• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Recipe Index
  • On the Road
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cookie Bar Recipes

    Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

    Published: Aug 5, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    414 shares
    • Facebook17
    • Yummly
    5 from 45 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest image for chocolate chip cheesecake bars

    My easy recipe for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars is made with simple pantry ingredients. It’s so creamy and delicious with bits of chocolate throughout, it’s guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.

    close up of chocolate chip cookie bar with a fork full taken out

    I used mascarpone and cream cheese to make my chocolate chip cheesecake bars, so they’re extra creamy. If you’d rather use all cream cheese that works too.

    plateful of cheesecake bars

    This is one of my favorite desserts, but then again anything cheesecake will definitely make me smile! My Chocolate Cheesecake Bars is another of my favorite cheesecake recipes!

    What Ingredients do I need to make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars?

    ingredients to make chocolate chip cheesecake bars

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    How do I make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars?

    six images showing how to make the cookie crust
    • Place the sandies in a food processor.
    • Pulse the cookies to a fine crumb.
    • Add the melted butter to the cookie crumbs.
    • Mix well.
    • Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, then press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the 9 x 9-inch pan
    • Bake crust for 10-12 minutes at 325 degrees. Then allow to cool on a wire rack.
    six images showing how to make the cheesecake filling
    • Add the cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar, orange zest and vanilla extract to the bowl of a stand mixer at medium speed.
    • Beat the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
    • Add eggs one at a time.
    • Beat on low speed until just combined.
    • Add the chocolate chips to the cheesecake mixture.
    • Fold the chocolate chips into the creamy cheesecake filling.
    two images showing the cheesecake batter in the pan uncooked and cooked
    • Pour the cream cheese filling over the cookie crust and smooth it with an offset spatula
    • Bake at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until the center is just set and the top begins to brown.
    • Remove the pan from the oven, and let it cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

    After the cheesecake bars have cooled, run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the bars. Let the cheesecake bars continue to cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate the bars for at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.

    plate of cheesecake bars and one cheesecake bar on a white plate

    Cheesecake has got to be one of the most forgiving desserts you can make. You can add just about any flavor you like, use all kinds of toppings, change the crust, use different shaped pans, but no matter what you do to it, Cheesecake still comes out oh so creamy and delicious!

    stack of chocolate chip cookie bars on a white plate

    I don’t know who invented cream cheese but I hope there was a medal awarded for this stellar creation. I know you’ll agree that this is the best chocolate chip cheesecake bars recipe after one bite!

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Can you freeze cheesecake bars?

    You sure can. Properly wrapped and stored in air-tight containers cheesecake bars can stay frozen for up to 3 months.

    Do cheesecake bars need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, they do! After cooling it’s important to chill the cheesecake bars for at least 6 hours so they properly set up. Store the cheesecake bars in the refrigerator when they are not being served.

    Can I use graham cracker crumbs to make the crust for the cheesecake bars?

    Yes, you can. You can use any wafer-style cookie that you enjoy eating to make the crust.

    More Cheesecake Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
    • No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
    • No-Bake Biscoff Swirl Cheesecake Bars
    • Classic New York Cheesecake Recipe

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    stack of chocolate chip cookie bars on a white plate
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 45 votes

    Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

    These easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars are made with simple pantry ingredients that will bring smiles to your table! It's so creamy and delicious with bits of chocolate throughout that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 9
    Calories: 613kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    crust

    • 1 ½ cup toffee sandies shortbread cookies or your favorite shortbread cookie
    • 5 tablespoons butter melted

    Filling

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese (or use all cream cheese)
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips or your choice of chips
    • 1 teaspoon orange zest
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 3 large eggs
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place the sandies in a food processor and pulse to a fine crumb.
    • Add the melted butter and mix well.
    • Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, then press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the 9 x 9-inch pan
    • Bake crust for 10-12 minutes at 325 degrees
    • Cool on a wire rack.

    Filling

    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar, zest and vanilla until smooth at medium speed.
      You can substiture all cream cheese instead of using mascarpone
    • Add eggs one at a time, beat on low speed just until combined.
    • Fold the chocolate chips into the cheesecake batter.
    • Pour the cheesecake batter over baked and cooled crust and smooth with an offset spatula
    • Bake at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until the center is just set and the top begins to brown.
    • Remove the pan from the oven, and allow it to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
    • When the cheesecake bars have cooled, carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen.
    • Let the cheesecake bars cool for 1 hour longer then refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 1007IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

    More Cookie Bar Recipes

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brian @ A Thought For Food

      May 12, 2013 at 7:39 pm

      I’m always in the mood for cheesecake and boy does this look to die for!

