If you love Reese's, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookie Bars will be your new favorite dessert. Chewy chocolate cookies layered with creamy peanut butter cheesecake and topped with a chocolate drizzle make these extraordinary.
The post for chocolate peanut butter cheesecake cookie bars was first published in August 2013. It was updated and then republished in March 2025.
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Reese's Cookie Bars
Years ago, my husband and our oldest son ran a Warrior Dash together. It was one of the most fun (although challenging) things I have ever done.
After walking through mud, climbing walls, and questioning my life choices during the obstacle run, I couldn't wait for a sweet dessert. Thank goodness I had a pan of these Reese's cookie bars waiting in the fridge.
I jazzed up these cheesecake cookie bars with chocolate and peanut butter. They're also loaded with peanut butter cup chunks. I don’t know what it is about Reese’s, but they always seem to sneak into my recipes!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Whether you're treating yourself after a long day or need a peanut butter and chocolate fix, these bars have you covered!
- The Best of Both Worlds – These bars mix chewy chocolate cookies with creamy peanut butter cheesecake. Now, you don’t have to choose between two favorite desserts.
- Loaded with Chocolate and Candy – Peanut butter cups and chocolate chips give these cookie bars a sweet, delicious taste!
- Easy to Make – No fancy techniques or equipment are needed! Just mix, layer, and bake.
- Perfect for Any Occasion —These bars are always popular, whether at a party, bake sale, or just a night out for something sweet.
Sara says, "My whole family loves them! Definitely finger-licking worthy 🙂 I will definitely be making them again!!!"
Ingredient Notes
To make these cookie cheesecake bars, you will need some basic pantry ingredients. Each layer is easy to prepare, so you can make them in just a few minutes.
- Butter and Shortening: The combination of fats gives the cookies flavor and keeps them moist.
- Sugars: Brown and white sugar sweetens the dough and keeps the cookie layer soft and chewy.
- Large Eggs: They give the dough moisture and bind the ingredients together.
- Baking Soda: Allows the dough to rise correctly.
- All Purpose Flour: This will stabilize the dough. Measure it using the spoon-and-sweep method so you don't add too much.
- Cocoa Powder: This recipe uses dark cocoa powder. You can also use regular chocolate powder.
- Cream Cheese: For the best flavor, use full-fat cream cheese. Set the block out ahead of time so it is softened.
- Peanut Butter: Our favorite peanut butter for recipes is JIF. Feel free to use your favorite brand, but I do not recommend a natural or oily brand. If you like nuts, use crunchy instead.
How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Making these is super easy. Mix everything, layer it, and pop it in the oven. Don’t stress about getting it perfect; a bit of cheesecake showing through adds to the deliciousness!
Make the cookie dough. In a large bowl, beat the butter, shortening, and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix again. Stir together the salt, baking soda, flour, and cocoa powder. Slowly add to the wet ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
Prepare the cheesecake layer. Beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg and peanut butter and then beat again. Stir in the chopped peanut butter cups by hand.
Assemble the bars. Press half the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Pour the peanut butter cheesecake filling on the dough in the pan. Take spoonfuls of the leftover cookie dough and flatten them in your hands. Place gently on top of the cheesecake batter.
Bake and cool. Place pan in a preheated oven and bake until set. Remove and cool on a wire rack for at least one hour. Then, refrigerate until firm before adding the melted chocolate topping.
Storage Recommendations
In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-6 days.
In the Freezer: Freeze individual cheesecake bars in small freezer bags or wrap the whole pan of cookies in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for 1-2 months. Place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw before serving.
Tips and Tricks
- To prevent the bars from sticking, spray the baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- If you want thicker cheesecake cookie bars, press the dough into an 8x8 pan and increase the baking time to around 50 minutes.
- Add more peanut butter flavor by using peanut butter chips instead of the chocolate chips in the cookie layer.
- When serving your decadent dessert, use a sharp knife to make a clean cut for each bar.
- Garnish each bar with Reese's Pieces for a little extra pizzazz.
