Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Two years ago, if you asked me if I wanted cheesecake, I would have said no way! and made a face. Now if you ask me, its YES! I love cheesecake and these bars were the first time I made it myself. I just started goggling and found this awesome recipe. It's two of my favorite things combined into one. The worst part is that after you bake it, you can't eat it right away. It's suppose to be cooled. So its a bummer when it comes out of the oven and the smell is enough to make you drool.It is a very popular recipe at get togethers or just for yourself !

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Crust:

1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers

5 T butter, melted

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Filling:

10 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg at room temperature

1 t vanilla

Cookie Dough:

5 T butter, softened

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 T sugar

1 t

dash of salt

1 cup of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9x9 baking pan with foil leaving extra foil over the edges, spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, stir together graham crackers and butter, until crackers are moistened. Then stir in chocolate chips. Press into the bottom of prepared pan and bake for 6 minutes, or until set. Remove and set onto a cooling rack. Decrease oven to 325 F.

In a larger bowl,beat cream cheese and sugar together on low until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla until just blended. Pour into prepared pan.

In the same bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt on medium until blended. Beat in flour until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop tsp. of dough into the filling. Bake for 30-35 min or until top is dry and looks set when gently shaken.Cool until not hot then place in refrigerator until cool. Cut and eat! Refrigerate leftovers. 

* Optional: Drizzle 1/4 of melted chocolate chips on bars after finished cooking.