Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar (for the cheesecake layer)
• 1 tsp cornstarch (for the cheesecake layer)
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract (for the cheesecake layer)
• 2 tbsp sour cream (room temperature; for the cheesecake layer)
• 1 large egg (room temperature; for the cheesecake layer)
• 0.5 cup Chosen Foods shortening (melted and cooled)
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar (for the cookie layer)
• 0.333333 cup granulated sugar (for the cookie layer)
• 1 large egg (room temperature; for the cookie layer)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract (for the cookie layer)
• 1.25 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 0.5 tsp baking soda (for the cookie layer)
• 0.5 tsp flaky sea salt (for the cookie layer)
• 0.75 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for the cookie dough)
• 0.5 cup chocolate melting wafers (used between the layers and on top)
• avocado oil spray (for greasing the pan)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch pan with avocado oil spray, then line it with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Prepare the cheesecake layer. Whisk the room-temperature cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, cornstarch, sour cream, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth.

3. 3

   Prepare the cookie dough dry ingredients. In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and flaky sea salt. Set the mixture aside.

4. 4

   In a separate bowl, combine the melted and cooled shortening, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk for 1–2 minutes, until a paste forms.

5. 5

   Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Gently fold until just combined, taking care not to overmix.

6. 6

   Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and mix them into the dough with a spatula.

7. 7

   Transfer three-quarters of the cookie dough to the prepared pan, reserving the remaining dough for the topping. Add a layer of chocolate melting wafers over the cookie dough.

8. 8

   Pour and spread the cheesecake mixture over the chocolate wafer layer. Add the reserved cookie dough on top, then add some additional chocolate melting wafers.

9. 9

   Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is slightly fudgy.

10. 10

    Let the bars cool completely before cutting and serving.

Notes

The source does not specify the cooling duration or number of bars to cut; servings are estimated as 16 bars from an 8×8-inch pan. The source mentions avocado oil spray for easy release from the pan.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• bars
• baked
• cheesecake
• cookie dough
• chocolate
• vegetarian