Description
Indulge in these rich and creamy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cream cheese filling, and melty semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for dessert or a sweet treat, they are baked to a delicate jiggle and chilled to firm up for easy slicing and enjoyable texture.
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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) to prepare for baking the cheesecake bars.
- Prepare Crust: In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and ½ cup sugar. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased baking dish to form an even crust layer.
- Make Filling Base: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Then add sour cream, ½ cup sugar, and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until you achieve a creamy, uniform mixture.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cream cheese mixture, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the creamy filling over the prepared crust in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but the edges are set.
- Cool and Chill: Remove from the oven and let the cheesecake bars cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to firm up before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For best results, make sure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Use a greased or parchment-lined baking dish to prevent sticking and ease removal.
- Do not overbake; a slight jiggle in the center ensures creamy texture after chilling.
- Chocolate chips can be substituted with white chocolate or nuts for variation.
- Chilling time is crucial for proper setting; do not skip refrigeration.
