Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese (Room temperature; for the cheesecake layer)
• 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; for the cookie layer)
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar (For the cookie layer)
• 0.333 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 cups 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 (Layered in the bars and added on top)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Prepare the cheesecake layer by whisking the cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, cornstarch, sour cream, and granulated sugar together until smooth.

3. 3

   Prepare the cookie dough dry ingredients. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and flaky sea salt, then set the mixture aside.

4. 4

   In a separate bowl, combine the melted, cooled shortening, 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 batter and gently fold until just combined. Do not 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, spreading it across the bottom. Reserve the remaining cookie dough for the topping.

8. 8

   Add a layer of chocolate melting wafers over the cookie dough base.

9. 9

   Pour or spread the cheesecake mixture over the chocolate wafers.

10. 10

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

11. 11

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

12. 12

    Let the bars cool completely before cutting and serving.

Notes

The source does not specify a cooling duration beyond cooling completely before cutting. Chocolate wafer amounts for the internal layer and topping are not divided separately; use the listed total amount between both applications.

Nutrition per serving

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