Description
Sweet layers of creamy cheesecake mingle with classic chocolate chip cookie magic in these irresistible bars. Rich, indulgent dessert squares promise pure deliciousness that you will absolutely crave with every single bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sugars and Fats:
- 2/3 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring optimal baking temperature for the cheesecake bars.
- Protect the 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating overhanging edges for easy removal and lightly coating with nonstick spray.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, whisking thoroughly to eliminate any potential lumps.
- Cream butter and both sugars in a separate large bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Introduce egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, blending until completely integrated and smooth.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender dough texture.
- Delicately fold chocolate chips into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer approximately two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, pressing firmly and evenly to create a compact base layer.
- Prepare the cheesecake filling by beating cream cheese until smooth, then gradually adding sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Carefully spread the creamy cheesecake mixture over the cookie dough base, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the cheesecake layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the center appears slightly set but still soft.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for at least 2 hours to firm up.
- Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper edges, slice into squares, and serve chilled.
Notes
- Softening butter perfectly requires leaving it at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes, creating an ideal creamy texture without melting.
- Use room temperature egg to ensure smoother mixing and more consistent cookie dough texture when combining ingredients.
- Opt for high-quality chocolate chips like Ghirardelli or Guittard for richer, more intense chocolate flavor in the bars.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps prevent excessive spreading and creates a chewier, more structured cookie base.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg