Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars

Enjoy chocolate chip cookies AND cheesecake in these easy to make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars. These delicious cheesecake cookie bars come together in minutes and will be a hit at every party or picnic.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake cookie bars combine two favorite desserts into one easy to hold cookie bar. The combination of chocolate chip cookies and vanilla cheesecake will have you going back for another slice in a hurry.

One of the best thing about these cheesecake cookie bars is that everything bakes all at once. No scooping and baking pans of cookies.  They are always a big hit every time we bring them to dinner parties or picnics.

When I first started making this chewy chocolate chip cookie bar recipe years ago, I used a roll of refrigerated cookie dough. But since I don’t always have that on hand, I started making the cheesecake bars with homemade chocolate chip cookie dough. In my opinion, the homemade ones are better!

Cheesecake bars are also so easy to customize.  You can change up the cookie dough with different chips, nuts, sprinkles, or candies. One of the favorites in our house are these Oreo Cheesecake Cookie Bars.

Ingredients for Cheesecake Cookie Bars

You will need some basic pantry ingredients to make these cookie dough cheesecake bars. Each layer comes together easily, so you can make the cheesecake bars in minutes.

For the Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Butter & Shortening – the combination of fats gives the cookies flavor and keeps them soft
• Sugars – using granulated and brown sugar sweetens the dough and keeps the cookie layer soft and chewy
• Eggs – binds the ingredients together
• Vanilla & Salt – for flavor
• Baking Soda – allows the dough to rise properly
• Flour – stabilizes the dough. Make sure to measure it using the spoon and sweep method, so you don’t add too much.
• Chocolate Chips – white, milk, semi-sweet, or dark are great in these cookie bars. Mint chips would be awesome too.

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream Cheese – make sure to set the block out ahead of time, so it is soft and ready to go.
• Sugar – granulated sugar sweetens the cheesecake filling and helps smooth out the cream cheese 
• Egg – binds the ingredients together
• Vanilla – gives the cheesecake a good flavor
• Flour – thickens it and keeps it from cracking

BRUCREW TIP:  Want to save time making these cheesecake cookie bars? Use an 18 ounce roll of pre-made refrigerated cookie dough instead of making your own. 

How to make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars

These cookie dough cookie bars are a great mash up of chocolate chip cookies and creamy cheesecake. The cookie crust makes it easy to hold each piece making this a great picnic or potluck dessert.

1. Preheat the oven and spray a 8×8 pan with nonstick spray.
2. Beat the butter, shortening, and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again.
3. Add the dry ingredients and beat until a soft dough comes together. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Press HALF the chocolate chip cookie dough into the prepared pan.
5. In another bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the egg, flour, and vanilla and mix again.
6. Pour the vanilla cheesecake on top of the cookie dough crust. 
7. Crumble the remaining chocolate chip cookie dough on top of the cheesecake layer and bake.
8. Let the cream cheese cookie bars cool for an hour on the counter, then refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until chilled all the way through.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store these cheesecake cookie bars?

Keep the chocolate chip cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Can you freeze cream cheese cookie bars?

Yes, you can.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.

Other Cheesecake Cookie Bars

• Milky Way Cheesecake Bars
• Peanut Butter Cheesecake Squares
• Key Lime Cream Cheese Cookies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookie Bars

More Easy Cookie Bars

• Blonde Brownies
• Congo Bars
• Funfetti Bars
• Baked Peanut Butter Bars
• Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
• Take 5 Candy Bar
• Reeses Peanut Butter Bars

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Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Yield: 16 squares

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 42 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes

 A creamy layer of cheesecake and a chewy cookie crust will have you reaching for more of these Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars in a hurry. 

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Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups chocolate chips

For the Cheesecake

• 1 - 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick spray.
2. Beat the butter, shortening, and sugars until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again.
3. Stir together the baking soda, salt, and flour. Slowly beat into the butter mixture until a soft dough comes together.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips and chunks gently. Press half the cookie dough in the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add the egg and flour and mix again. Pour on top of the cookie dough in the pan.
6. Crumble the remaining dough on top of the cheesecake gently. Bake for 42-44 minutes.
7. Remove and cool for one hour on the counter. Refrigerate until chilled completely.

Notes

* You can also use an 18 ounce roll of refrigerated cookie dough in place of the homemade dough. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 442Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 170mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 2gSugar: 36gProtein: 5g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

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*The post for these Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars was originally published in May 2009. The photos were updated June 2017 and the post was republished on February 25, 2019.