More Easy Cheesecake Desserts
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies
- Apple Cheesecake Pie
- Lemon Cheesecake Bars
- Oreo Cheesecake Cookie Bars
- Blackberry Cheesecake Pie
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Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Dark chocolate cookie bars with a layer of peanut butter cheesecake baked inside makes a great dessert for any dinner.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup shortening
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
For the Cheesecake
- 1 - 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 12 Reese's peanut butter cups, frozen and chopped
For the Topping
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon shortening
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, shortening, and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again.
- Stir together the salt, baking soda, flour, and cocoa powder. Slowly add to the butter mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
- Press half the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the egg and peanut butter and beat again.
- Stir in the chopped Reese's peanut butter cups by hand. Pour over the top of the dough in the pan.
- Take spoonfuls of the leftover cookie dough and flatten them in your hands. Gently place them on top of the cheesecake. Bake for 30 minutes. Let them cool for 1-2 hours, then refrigerate until completely cooled. Cut into 24 bars.
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat for 15 seconds if needed.
- Spoon the melted chocolate into a plastic baggie and cut one tip off. Drizzle the chocolate over the tops of the cheesecake bars, let it set, and then keep it refrigerated.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 374Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 171mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 2gSugar: 26gProtein: 6g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Carolyn B
I just made these-and I came up shy on the dough for the top-i weighed it and then divided and weighed again-other than that everything else was easy peasy-the house smells like a chocolate factory-My knife came out with batter-but hoping as it cools it will set-i had to use a mix of butter-flavored crisco and regular as that was all i had-used semi-sweet chips and regular cocoa as hubby does not like dark chocolate-thank you for a yummy recipe-not sure if i will put the drizzle on as it smells super rich-lol
Jocelyn
The topping doesn't completely cover the top. Some of the cheesecake showed through mine too. The bars will set as they cool and will set up completely after they chill. I hope you enjoy the bars!
carolyn b
Well they disappeared so I am making more today-these are going in the freezer as they are a christmas gift-if they are not frozen I fear they will be gone in seconds-I gave 2 to our rural mail carrier and she said she LIKED them WAYYY too much--Thank you for an awesome and easy recipe
Alyson
These bars are amazing! My family keeps requesting them instead of birthday cake. They are definitely a winner.
Sam
Looks amazing but no one likes dark chocolate in family. Can I use semi-sweet or milk chocolate and just regular cocoa powder? Same measurements?
Jocelyn
Yes, you can just use regular cocoa powder in place of the dark cocoa powder. I hope your family enjoys them!
Sara
Just made these today for Superbowl Sunday!! Taste like a chocolate explosion in my mouth... WOW!! So rich and gooey, and you are right that they make you crave a cold glass of milk. I used milk chocolate ingredients instead of dark because of what I had on hand, and the result was great. My whole family loves them! Definitely finger-licking worthy 🙂 I will definitely be making them again!!!
Norma Guillory
what size of peanut butter cups did you use?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I used the regular sized Reese's. Enjoy the bars!
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper
These look so good. The run sounds like so much fun!
Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil
Congrats on your run, and this amazing creation:0) Looks soooo good!
Liz Fourez
Seriously, you are the cheesecake creation queen!! These sounds amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Liz!! 😉 I love me some cheesecake, that's for sure!! Lol!
Tonia@thegunnysack
Yum! It's got everything that is good!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, yes it does!! 😉 Thanks Tonia!!
capturing joy with kristen duke
I love a dense and hearty bar---yum!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, me too!! 😉 Thanks Kristen!!
Amy
Oh My Good-ness, Jocelyn!! Found your site via +Chef Dennis Littley (thanks to G+!) and just spent 45 minutes pouring over all your delicious, amazing recipes. I'm not sure which I'm going to devour more - your recipes or your food photography! Both are top-notch!! Keep up the great work - it's a joy to find you and share your beautiful work. 🙂
Cheers,
Amy 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much, Amy!!! I love getting super sweet comments like this from fabulous readers like you!! It totally makes me day! 😉
Theresa
Peanut butter, chocolate, cheesecake and cookies altogether? Now that is decadent. You have me thinking about dessert and I have just finished breakfast!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thank so muc Theresa!! 😉
Trish - Mom On Timeout
I'd definitely skip the mud and go straight for these bars - they look amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Trish! Haha, quite a few times during the race, I felt that same way!! 😉