How to tell that the cheesecake cookie bars are baked?

The cookie part should be golden brown. The inner part of the dish might look a bit jiggly, but don't be worried about that. Make sure you do not overcook it, since that can make the cookie crisper and the cheesecake layer dry.

Does the cream cheese need to be softened?

Yes, the cream cheese blends much better and smoother when it is softened and at room temperature. Just let it sit on the counter or place a hot cup over it if you are in a hurry.

Cheesecake Cookie Bars

Name: Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature); 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 1/2 cup white sugar; 2 eggs; 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 cup Chocolate Chips; 8 oz cream cheese (room temp ); 1/2 cup white sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Have you ever made a Cheesecake Cookie Bars? If not, please stop whatever you're doing, go raid your fridge, and then get down to business. They are the best treats ever only second to my famous Slutty Brownie recipe.

Why I Love This Recipe

Layers of homemade cookie dough and cheesecake mixed together results in the most decadent (but easy) Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars! Omg get ready....

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars have been around my house for literally decades!! I can remember the first time one of my aunts made them for us when I was a kid. It was the recipe on the back of the cream cheese box and I just about died. It was heaven. The recipe has gone through a few dozen modifications because nowadays I can ONLY use my most favorite chocolate chip cookie dough recipe in the whole wide world. Which makes these bars even better! Then the cookie dough gets split in half, layered in the bottom of a baking tin, topped with the cheesecake mixture and then dolloped with more cookie dough. HELLO PERFECTION!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Mise-en-place with all the ingredients required to make cheesecake cookie bars.

Unsalted Butter
Brown Sugar
White Sugar
Eggs
Vanilla Extract
All Purpose Flour
Salt
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Chocolate Chips

For the Cheesecake Layer

Cream Cheese
White sugar
Egg
Vanilla Extract

*For the full list of ingredients and directions please see recipe card below

Cookie Dough

A stand mixer bowl with white sugar, brown sugar and unsalted butter.

Step 1: Cream together the butter and sugars in a large stand mixer

A stand mixer bowl with creamed butter and sugar, with eggs and vanilla extract just added.

Step 2: Add the eggs and vanilla, making sure to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl

A stand mixer bowl with partially made cookie dough, and flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda just added.

Step 3: Add the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder and mix on low until everything is incorporated.

A stand mixer bowl with cookie dough with chocolate chips just added.

Step 4: Toss in a handful of the chocolate chips and mix for a quick second. Chill the dough while you make the cheesecake layer.

Cheesecake

A stand mixer bowl with white sugar, one egg, cream cheese and vanilla extract.

Step 1: Whip together the cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla for 3 minutes until everything is evenly combined and smooth.

A 9x13 baking pan lined with tin foil with cookie dough pressed into the bottom of the pan into an even layer.

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with tin foil and spray it with non-stick baking spray. Press ½ of the cookie dough mixture into the bottom of the pan to make 1 even layer.

A 9x13 baking pan lined with tin foil with cookie dough pressed into the bottom of the pan that has a layer of the cheesecake mixture evenly spread on top of it.

Step 3: Spread the cheesecake mixture on top of the cookie dough.

A 9x13 baking pan lined with tin foil with crumbled cookie dough sprinkled all over the cookie dough and cream cheese mixture layers below, and a final layer of chocolate chips sprinkled on top.

Step 4: Crumble and sprinkle the remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake mixture and then sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips.

Step 5: Place it into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the cookie dough is golden brown. The inner part of the dish might look a bit jiggly, but not to fear. Once the Cheesecake Cookie Bars have baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the counter for 30 minutes. Then transfer them to the fridge and cool completely for at least 2 hours. Cut and serve as needed.

You should let these set in the fridge for two hours before serving. Leftovers should be stored in the fridge, for 3-4 days.

You can also freeze these cheescake cookie bars!! Cut them into squares and store in a freezer bag for up to a month.