Just when you thought a classic chocolate chip cookie couldn’t get any better, I decided to elevate my dessert game by creating Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars. Combining the rich, creamy texture of cheesecake with the chewy goodness of chocolate chip cookies is a match made in heaven. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the steps to make these decadent treats that will have everyone begging for more.
Before we start, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients to make this delicious dessert:
- For the cookie base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- For the cheesecake layer:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Now that we have everything ready, let’s get into the steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your bars will bake evenly.
- Prepare the baking pan. Use a 9×13 inch baking pan, line it with parchment paper, and lightly grease the paper. This will help you remove the bars easily once they are baked.
- Make the cookie dough. In a large bowl, I creamed together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Then, I added the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. In a separate bowl, I combined the flour, baking soda, and salt before gradually using this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Finally, I folded in the chocolate chips.
- Spread half of the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, pressing it down evenly across the bottom. This will serve as the base for your cheesecake layer.
- Make the cheesecake filling. I mixed the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla until smooth, then added the eggs, beating lightly until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cookie dough layer in the pan, spreading it evenly. I then dropped spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake layer, creating a delightful topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is set. A toothpick inserted should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
- Cool the bars completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into squares for serving. Enjoy!
These Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars are perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to festive celebrations. Your friends and family will love them, and you will feel great knowing you made such an irresistible treat!
