CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE BARS

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These chocolate chip cheesecake bars with an Oreo cookie crust are easy to make. They’re rich and delicious, like squares of chocolate heaven. Serve these luscious, decadent dessert bars for birthdays and special occasions.

PIN CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE BARS

Rich, moist and dense, these luxurious treats taste like they came from a European bakery. As you make them, your kitchen is filled with a wonderful chocolaty aroma. The anticipation of enjoying them is so exciting!

Chocolate cheesecake bars are easy to transport to holiday gatherings and potlucks year round. Take the slab in the baking pan. On location, slice them into squares. To feed a crowd, cut them into mini cheesecake bites.

To make these dessert squares extra special, top each serving with a small piece of chocolate. Favorites include See’s Candies, Ferrero Rocher, or Lindt truffles. They’ll look so elegant. Like extravagant restaurant-style desserts.

INGREDIENTS

This easy recipe comes together with basic refrigerator and pantry staples.

OREO CRUST

• Oreo chocolate cookie crumbs*
• Salted butter

*NOTE: At the market, look for this product in the baking aisle. It’s a box of pre-crushed Oreo cookies ready to go. In the USA it’s labeled “Oreo Chocolate Cookie Crumbs”. In Canada: “Oreo Baking Crumbs.”

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE LAYER

• Semi-sweet chocolate baking bar OR semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Heavy cream
• Cream cheese (bricks not tubs)
• Granulated sugar
• Sour cream
• Cocoa powder
• Pure vanilla extract
• Large eggs

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

Missing an ingredient for these chocolate chip cheesecake bars? Don’t put on your shoes and head to the market. Instead, head to your fridge or pantry. Check for these easy ingredient swaps.

It’s convenient and money-saving to use ingredients you already have on hand!

• OREO BAKING CRUMBS: Crush whole Oreo cookies (no need to scrape out the middle) in a food processor. Or make your own homemade chocolate cookie crumbs from basic pantry items.
• BUTTER: Use margarine instead.
• CREAM CHEESE: If you’re low on cream cheese, use half cream cheese and half mascarpone cheese.
• HEAVY CREAM: This is an important ingredient for rich chocolate chip cheesecake bars. But you can also use whole milk. In a pinch, try mascarpone cheese. Thin it out with milk until it’s the consistency of heavy cream.
• SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE BAKING BAR: Use your favorite high-quality baking chocolate or chocolate chips. I prefer the Ghirardelli brand. You can also use Baker’s premium baking bars.
• GRANULATED SUGAR: The best sub is brown sugar. It will lend a light caramel flavor to the recipe which can be very delightful.
• SOUR CREAM: Sub with whole-milk plain Greek yogurt.
• VANILLA EXTRACT: Sub with bourbon, brandy or amber rum.
• FLAKY SEA SALT GARNISH: Salt enhances the flavor of chocolate. If you don’t have this ingredient on hand, try a different garnish like chocolate curls, or like whipped cream with grated chocolate sprinkled on top.

BEST BAKING PAN FOR THIS RECIPE

For square cheesecake bars, use a square 8-inch USA Pan. If you don’t have one in your collection, sub with a round 9-inch cake pan.

Both pans hold the same quantity, so there’s no need to adjust the oven temperature or the baking time for this dessert bar recipe. To add either pan to your collection, use the Amazon affiliate links below.

RECIPE STEPS

OREO COOKIE CRUST

RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a square 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper, and lightly spray it with cooking spray.

• STEP 1: Melt the butter on stovetop or in the microwave.
• STEP 2: Add Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter to a mixing bowl.
• STEP 3: With a wooden spoon, stir until well combined. The mixture should resemble wet sand.
• STEP 4: Transfer crumb mixture to prepared baking pan. With the back of a metal measuring cup, press it into an even, firm, compact layer. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool on a wire rack.Chocol

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE LAYER

Here’s how to make the filling for chocolate cheesecake bars in 4 easy steps!

• STEP 1: In a small microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate and heavy cream. Heat 1 minute at 50% power, then whisk to combine. If chocolate is not fully melted, microwave in 15 second increments, whisking after each session. IMPORTANT: Put the bowl aside so the mixture can shed heat.
• STEP 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth. Switch to the paddle attachment. Add granulated sugar. Mix until light and fluffy. Add melted chocolate to the mixture (make sure it’s melted but not overly warm or it can make the filling seize up) along with sour cream, vanilla, and cocoa powder.
• STEP 3: Mix to combine, stopping as needed to scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula. With mixer on low speed, add eggs one at a time until incorporated.Pour the cheesecake filling over the Oreo cookie crust. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggles when the pan is lightly shaken back and forth.
• STEP 4: Remove pan from oven. Set on a wire rack to cool to room temperature. Transfer uncovered pan to the fridge to chill for 6 to 8 hours (ideally overnight). Make sure it’s stored far away from odorous foods. After the initial chilling time in the fridge, cover the pan with plastic wrap until it’s time to slice the slab into bars.

KITCHEN SMARTS: The whisk attachment is used to whip the cream cheese until lusciously smooth and without lumps. The paddle attachment takes over from there to knock out any air bubbles in the cheesecake mixture.

RECIPE FAQ

These are the most commonly-asked questions when making chocolate cheesecake bars, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.

MORE CHOCOLATE RECIPES

If you loved this easy recipe for chocolate chip cheesecake bars, you’ll also enjoy these yummy chocolate desserts. Each is a time-tested family favorite. They’re perfect for the holidays and special celebrations all year round.

• CHOCOLATE PECAN BARS
• CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS
• CHOCOLATE BIRTHDAY CAKE
• CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES
• CHOCOLATE PUDDING DESSERT
• TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES
• MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

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Those who’ve experienced the joy of these chocolate chip cheesecake bars with Oreo crust rave about how luscious this decadent dessert is. I’ve been asked to make these celebratory treats for birthdays and special occasions.

If you too enjoyed this delicious recipe, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with a friend or two!

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