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These Cookie Lovers Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate treat for anyone who can’t decide on just one kind of cookie. Packed with three types of cookies—homemade chocolate chip, Chips Ahoy, and Oreos—and topped with a creamy cheesecake layer tinted a fun shade of blue, they make a showstopping dessert that’s perfect for potlucks or birthday parties. It’s a sweet celebration of cookies in every bite, guaranteed to please any cookie monster.
I first baked these bars for a friend’s birthday, and everyone couldn’t stop talking about how fun and delicious they were. Now they’re a requested staple whenever we have a party.
Ingredients
For the crust
- Cooking spray: grease the pan thoroughly and prevent sticking
- Butter: softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a tender crumb
- Packed brown sugar: adds moisture and a rich caramel note
- Granulated sugar: for balanced sweetness
- One large egg: to bind everything together
- Pure vanilla extract: for warmth and depth of flavor
- All-purpose flour: provides structure, fresh and well-sifted is best for even mixing
- Kosher salt: to enhance all the sweet flavors
- Semisweet chocolate chips: give classic chocolate richness and little bursts in every bite
For the cheesecake
- Cream cheese: softened ensures a smooth, creamy texture without lumps
- Sour cream: adds tang and keeps the cheesecake moist
- Granulated sugar: for sweetness and smooth consistency
- Large eggs: help set the cheesecake and give it firmness with a delicate texture
- Pure vanilla extract: lifts the cheesecake flavor
- Kosher salt: balances the sweetness and deepens flavor
- Blue food coloring: is optional but makes the cheesecake layer eye-catching
- Mini Chips Ahoy: provide crunch and sweet cookie flavor on top
- Mini Oreos: add their signature chocolate and cream layers as a fun topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9 by 9 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and leaving a couple inches of overhang on the sides. Grease the parchment well with cooking spray to make removing the bars later easy.
- Mix the crust dough:
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and both sugars. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined and fluffy. Add the flour and kosher salt, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Gently fold in the chocolate chips by hand to avoid overmixing.
- Bake the crust:
- Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan making sure it reaches the edges. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit as the crust bakes to prepare for the cheesecake layer.
- Prepare the cheesecake batter:
- In a large bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps. Add eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract and salt, beating just until combined. Mix in blue food coloring a few drops at a time to reach your desired shade.
- Assemble and bake:
- Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the baked crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Scatter the mini Chips Ahoy and mini Oreos evenly on the cheesecake layer. Bake the entire pan for about 30 minutes or until the cheesecake just slightly jiggles in the center.
- Cool and chill:
- Turn off the oven and prop the door open gently, letting the cheesecake bars cool slowly in the oven for an hour. Then transfer to the fridge and chill for at least four hours or overnight to let it fully set.
- Cut and serve:
- Use the parchment overhang to lift the cheesecake from the pan onto a cutting board. Slice into bars of your preferred size and enjoy.
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One of my favorite parts is picking out the Oreos for this recipe. Mint Oreos especially bring a festive flair, but peanut butter or chocolate-covered varieties really shake things up, Baking this is always a hit with my family, it became our go-to whenever we wanted something different from regular cheesecake or brownies.
Storage Tips
Store these cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh up to five days. You can also wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Ingredient Substitutions
Butter can be swapped for margarine if needed but real butter yields better flavor. You can use any flavor of Oreos or similar sandwich cookies on top, including gluten-free varieties if needed. If you don’t have mini Chips Ahoy, crush regular Chips Ahoy into smaller bits for the topping. The blue food coloring can also be replaced with another color or omitted entirely.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these bars chilled as they taste best cold and firm. They pair nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a party, consider drizzling melted chocolate or caramel sauce on top for an extra indulgent touch.
Cultural Context
Cheesecake bars blend the creamy American classic with cookie crusts, blending comfort food textures in one bite. The addition of iconic cookie brands like Chips Ahoy and Oreos taps into nostalgic flavors for many people growing up in the U.S. They offer a playful dessert twist perfect for casual family gatherings or celebrations.
Pro Tips
Make sure to soften your cream cheese and butter fully for smooth batters with no lumps. Do not skip cooling the bars slowly in the oven with the door ajar, it prevents cracking on top. Don’t be afraid to customize cookie varieties on top — this is the perfect recipe to experiment with your favorite cookies.
Commonly Asked Questions
- → Can I use full-size cookies instead of mini ones?
Yes, simply crush larger cookies into smaller pieces before adding them to the cheesecake layer to ensure even distribution.
- → Is the blue color necessary for the bars?
No, the blue hue is optional and mainly for a fun visual effect. You can skip it or swap it for color that fits your celebration theme.
- → What can I substitute for blue food coloring?
You can replace blue coloring with natural dyes or omit it entirely without affecting flavor or texture.
- → Can different Oreo flavors be used in the topping?
Absolutely! Mint, peanut butter, or holiday-themed Oreos all complement the creamy layer well, so feel free to experiment.
- → How long should the bars chill before serving?
It's best to refrigerate the bars at least four hours or overnight to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.