Description
Delight in these rich and creamy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cheesecake filling, and melty semi-sweet chocolate chips baked to perfection. Perfect for dessert lovers seeking an easy, crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 325°F (160°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cheesecake bars.
- Prepare the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and ½ cup granulated sugar. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased baking dish to form an even crust layer.
- Make the filling: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined and velvety.
- Add chocolate chips: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cheesecake mixture, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but mostly set.
- Cool and chill: Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Then, refrigerate the bars for at least 4 hours to set fully before slicing into 12 servings.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Do not overbake; the center should be slightly jiggly to avoid dryness.
- Use a greased or parchment-lined baking dish to prevent sticking.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top before baking if desired.
- These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
