Tessa’s Recipe Rundown
Taste: Full of sweet butterscotch and chocolate flavors, sandwiched together a layer of tangy vanilla cheesecake heaven.
Texture: The cookie layers are chewy with a slight crispness on top and a little crunch from the chocolate chips, with a beautifully creamy cheesecake layer in between.
Ease: Involves making a batter + a dough, but each component is simple to make, I promise.
Pros: Beginner-friendly recipe that’s perfect for anyone familiar with cookie baking.
Cons: A little more work than a regular cookie bar – but totally worth it!
Would I make this again? Oh definitely.
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These Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars combine chocolate chip cookie dough with cheesecake, for the perfect two-in-one dessert.
Originally published in 2015, I felt it was high time for a refresh. I revisited the kitchen and meticulously tweaked the recipe to elevate its already delicious flavor into something even better.
I transformed the chocolate chip cookie layer, opting for dark brown sugar instead of light, and adjusting the brown sugar to granulated sugar ratio. These changes not only impart more moisture to the dough but also give the dough an incredible depth of flavor that captivates the senses.
The cheesecake layer also saw a couple of enhancements – a generous boost of vanilla (because, well, vanilla) and a hint of salt to bring everything together.
The result? A deep, rich, butterscotchy, chewy cookie layer that crisps ever so slightly on top, with a tangy vanilla-scented cheesecake layer that’s velvety smooth. It’s seriously heavenly to eat.
Plus, these bars smell DIVINE while they bake. No candle will ever smell this good!
These bars are the perfect bake if you’re new to cheesecake. No water baths or special pans needed, and even if your cheesecake cracks a little, no one will know because there’s cookie dough on top!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars are the perfect combination of two classic desserts, for a dreamy match made in heaven. I hope you love them as much as I do!
Sprinkle of Science
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
How to Make Perfect Cheesecake
- Be sure to use blocks of full-fat, high-quality cream cheese. I like Philadelphia brand.
- Do not use reduced-fat cream cheese, whipped cream cheese, or cream cheese for spreading on a bagel.
- Be sure your cream cheese is COMPLETELY softened to room temperature. This may take a few hours, especially if your kitchen is cold.
- Beat your cream cheese very well with the sugar, until it looks perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Once you add eggs, only beat until combined to prevent sinking or cracking (though the risk of that happening is far smaller with these bars!).
- Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of your bowl as well as your mixer attachment often, to prevent lumps and ensure everything is well incorporated.
How to Layer the Cookie Dough
For the base layer of cookie dough, simply eyeball (or use a digital kitchen scale to measure, if preferred) two-thirds of the cookie dough and place in the parchment-lined pan. Use a rubber spatula to even it out and cover the base of the pan evenly.
For the top layer, I used a small 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop out balls of cookie dough and flatten them between my palms before placing them on top of the cheesecake layer. It doesn’t have to perfectly cover the whole cheesecake layer (coming from a recovering perfectionist)!
Do I Have to Use Dark Brown Sugar?
- To make these Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars extra delicious, we’re using a combination of granulated white sugar and dark brown sugar for a fantastic texture and a butterscotch flavor that’s rich and delicious.
- The molasses in the brown sugar draws in more moisture, making the cookie layer thicker, softer, and chewier.
- You can use light brown sugar instead, but you will lose some of the additional flavor and texture.
- Whatever you do, don’t lower the sugar in this recipe. Find out why here.
Why Are My Chocolate Chip Cookie Layers Dry or Hard?
If you are not measuring your ingredients with a digital kitchen scale, you could accidentally add too much flour causing hard, dry, or cake-like cookie layers. Learn more about how to measure ingredients for perfect results every time here!
Another reason for hard cookie layers could be overbaking due to using the wrong type of pan. Read more about the pan I recommend for these bars just below.
What Pan Do I Need For Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars?
Use a light-colored metal 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Darker metals can dry out the edges before the middle has a chance to bake through. Do NOT use glass, ceramic, or silicone pans for these bars as they will take much longer to bake, which can result in dry edges and underdone middles. Learn more about Glass vs. Metal Baking Pans here.
Can I Halve This Recipe?
Yes! Simply halve all ingredients and bake in a light-colored metal 8-inch square baking pan, baking for about 35-40 minutes.
How to Store Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars?
Yes, but note that this will soften the cookie layers more. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap and store inside an airtight container or freezer bag for up to one month. Defrost overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:
- Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Classic Cheesecake Bars
- Brownie Bottom Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars
- Raspberry Lemonade Cheesecake Bars
- Blondies
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
By: Tessa Arias
5 from 3 votes
Yield: 24 slices
Prep Time: 45 minutes mins
Inactive Time: 3 hours hrs
Cook Time: 47 minutes mins
Total Time: 4 hours hrs 32 minutes mins
Review Print Save
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars take chewy chocolate chip cookie dough and layer it with a creamy, rich, smooth vanilla cheesecake. Two perfect beginner-friendly desserts in one, and every bite is absolute heaven!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Layer:
- 3 cups (380 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 sticks (227 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature (67°F)
- 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at cool room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups (213 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 ounces (453 grams) cream cheese, completely softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at cool room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
For Assembling:
- ¼ cup (43 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt, optional, for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9×13-inch metal baking pan* with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Spray with nonstick spray.
Prepare the cookie dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar until lightened in color and fluffy in texture, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat in the eggs, one a time, until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla, then scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. On low speed, gradually add in the dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Place cookie dough in fridge while you make the cheesecake layer.
Make ahead: Cover and refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 3 days.
Prepare the cheesecake batter:
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl, until completely smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fully combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat in the vanilla and salt. Set aside.
Assemble:
Using a spatula, press about two-thirds of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Pour the cheesecake batter on top. Scoop remaining dough into balls, flatten between your palms, and layer over the cheesecake batter. Don’t worry about making it look perfect. Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
Bake for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until the tops and edges are lightly golden brown.
Remove from oven and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top, if desired. Place pan on wire rack and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight before cutting and serving.
Show us!If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a picture and share it on Instagram with #handletheheat so we can all see!
Recipe Notes
*Cooking times have been tested only for a metal pan, which is our recommended choice for this recipe due to its superior heat conductivity compared to glass or ceramic. The latter will not only take longer to bake, but may burn the edges before the center is cooked through. Metal has the added benefit of being lighter and less fragile as well as producing straighter edges, too!
