These Monster Cookie Cheesecake Bars are two layers of cookie dough packed with peanut butter and M&M'S candy and filled with a creamy chocolate cheesecake filling!
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking dish with foil. Spray with non-stick spray and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with sugars and peanut butter until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat again. Add in salt, baking soda, flour, oats and milk until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips and 1 cup of M&M'S.
Press half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Set aside.
For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese until soft and creamy. Add in sugar and beat until smooth. Add in melted chocolate and eggs. Beat until eggs are fully incorporated, but don't overbeat.
Spread cheesecake over first layer of cookie dough. Top with remaining cookie dough and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup candy over the top.
Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Notes
Line your baking dish with foil or parchment paper. When the bars are done cooking and cooling, you simply lift the foil out of the pan and you can slice them on a big cutting board.
I used regular milk chocolate M&M’S in this recipe, however to make them festive you can use any holiday candies, or better yet, use the Peanut Butter M&M’S (my favorite)!
Plan ahead. You’ll want to give these bars plenty of time in the refrigerator to set and chill. I prefer to make them the day before, and let them chill in the refrigerator overnight.
Depending on your crowd, you can choose to cut these into large squares, or cut each square into a triangle! They’re very rich, so a little goes a long way!
Want to mix things up? Use chunky peanut butter in your cookie dough. Add raisins in a addition to chocolate chips. Be bold and enjoy!
Interested in MORE cheesecake recipe…get the “Cheesecake Love” cookbook today! Or add it to your holiday wishlist!