Chocolate Cheesecake Cookie Bars

Layers of flavor combine in this Chocolate Cheesecake Cookie Bars recipe. A creamy vanilla cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, and a crunchy chocolate cookie layer on top. What could be better?

This recipe was originally published in September 2015. The photos and recipe notes were updated and improved in May 2025.

Aimee’s Recipe Notes

Taste & Texture: Crunchy graham crust with smooth vanilla cheesecake and chewy chocolate cookie topping.

Prep Tip: Use parchment paper in the pan for easy removal and cutting.

Make ahead: Prepare up to 24 hours in advance. Freeze after cooling for up to 3 months.

Top Tip: Keep bars chilled for easy cutting.

So after you’ve made your classic meatloaf recipe or an easy dinner of chicken tetrazzini, make sure to have these bars ready for dessert.

Ingredient Notes

These cheesecake bars have three layers: a crust, a filling and the cookie layer.

• Graham cracker pie crust – You will need graham crackers, melted butter and sugar. Read all of our tips and tricks for graham cracker crust!
• Cream cheese – Use regular full fat cream cheese for this cheesecake filling. Let it soften at room temperature for 20 minutes so it’s easier to combine.
• Sugars – Granulated sugar is used both in the filling and the topping. You will also need brown sugar for the cookie layer.
• Vanilla – Flavors the cheesecake layer and enhances the chocolatey taste of the cookie dough. Use a high quality pure vanilla extract for best results.
• Baking cocoa – The unsweetened cocoa powder gives the cookie dough its chocolate flavor and a rich color.
• Chocolate chips – Semi-sweet morsels are our favorite here, but milk chocolate or even white chocolate varieties can be used too.

How to Make Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Make the Crust – Combine crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar. Press firmly into a parchment-lined 13×9 pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Prepare the Cheesecake Layer – Beat softened cream cheese with sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Pour over the cooled crust.

Tips and Tricks

• Use a food processor (or a ziploc bag and a meat pounder) to process your graham crackers into a fine crumb. DO NOT use the store bought graham crumbs. I personally think the flavor of those is “off” and I can tell the difference in the two.
• Use parchment paper to line your 13×9 baking dish. Not only does it help with clean up…but once these are complete, you can lift the whole batch out of the pan to slice them.
• Refrigerate. Not only does it give the cheesecake time to firm up to make cutting smoother, but it tastes amazing chilled.
• Storing. Leftover chocolate cheesecake bars store well in the refrigerator for several days. This makes them a perfect option for a make ahead dessert!

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Chocolate Cheesecake Cookie Bars Recipe

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By: Aimee

Layers of flavor combine in this Chocolate Cheesecake Bars recipe. A creamy vanilla cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, and a crunchy chocolate cookie layer on top. What could be better?

Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 large bars

Ingredients 

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For the Crust:

• ▢ 2 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs about 18 full size crackers
• ▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter melted

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• ▢ 2 packages 8 ounce each cream cheese, softened
• ▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

For the Cookie Dough:

• ▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 2 Tablespoon milk
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ ½ cup Baking Cocoa unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1 package semi sweet chocolate chips 12 ounce

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
• For the crust, combine graham cracker and sugar in food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs. Add in melted butter and pulse until combined. Press into bottom of prepared baking dish.
• For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese with sugar, eggs, and vanilla using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer. Beat until fluffy and smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Pour over graham cracker crust.
• For the cookie dough, beat butter with sugars for 2 minutes. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add in flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda and mix until fully blended. Fold in chocolate chips.
• Drop by large scoop onto top of cheesecake layer. Try to use your fingertips to spread gently (doesn’t have to cover cheesecake completely, as it will spread during baking).
• Bake for 30-35 minutes until cookie dough layer is fully baked. Remove and cool on counter. Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Cut and enjoy!

Notes

• Use a food processor (or a ziploc bag and a meat pounder) to process your graham crackers into a fine crumb. DO NOT use the store bought graham crumbs. I personally think the flavor of those is “off” and I can tell the difference in the two.
• Use parchment paper to line your 13×9 baking dish. Not only does it help with clean up…but once these are complete, you can lift the whole batch out of the pan to slice them. This helps keep them looking uniform and pretty (not smashed and uneven). The symmetrically obsessed tendencies I have will thank you!
• Refrigerate. Not only does it give the cheesecake time to firm up to make cutting smoother, but it tastes amazing chilled.
• Storing. Leftover chocolate cheesecake bars store well in the refrigerator for several days. This makes them a perfect option for a make ahead dessert!
• Freeze. Keep bars in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 246kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 51mg, Sodium: 147mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g

Course: Brownies and Bars

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

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Chocolate Cheesecake Bars are the perfect combination of chocolate chocolate chip cookies and vanilla cheesecake. Easy, decadent and oh so chocolatey!