      Reply
    2. mangiabella

      May 11, 2013 at 11:16 am

      5 stars
      I don’t know who invented cream cheese either, but God Bless ’em!!!! Chef, catching up on your posts never disappoints. Miss you my friend and sending some love your way and want to thank you once again for always being such an inspiration to me, I cherish the journey that has intersected our paths…so much glorious personal growth has been taking place over the last year, I’ve taken a new direction in writing, begun doing much more freelance writing, and working on a bigger writing project and really trying to live each day with purpose and intent. I love watching you continue to grow and expand and posture yourself for success….the world is your oyster and the best is truly yet to come….

      Reply
    3. Sanaa Abourezk

      May 07, 2013 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      You are talking my language, cheese cake and chocolate chip cookies. I can not wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 08, 2013 at 4:43 am

        It was a very flavorful combination! Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Betty Ann @Mango_Queen

      May 07, 2013 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      I love this! I can barely move after seeing these photos. Bookmarked the recipe. Baking it soon. Thanks for sharing, Chef Dennis.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 12:22 pm

        Thanks Betty Ann! I hope all is well and I look forward to seeing you soon. Are you going to Eat Write Retreat, or do I have to wait until BSP4 to see you?

        Reply
    5. deb

      May 07, 2013 at 11:56 am

      My son’s favorite dessert is cheesecake! Making bars rather than an entire cheesecake is appealing! And a change from the traditional graham cracker crust is inspired!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 12:23 pm

        Thanks Deb, it was a nice diversion from a standard cheesecake, and yet still so creamy and delicious!

        Reply
    6. Happy Valley Chow

      May 07, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Holy cow chef, that looks and sound…even though I feel my arteries clogging when I read the recipe haha.

      Happy Blogging!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 11:37 am

        Hi Eric

        thanks, they were really good, my neighbor can testify to that! The trick is not to eat the whole pan!

        Reply
    7. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie

      May 07, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Love that you made something other than a graham crust! So yummy sounding.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 11:36 am

        hi Erin

        Thank you! last time I made a shortbread crust that turned out very well, and this crust was very good, so I think I’ll begin experimenting with different types of crusts depending upon the cheesecake.

        Reply
    8. RavieNomNoms

      May 07, 2013 at 7:30 am

      I saw these on Facebook and I had to come over and check them out! They look awesome Chef!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 11:35 am

        Thanks Raven! Hope all is well

        Reply
    9. Toni | Boulder Locavore

      May 07, 2013 at 7:00 am

      Love the pics! This time of year is always nuts for any of us having a relationship to school winding up. Hang in there!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 11:35 am

        Thanks Toni, I’m just counting down the days at this point, but once this week is over with all of our events, it’s all downhill

        Reply
    10. Ann

      May 06, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      5 stars
      It’s amazing what you can do with mascarpone cheese. I have mixed with this Italian all naturally flavored sugar I just had to digg with the spoon a couple of times before I could continue follow your recipe. Your cheese cakes bars recipe is absolutely phenomenal Thank you 🙂

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 5:39 am

        Thanks Ann!

        Reply
    11. Lail | With A Spin

      May 06, 2013 at 9:14 pm

      Delicious!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 11:38 am

        Thank Lail!

        Reply
    12. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

      May 06, 2013 at 8:36 pm

      What delicious bars, I love the cookie crust!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis

        May 07, 2013 at 11:38 am

        Thanks Laura, it was a nice change from graham cracker crust

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar


    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Fan Favorites

    • Almost No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
    • Baked Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe
    • Chicken Parmesan Recipe
    • Best Baked Chicken Legs {Drumsticks}
    • German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • Best Tiramisu Recipe {step by step}
    • Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
    • Restaurant Style Veal Parm Recipe

    Featured In

    logos of all the places chef dennis has been featured

    Popular Posts

    • Best Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • Best Chicken Salad – Deli Style
    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • Easy Oven Baked Beef Brisket Recipe
    • Oven Roasted Rack of Pork {Pork Rib Roast}
    • Best Meatloaf Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    SUBSCRIBE

    Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-style recipes!

    CONTACT

    • About
    • Contact
    © 2009-2023 · Ask Chef Dennis ·

    Proud Member of:
    Mediavine Publisher Network
    414 shares
    • 17