i still remember the first time i tried making chocolate chip cheesecake bars and it was a total mess because i forgot to soften the cream cheese and it ended up a little lumpy but somehow it still tasted amazing and that’s the thing about this recipe chocolate chip cheesecake bars even when it’s imperfect it’s delicious and creamy and everyone in my family loved it.
last weekend i decided to make chocolate chip cheesecake bars again because my granddaughter was visiting and she loves chocolate so we tried following the recipe chocolate chip cheesecake bars together and it got a little messy in the kitchen because she kept sneaking chocolate chips but it made the whole experience so fun and i laughed a lot.
one evening i was tired after a long day at work and thought i could skip dessert but then i remembered the recipe chocolate chip cheesecake bars in the fridge and i cut myself a piece and oh my it was rich and creamy and it made me feel so cozy and happy like everything in the world was okay for a moment.
i also tried sharing the recipe chocolate chip cheesecake bars with my neighbors last month and i had a little panic because i thought they wouldn’t like it but as soon as they took a bite they smiled so big and told me it reminded them of childhood treats and that made me feel really proud and a bit emotional.
there was one time i tried to get fancy with the recipe chocolate chip cheesecake bars and added extra chocolate syrup on top and it went a little overboard and dripped everywhere but it still tasted amazing and the kids thought it was the best messy dessert ever.
sometimes i like to imagine what to eat with chocolate chip cheesecake bars and i’ve tried it with a warm cup of tea or coffee with hummingbird bread for a sweet and moist pairing with sliced strawberries or bananas on the side and even drizzling caramel sauce over the top is heavenly and having a few nuts crushed on it gives a nice crunch and a scoop of vanilla ice cream melts so well with it and i even tried pairing it with a light fruit salad all of these combinations taste so good and make the chocolate chip cheesecake bars even more fun to enjoy.
making chocolate chip cheesecake bars has taught me that baking doesn’t have to be perfect to be amazing because every little mistake just adds character and sometimes i even prefer when it’s slightly imperfect because it feels homemade and real and i can smile while serving it to my family.
every time i make chocolate chip cheesecake bars i remember the first messy batch and how much joy it brought me and everyone around me and now it’s a recipe i keep making over and over because it’s simple easy and comforting and it fills the kitchen with the sweetest smells and little bursts of chocolate in every bite.
ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
ingredients notes
- graham cracker crumbs crushed graham crackers make a sweet and crunchy base for the bars
- sugar adds sweetness to both the crust and the cheesecake layer
- unsalted butter melts into the crumbs to make the crust hold together
- cream cheese gives the cheesecake its creamy and smooth texture
- eggs help set the cheesecake so it holds its shape
- vanilla extract adds a warm and rich flavor to the cheesecake
- chocolate chips give little bursts of chocolate in every bite
kitchen equipment needed
- 8×8 inch baking pan
- mixing bowls
- electric mixer or whisk
- spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- oven
- cooling rack
- knife for cutting bars
How to make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars ?
step 1 prepare the crust
preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line the baking pan with parchment paper then mix the graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl and stir in melted butter until the crumbs are moistened then press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan so it forms an even layer
step 2 bake the crust
bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden then remove from the oven and let it cool while preparing the cheesecake layer
step 3 make the cheesecake filling
in a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese with 2/3 cup sugar until smooth and creamy then add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition and stir in vanilla extract
step 4 add chocolate chips
fold the chocolate chips into the cheesecake mixture gently so they are evenly distributed throughout the filling
step 5 assemble and bake
pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and spread it evenly then bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly
step 6 cool and chill
remove the pan from the oven and let it cool to room temperature then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the cheesecake bars to fully set
step 7 cut and serve
lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper and cut into squares with a sharp knife wiping the knife between cuts for clean edges then serve and enjoy
storage options
store the cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 2 months wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil so they do not absorb other flavors then thaw in the fridge before serving
variations for chocolate chip cheesecake bars
you can use white chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a different flavor you can swirl in caramel sauce or chocolate syrup before baking to create a marbled effect you can sprinkle crushed nuts on top before baking for extra crunch you can make a gluten-free version using gluten-free graham crackers or substitute the crust with crushed cookies for more variety
faqs
what is this recipe chocolate chip cheesecake bars made of?
this recipe is made of a graham cracker crust and a creamy cream cheese filling with sugar eggs and vanilla and chocolate chips added for sweetness and flavor
what does chocolate chip cheesecake bars taste like?
it tastes rich and creamy with a sweet crunchy crust and little bursts of chocolate in every bite
can i use different types of chocolate chips?
yes you can use white chocolate milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips depending on your preference
can i make these bars ahead of time?
yes they can be made a day ahead or even frozen for later so they are convenient for parties or snacks
how long do chocolate chip cheesecake bars last?
they last up to 5 days in the fridge and up to 2 months in the freezer if stored properly
can i use low-fat cream cheese?
yes you can use low-fat cream cheese but the bars may be slightly less creamy and rich
can i add toppings to chocolate chip cheesecake bars?
yes you can add fruit caramel sauce chocolate syrup or nuts to customize them to your taste
can i bake in a different size pan?
yes but the baking time may need to be adjusted slightly if using a larger or smaller pan so the bars cook evenly
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy16
servings20
minutes30
minutes320
kcal50
minutescreamy cheesecake bars with chocolate chips and a crunchy graham cracker crust perfect for any occasion
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
16 ounces cream cheese softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
- preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line the baking pan with parchment paper then mix the graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl and stir in melted butter until the crumbs are moistened then press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan so it forms an even layer
- bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden then remove from the oven and let it cool while preparing the cheesecake layer
- in a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese with 2/3 cup sugar until smooth and creamy then add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition and stir in vanilla extract
- fold the chocolate chips into the cheesecake mixture gently so they are evenly distributed throughout the filling
- pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and spread it evenly then bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly
- remove the pan from the oven and let it cool to room temperature then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the cheesecake bars to fully set
- lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper and cut into squares with a sharp knife wiping the knife between cuts for clean edges then serve and enjoy
