Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Chocolate chip cookie + cheesecake = chocolate chip cheesecake bars! Why choose one when you can have both? Bonus: these cheesecake bars are ready in about half the time as regular cheesecake.

By
Cindy Rahe
Cindy Rahe
Cindy Rahe
Cindy has over 10 years experience as a recipe blogger and was a contributor at BettyCrocker.com. Cindy began contributing to Simply Recipes in 2017.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated January 24, 2023
Cindy Rahe
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars stacked up in a small pile

Simply Recipes / Cindy Rahe

Cheesecake is a big deal in my house. My husband's family loves it and it’s my go-to for any gathering.

The thing with cheesecake, however, is that it can take forever to make! There’s a lot of chilling time for a classic cheesecake. (I always let mine refrigerate for at least 12 hours!)

Chocolate chip cheesecake bars on parchment paper with chocolate chips on the side

Simply Recipes / Cindy Rahe

Cheesecake in Half the Time!

That’s where these bars come in. They cut that time significantly so you can make them in the morning and they are ready to serve by the afternoon. You don't need any special pans and you don't even need a water bath. You can also eat them without a fork—bonus! Plus, there’s chocolate involved, and who can resist that?

Chocolate Chip Cookie + Cheesecake = Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

These bars feature a buttery cookie crust made from vanilla wafers and butter. I’m partial to the Trader Joe’s brand of wafers but any vanilla wafer will work.

But the wild card comes from the mini chocolate chips mixed right into the crust. The result is a toffee-like chocolate chip cookie base that absolutely makes these bars stand out.

The filling is smooth and dense like a classic cheesecake, fortified with a little bit of tangy sour cream plus even more mini chocolate chips sprinkled throughout. There are just enough chocolate chips that it satisfies chocolate lovers but not so much that you’re exiting cheesecake territory.

Chocolate chip cheesecake bars cut and laid out on parchment paper

Simply Recipes / Cindy Rahe

Tips for Making These Cheesecake Bars

  • Do not overmix the cheesecake filling. Overmixing contributes more air and can cause the cheesecake to rise like a soufflé and crack as it deflates. For extra insurance, gently tap the pan on the counter a few times before baking to release any larger air bubbles.
  • Cool slowly to prevent cracks: Like with all cheesecakes, cooling these bars slowly is the key to preventing cracks! With a full-size cheesecake I’d go for at least an hour in the turned-off oven, but 30 minutes will do the trick here with these bars.
  • Chill these bars thoroughly for a smooth, creamy texture. I suggest 3 hours for a bar that can be handheld and eaten without a plate and fork.
  • To get super clean and sharp slices, use a large knife warmed in hot water. I also make sure to cut straight down with the knife and not drag it through the bars in order to get those clean slices. I also use a ruler because I’m all about precise slices—but that’s up to you!

More Dessert Bars You'll Love

How to Store and Freeze Cheesecake Bars

Although cheesecake bars are baked, they need to be stored in the refrigerator. They will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Cheesecake bars also keep well in the freezer (just like regular cheesecake). After they have firmed up completely in the fridge, wrap up the bars tightly and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before enjoying.

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Cool and Chill Time 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 55 mins
Servings 16 bars

Ingredients

For the cookie crust

  • 30 standard-sized vanilla wafer cookies

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3 tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 tablespoons (10g) mini chocolate chips

For the cheesecake filling

  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) sour cream

  • 1/2 cup (3 ounces) mini chocolate chips

Special Equipment

  • Food processor

Method

  1. Preheat oven:

    Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang of parchment on two sides. This will help you lift the bars out of the pan after they’ve been baked.

  2. Make the crust:

    Pulse the vanilla wafers in a food processor until fine crumbs the size of sand form. You should end up with about 1 cup of crumbs.

    Add the sugar and salt to the food processor and pulse 5 times to combine. Pour in the melted butter and pulse until the mixture starts to clump together, 5 to 10 seconds. The crust will look like wet sand and stick together when squeezed.

    Remove the blade and use a small rubber spatula to stir in the mini chocolate chips.

    Cheesecake bars with chocolate chips add the butter
    Cindy Rahe
    Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars fold in the chocolate chips
    Cindy Rahe
  3. Form and bake the crust and turn down the oven:

    Dump the cookie crumb mixture into the prepared baking dish. Firmly press the crust into the bottom of the dish in an even layer. You can use the bottom of a measuring cup for this. It should be firm enough to not move when gently touched.

    Bake for 10 minutes. The crust will be slightly golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven to cool on a cooling rack while you make the filling.

    Turn the oven down to 325°F.

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
    Cindy Rahe
  4. Make the filling:

    Beat the cream cheese in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer) until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time until combined, scraping the bowl after each addition.

    Beat in the sugar, followed by the vanilla extract and sour cream, until just combined. Do not overmix. The mixture should be smooth and thick like yogurt.

    Turn off the mixer and fold in the mini chocolate chips with a spatula.

    Cheesecake Bars with Cookie Crust beat in the eggs and sugar
    Cindy Rahe
    Cheesecake bars with chocolate chips add the sour cream
    Cindy Rahe
    Cheesecake Bars with Cookie Crust
    Cindy Rahe
  5. Fill the crust:

    Spread the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust and rap the pan on the counter a few times to release any bubbles.

    Cheesecake bars with chocolate chips spread out the filling
    Cindy Rahe
  6. Bake the bars:

    Bake at 325°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until the filling is just set and slightly jiggly in the center. Turn off the oven, crack open the door (use a wooden spoon wedged between the door to keep it from closing if yours won’t stay open) and cool in the oven for 30 minutes.

  7. Chill the bars:

    Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature on a rack, about 30 minutes. Transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.

    Chocolate chip cheesecake bars will keep in a covered container in the fridge for about 5 days.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
484 Calories
30g Fat
52g Carbs
6g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 484
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 30g 38%
Saturated Fat 13g 67%
Cholesterol 71mg 24%
Sodium 307mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 31g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 51mg 4%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 175mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.