Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

My mind is in a whirlwind.  I've spent too much time in the past couple of days reading about Japanese architecture, some things about darkness and space (I don't exactly remember what those were about...), attempting to fabricate a physical model depicting "structured cacophony" (we've been assigned to create a model in response to some really, really, really crazy music samples), attempting to learn the dictionary in preparation for the GRE's, finish laying out a publication that should have been completed last semester, and researching affordable housing policy and design in the US for my independent study.  Sounds like a lot right? Good thing I've been putting Gossip Girl on the very top of my priority list!  Yes, I know, the show is over, and I'm only several years behind, since I'm only halfway through season 3, but that's ok.  It's my sister's fault, really.

My sister got me into watching the show over Thanksgiving break, and it's become a guilty pleasure of sorts. Instead of pretending to be interested in upcoming football celebrations, I'm allowing myself to be entertained by other things.  Am I watching the Super Bowl on Sunday?  Psh no way.  I have a model to build that's due on Monday.  Will I have the commercials on in the background?  Probably not.  Will my laptop have Netflix playing what remains of season 3 of GG?  Most likely.  I seriously need to get my priorities in check.  I have homework to do! I have things to research!  I have things to bake and photograph and write about!  Ah!!!  Sigh.  One step at a time.  Let's start with these.  Chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake bars.  Yes, I think that would be a wonderful place to start. 

Chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake bars...they sure are a mouthful...a delicious mouthful, that is!  Picture a bottom layer of graham cracker crust, a middle layer of creamy cheesecake filling, and a top layer of classic chocolate chip cookie dough.  They may sound too good to be true, but yes, these little squares of delicious, delightful desserts are in fact, real, and very simple to prepare for yourself.  Really, I promise!  These cheesecake bars only require a few steps of preparation to make them a reality. 

There's really no mystery to these bars, or as to why they're so darn tasty.  I'm not really a huge fan of cheesecake; I'm the type of person that can have two tiny spoonfuls of cheesecake and be plenty satisfied, but these bars...these bars were different.  Oh yes.  I think it was the chocolate chip cookie dough (something that no amount of could possibly satisfy me) that did it.  The chocolate chip cookie dough portion of these bars brought them over the top, and I couldn't have enough of them.  Surprisingly, my mom, who likes desserts when they're on the not-so-sweet side (even more than me!), really loved these.  My dad, well that was another story.  He took one small bite and said that was more than enough for him.  What a silly person.  His favorite whole wheat bread might be mighty tasty, and one of my favorites, but these cheesecake bars are just something else. 

Like I said before, these bars are simple to make.  Simple enough, that, if you are in need of something sweet to enjoy after having some buffalo wings and Mini Corn Dog Muffins this upcoming Sunday, you can whip them up in a flash.  Because after all, just because cheesy appetizers are the traditional go-to food at football parties, a little something sweet at the end never hurts!  If you want something even more chocolatey, try out these Bacon Brownies.  I think the combination of these salty and chocolatey brownies and a remix of classic American chocolate chip goodness would be the perfect way to cap off Super Bowl Sunday.  Enjoy, and may the best team win!  (not that I actually know who's playing........oh well.)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars
recipe from My Baking Addiction

Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips

For the Cheesecake

10 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F, and positioning an oven rack in the middle of the oven.  Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan with wax paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang.  

To prepare the graham cracker crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan into an even layer.  Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 6 minutes, and then transfer the pan to a wire rack.  Leave the oven turned on. 

While the crust is cooling, prepare the chocolate chip cookie dough.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (a medium bowl and a hand mixer will work just fine as well), beat together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth.  Mix in the flour, mixing until just combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  The mixture will be very crumbly.

To prepare the cheesecake layer, in a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth (I used a hand mixer).  Beat in the egg and the vanilla on low speed until just incorporated.  

To assemble the cookie bars, begin by pouring the cheesecake mixture over the prepared crust, spreading it in an even layer.  Add the chocolate chip cookie dough on top of the cheesecake filling, by forming clumps with your hands, and distributing it evenly over the cheesecake layer.  You'll have enough cookie dough to cover most of the cheesecake batter.  

Bake until the chocolate chip cookie layer feels dry and firm, and the entire pan appears set, about 30 minutes. Set the bars on a wire rack and let the bars cool inside the pan.  Let them cool completely before removing them from the pan with the paper overhang.  Once the bars have cooled completely, slice the cookie into 16 squares.  Chill the bars in the refrigerator so that the cheesecake sets.  Serve chilled, and enjoy!

Makes 16 2x2-inch squares