Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate dessert mash-up—chewy cookie base, creamy cheesecake filling, and more chocolate chips sprinkled throughout. I love how these bars combine the best of both worlds: the comfort of a chocolate chip cookie and the richness of a cheesecake. They’re easy to slice, serve, and always the first thing to disappear at any gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s simple to make but feels like a bakery-worthy treat. The textures are perfect together: a soft, golden cookie crust, a smooth and tangy cheesecake center, and a gooey cookie topping that melts in your mouth. Whether I’m making them for a party, potluck, or just a weekend dessert, these bars always hit the sweet spot.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cookie Layers:
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Unsalted butter, softened
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Brown sugar
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Granulated sugar
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Eggs
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Vanilla extract
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All-purpose flour
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Cheesecake Layer:
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Cream cheese, softened
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Granulated sugar
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Egg
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Vanilla extract
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
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In a large bowl, I cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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I beat in the eggs and vanilla, then stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. I fold in the chocolate chips.
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I press about two-thirds of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
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In a separate bowl, I beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
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I pour the cheesecake mixture over the cookie crust and spread it evenly.
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I crumble the remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake layer and lightly press it down.
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I bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
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I let the bars cool completely, then chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before slicing.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 16 bars.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 35–40 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours
Total time: about 3 hours
Variations
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I sometimes use mini chocolate chips or a mix of dark and milk chocolate for added texture.
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Swapping in peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips changes the flavor profile deliciously.
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I’ve added a layer of crushed Oreos under the cheesecake for extra crunch.
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Drizzling with caramel or chocolate sauce after baking makes them even more indulgent.
Storage/Reheating
I store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To serve, I bring them to room temperature or enjoy them chilled. They also freeze well—just wrap each bar individually and freeze for up to 2 months.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
Yes, I’ve used store-bought dough in a pinch—just make sure you have enough for both the base and the topping.
Do these bars need to be refrigerated?
Yes, because of the cheesecake layer, I keep them refrigerated until serving.
How do I know when they’re done baking?
The top should be golden and the center should be set. I give the pan a gentle shake—if it’s no longer jiggly, it’s ready.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, I use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and make sure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
What’s the best way to cut clean slices?
I chill the bars fully, then use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts.
Conclusion
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert that delivers everything I love in one bite: creamy, chewy, chocolatey goodness. Whether I’m making them ahead for a special event or just treating myself to something sweet, these bars never disappoint. They’re simple to make, easy to share, and absolutely irresistible.
Print
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling)
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars combine a chewy cookie base with a creamy cheesecake filling and a gooey chocolate chip topping. These layered bars are easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for parties, potlucks, or anytime dessert cravings.
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Layers:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease lightly.
- Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Press 2/3 of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over cookie crust.
- Crumble remaining cookie dough on top and lightly press down.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden on top and center is set.
- Cool completely, then chill in fridge for at least 2 hours before slicing.
Notes
- Use mini or mixed chocolate chips for variety.
- Swap in peanut butter or butterscotch chips for flavor variations.
- Add a crushed Oreo layer under the cheesecake for crunch.
- Drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce after baking for extra indulgence.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
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