Name: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 3 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 170 g unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly – 1 ½ stick / ¾ cup / 6oz); 360 g plain flour (all purpose flour – 2 ¾ cups); 1 teaspoon baking soda (bicarb soda); ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup light brown sugar (200g/7oz); ⅓ cup white granulated sugar (70g); 2 large eggs (room temperature); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups chocolate chips of choice (360g); 250 g cream cheese (softened – 8 ¾oz); ¼ cup white granulated sugar (50g / ~1¾oz); 1 large egg (room temperature); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ¼ cup sour cream (room temperature – 60ml)

Print Recipe· 4.3 from 6 reviews

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars Recipe is the perfect indulgent treat that combines the best of two classic desserts into one sensational bite. Imagine the rich creaminess of cheesecake layered between gooey, buttery chocolate chip cookie dough, all baked to golden perfection. This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser and a fun twist if you love both cookies and cheesecake but can’t settle on just one. Once you try these bars, you’ll understand why they’ve quickly become a favorite to bake and share with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows various baking ingredients arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. There is a white bowl filled with dark and milk chocolate chips on the top left, next to a block of yellow butter and two brown eggs on the top right. Below, there is a large white bowl filled with white flour. To the left of the flour, a clear glass bowl holds light brown sugar, while another clear bowl contains white granulated sugar below it. Beside the sugar, there is a small bowl with a white creamy substance, and another small bowl contains a golden liquid, likely vanilla extract. There are three small glass bowls with white powders, probably baking soda, salt, and another ingredient, placed near a clear bowl holding cream cheese cubes and one more brown egg near the bottom right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are straightforward but absolutely essential for achieving the perfect balance of textures and flavors in your bars. Each component plays a crucial role, from the richness of butter to the smooth tang of cream cheese, ensuring every bite is a delightful experience.

Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled: Provides that rich, buttery base which makes the cookie dough tender and flavorful.
Plain flour (all-purpose flour): Gives structure to the cookie layer without making it too dense.
Baking soda: Helps the cookie dough rise slightly for a soft yet chewy texture.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel-like depth to the cookie dough.
White granulated sugar: Offers the right sweetness while contributing to the lightness of the dough and cheesecake.
Large eggs, room temperature: Bind ingredients together and enrich the batter’s texture.
Vanilla extract: Adds warm aromatic notes that complement both cookie and cheesecake layers.
Chocolate chips: The star players that bring melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
Cream cheese, softened: Creates the luxurious cheesecake layer with smoothness and tang.
Sour cream, room temperature: Makes the cheesecake layer extra creamy and tender.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) or 350°F, and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This setup ensures your bars bake evenly and lift out cleanly without sticking, a small but crucial step for beautiful presentation and easy serving.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. This blend forms the backbone of your cookie dough, ensuring it develops the perfect chewiness and structure without any bitter aftertaste from uneven baking powder distribution.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the melted butter with both light brown and white sugars on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes. This process aerates the butter and sugar mixture, lightening the dough both in color and texture, which makes all the difference in the final bar.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth, scraping down the bowl’s sides as needed. These ingredients enrich the dough and bring out a wonderful complexity of flavor that will remind you of classic chocolate chip cookies.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet

Add your flour mixture gradually, mixing until about 80% combined. Overmixing can make tough bars, so stop once you see most of the flour incorporated. Then fold in nearly all the chocolate chips, reserving a handful for the top. This folding step ensures the chips distribute evenly without breaking down the dough’s delicate structure.

Step 6: Prepare the Cheesecake Layer

Beat softened cream cheese and sugar in a bowl until smooth and creamy, about one minute. Then add the remaining egg, sour cream, and vanilla, mixing until everything is silky. This cheesecake batter is the luscious heart of your bars, providing that irresistible tang and velvety texture.

Step 7: Assemble Your Bars

Scatter just over half your cookie dough in small clumps evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. Press it down as flat as you can, so you create one solid cookie base. Then spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cookie layer. Drop the remaining cookie dough in flattened clumps atop the cheesecake layer—don’t worry if there are gaps, that rustic look is part of the charm. Top everything with the reserved chocolate chips.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake your bars in the preheated oven for 32-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. If the bars start to brown too quickly, cover lightly with foil to prevent burning, especially in the last 15 minutes. This ensures juicy cheesecake and perfectly baked cookie dough coexist seamlessly.

Step 9: Cool and Chill

Allow your bars to cool completely in the pan before refrigerating for at least 3 hours, or better yet, overnight. Chilling lets the flavors meld beautifully and makes cutting clean squares easier. This step may require patience, but the result is well worth the wait!

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars Recipe

A square white baking tray lined with parchment paper holds a thick layer of baked chocolate chip cookie dough, golden brown with visible chocolate chips through the top right corner. A smooth, creamy, off-white frosting is being spread on the cookie layer with a silver spatula held by a woman's hand from the right side. The frosting covers just over half the cookie layer, showing a soft, swirled texture. A dark gray textured cloth lies to the left side on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To give your bars that extra wow factor, sprinkle some sea salt flakes or drizzle melted chocolate on top just before serving. A dusting of powdered sugar can also add a delicate, pretty touch. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream make for lovely seasonal accents as well.

Side Dishes

Pair these luscious bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a refreshing berry compote to balance the richness. A hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk never goes amiss either, making your dessert moment cozy and complete.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the bars into different shapes or layering them in a trifle glass with whipped cream and brownie bits for a playful twist. They also work beautifully as dessert bars at a party—arranging them on a wooden board with assorted nuts and chocolate pieces invites fun sharing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This keeps both the cookie base and cheesecake layer fresh, maintaining the perfect texture and rich flavor that make this Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars Recipe so irresistible.

Freezing

You can freeze these bars for longer storage—wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before serving for best results.

Reheating

If you prefer them warm, reheat individual bars gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven. This revives the melty chocolate chips and soft cookie texture without drying out the cheesecake layer.

FAQs

Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Whether you prefer dark, milk, white chocolate, or even a mix, the bars will turn out delicious. Just be mindful that darker chocolates offer a richer flavor, while white chocolate adds sweetness.

Do I have to use sour cream in the cheesecake layer?

Sour cream adds moisture and tang to the cheesecake. You can substitute it with Greek yogurt or crème fraîche if needed, but this minor tweak may slightly change the texture and taste.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just ensure it contains xanthan gum for proper structure. Baking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on the bars as they bake.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries at all! You can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a sturdy spoon or spatula. Just make sure to beat the sugar and butter well to get that light texture for your cookie dough.

How do I get clean slices without the bars crumbling?

Chilling the bars for several hours or overnight is the key. Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat squares. Warm them slightly if needed before serving for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars Recipe is a total game-changer and guaranteed to brighten up any dessert table or cozy night in. It’s wonderfully rich, comforting, and so satisfying, you’ll find yourself coming back for seconds. Give it a try and watch how quickly these bars become a beloved classic in your kitchen!