble the dough over the cheesecake layer. It's okay if a bit of the cheesecake shows through in places. 

Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes, rotate pan, then bake another 10 - 15 minutes, until top is lightly golden brown and bar appears set. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before attempting to cut. You can also let it chill in the fridge before cutting. 

This bar has so many flavors and textures that combine in the most amazing way. The buttery, caramelly crust, the smooth cream cheese middle, and the chocolatey cookie top are an unbeatable combo. 

Store them in the fridge after they have cooled. They also freeze very well if you want to make them ahead of time. They might look like a simple square but they are SO FLIPPIN' GOOD!!. 

After school snack or fancy dessert after dinner? 

This can be both, and so much more!