These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars are the perfect crowd pleasing dessert recipe with a classic graham cracker crust, decadent middle cheesecake layer and a golden chocolate chip cookie top.
It’s no secret everyone loves chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake. Who says you have to decide? This delicious cheesecake bar recipe combines everyone’s favorite for an easy and unique dessert option that is sure to please.
Don’t be fooled by the layers, these cheesecake bars are so easy to make. You might want to save yourself some time and just make two batches cause the first will be gone in minutes!
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Easy bars that combine two favorite desserts into one- what’s not to love!
- An easy treat – Because we use a pre-made cookie dough, these bars take no time at all to whip up.
- Portable – Making bars is a great way to easily transport desserts to parties, get togethers or picnics.
- Loved by all – This is a dessert that is going to be loved by everyone who tries it, making it perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
One of my favorite things about these easy dessert bars are that they require minimal ingredients despite how complicated they look. To make this recipe all you need is:
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: These are used for the crust. You can use gluten-free if needed . Buy pre-crushed crumbs or make your own by crumbling standard graham crackers in an airtight plastic bag with a rolling pin or in the food processor.
- Sugar: You will need the sugar for both the crust and the cream cheese layer.
- Melted Butter: Melted butter helps keep the graham cracker crust together. I find the amount needed fluctuates sometimes, keep reading for more on this. Aim for unsalted butter since the cookie dough already carries some salt.
- Egg– This serves as a binder to hold the cheesecake layer together and also make it bake up nice and fluffy.
- Vanilla: Vanilla is used in the cream cheese layer for a classic, creamy cheesecake flavor, but you can swap it out for almond or imitation butter.
- Refrigerated Cookie Dough: Shhh! Don’t tell anyone but this is the secret for making this recipe beyond easy. You can make homemade cookie dough if you want, but since we are making the crust and cheesecake layer from scratch I think it is perfectly fine to take a short cut with the topping.
Variations
There are plenty of ways you can make these chocolate chip cheesecake bars your own! Here are a few suggestions.
- Gluten free. Make this recipe allergen friendly by choosing gluten free grahams and cookie dough!
- Double the cheesecake. If you want to make the cream cheese layer extra thick, you can double the cheesecake layer for extra decadence.
- Cookie dough. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, change things up! Try monster cookie dough, chocolate cookie dough, peanut butter cookie dough or a chocolate graham crust. You could even make sugar cookie bars.
How to Make Cheesecake Bars
It couldn’t be easier to make these delicious bars!
- Make the crust. Start by preparing the graham cracker crust. You don’t even need a mixer. Just use a fork and combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until the mixture can be easily pressed with a fork and hold it’s shape.
- Bake crust. Press the graham cracker crust into a 9×9 baking sheet lined with parchment. Use a spoon, spatula, measuring cup or bottom of a glass to press the crust firmly into the baking pan. Bake the crust for five minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
- Make cheesecake filling. While the crust is baking, use an electric mixer to prepare the cheesecake filling. It’s super important to use room temperature ingredients for this so the cheesecake layer is smooth. Beat the cream cheese well before adding other ingredients.
- Add cheesecake to crust. Take a spoon and drop dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust. This will make it easier to smooth out over the graham cracker layer and prevent the cream cheese from pulling the crumbs up.
- Sprinkle cookie dough over cheesecake. Finally, take the refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough and crumble it over the top. I like to leave some spots open so you can visually see the cream cheese layer. Remember when the bars bake, the dough will rise and spread a little bit. So keep that in mind as you are placing your dough.
- Bake and allow to cool fully before slicing. Using parchment makes them easy to lift out of the pan. Chilling also helps the graham cracker crust hold together into perfect bars.
Ice Cream Sundaes
If you really want to take it up a notch, make these bad boys into the ultimate easy cheesecake ice cream sundae! Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Top with fudge, homemade caramel sauce or even raspberry sauce. I also like candied walnuts. And of course, whipped cream.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cream Cheese Bars
For the perfect chocolate chip cookie bars, make sure to follow these easy steps.
- Bake time. Different cookie doughs cook at different paces. Keep a close eye on the cookie dough so you can remove it or place a loose sheet of aluminum foil over top to prevent burning. The cheesecake and cookie layer need to be set before removing.
- Use the parchment paper, trust me. The bars will cut and serve so much better by using a liner in a pan. Ungreased baking pans and graham cracker crusts do not mix! If you don’t use parchment, let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing.
- Cool before slicing. I know it’s hard, but wait for the bars to cool before slicing. Ideally, in the fridge. The longer that bottom layer sets the better chance you have at crisp clean slices.
Storage & Freezing
How to Store This Cookie Bar Recipe
Because these bars contain cheesecake, they are best stored in the fridge. For ultimate freshness be sure to wrap or store in an airtight container. I like to cut the bars and wrap each one in saran wrap so they don’t dry out.
They are best enjoyed within 5 days of baking. Set it out at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to take the chill off.
Can I Freeze These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
You can also freeze the bars. I would recommend cutting the bars, then wrapping each one in plastic wrap before placing in a freezer safe airtight container.
More Chocolate Chip Desserts
We love all things chocolate in this house. And if you do too, here are some of our favorite desserts.
Edible Cookie Dough Recipe
Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies
No Bake Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
CRUST
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1 tablespoons white sugar
CHEESECAKE LAYER
- 8 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 1 egg , room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
COOKIE TOPPING
- 8 ounces refrigerated cookie dough
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Prepare a 9×9 baking pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and lining with parchment paper.
Make Graham Cracker Crust:
- In a small bowl, prepare the graham cracker crust by using a fork to combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Add more melted butter if the crust won't hold together.
- Press graham cracker crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for five minutes in the preheated oven.
Make Cheesecake Filling:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, prepare the cheesecake filling by beating the cream cheese well. Add the sugar, egg and vanilla until fully combined.
- Spread the cheesecake layer over the graham cracker crust.
Cookie Layer:
- Crumble the cookie dough over the cheesecake layer. It doesn't need to be perfectly smooth, it will flatten while baking.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the cookie layer is golden brown and the bars are cooked through.
- Allow to cook before lifting the parchment out of the pan and slicing.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Nutrition
These are such a delicious dessert or snack, my kids absolutely adore them and they are so easy to make too!
Oh my goodness, what a treat. All of my favourite things in one bite. Chocolate chip cheesecake bars have a big thumbs up here.
These were so decadent and delicious! Can’t go wrong with chocolate and cheesecake!
These are heavenly and so addicting! My hubby, daughter, and I love how they turned out and were such a big hit! I’ll definitely be making these again!
I am all over making these! The whole family will love them!