Decadent Cheesecake Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Indulge in layers of sweetness with these Decadent Cheesecake Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. This delightful treat marries the rich, creamy goodness of cheesecake with the chewy, comforting texture of chocolate chip cookies, creating a dessert that is truly irresistible. The addition of toffee bits and gooey caramel bits elevates the flavor profile to a new level, making each bite a perfect blend of buttery, sweet, and a hint of saltiness. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your guests!
N/A
Servings
267
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1 cup (softened)
brown sugar
1 cup
granulated sugar
1/2 cup
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
salt
3/4 teaspoon
egg
1
baking soda
1 teaspoon
all-purpose flour
2 cups
mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup
caramel bits
1/3 cup
toffee pieces
1/3 cup
cream cheese
8 ounces (room temperature)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup
egg
1
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
2. Prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later. Set aside.
3
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Mix in the salt.
4
4. Beat in one egg until fully incorporated, followed by the baking soda and all-purpose flour until just combined.
5
5. Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, caramel bits, and toffee pieces until evenly distributed.
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6. Divide the cookie dough mixture in half. Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, using your fingers or a spatula. Set the remaining dough aside.
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7. In a separate medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then mix in the granulated sugar until fully combined. Add one egg and the vanilla extract, mixing until the cheesecake mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
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8. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the first layer of cookie dough, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
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9. Take the remaining cookie dough and, using your hands, create small flat discs. Place these discs evenly over the cheesecake layer. It's okay to leave some areas of the cheesecake exposed for a decorative touch.
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10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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11. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Let them cool on a wire rack.
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12. Cut into twelve equal bars and store in the refrigerator. For best flavor, allow the bars to come close to room temperature before serving to soften the caramel bits.
Nutrition Information
13
Fat
40
Carbs
2.7
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Cheesecake Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars?
These bars are a rich dessert featuring layers of creamy cheesecake and chewy chocolate chip cookie dough, enhanced with toffee pieces and caramel bits.
What is the recommended oven temperature for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What size baking pan is required?
You will need a 9 x 13-inch baking pan for these bars.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to make it easier to lift the bars out after baking.
What ingredients are needed for the cookie dough base?
The cookie dough consists of unsalted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, salt, an egg, baking soda, all-purpose flour, mini chocolate chips, caramel bits, and toffee pieces.
Should the butter be melted or softened?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of softened unsalted butter to be creamed with the sugars.
How much vanilla extract is used in total?
You will use 2 teaspoons in the cookie dough and an additional 1/2 teaspoon in the cheesecake mixture.
What type of chocolate chips work best?
The recipe recommends using 2/3 cup of mini chocolate chips for even distribution throughout the dough.
How do I layer the cookie dough and cheesecake?
Press half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan, pour the cheesecake mixture over it, and then place small flat discs of the remaining dough on top.
What is in the cheesecake filling?
The cheesecake layer is made from 8 ounces of room temperature cream cheese, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, one egg, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How long should the bars bake?
Bake the bars for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
How many bars does one batch make?
This recipe is designed to be cut into twelve equal bars.
How should these cookie bars be stored?
Because they contain a cream cheese layer, the bars should be stored in the refrigerator.
What is the best way to serve these bars?
For the best flavor and texture, allow the bars to come close to room temperature before serving so the caramel bits can soften.
Can I leave parts of the cheesecake exposed on top?
Yes, leaving areas of the cheesecake exposed between the top cookie dough discs adds a decorative touch.
What are the nutritional details per serving?
Each bar contains approximately 267 calories, 13g of fat, 40g of carbohydrates, and 2.7g of protein.
What temperature should the cream cheese be before mixing?
The cream cheese should be at room temperature to ensure the cheesecake mixture is smooth and creamy.
Are there nuts in this recipe?
The recipe uses toffee pieces; while some toffee contains almonds, the recipe does not specifically call for separate nuts.
What provides the saltiness in this dessert?
The combination of salt in the dough and the buttery toffee pieces creates a perfect sweet and salty balance.
Is it necessary to use caramel bits?
Caramel bits provide a gooey texture, but they are essential to achieving the specific flavor profile of this recipe.
Can I use a different type of flour?
The recipe is written for all-purpose flour to provide the best structure for the cookie dough layers.
How do I ensure the cheesecake layer is smooth?
Beat the cream cheese alone first until smooth before adding the sugar, egg, and vanilla.
What is the texture of these bars?
They have a chewy, comforting cookie texture mixed with rich, creamy cheesecake and gooey caramel.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter. If you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional salt added to the dough.
How much brown sugar is needed?
You will need 1 cup of brown sugar for the cookie dough mixture.
Do I need a mixer for this recipe?
A mixer is recommended to cream the butter and sugars and to ensure the cheesecake layer is completely smooth.
Can I freeze these bars?
While the recipe recommends refrigeration, cheesecake-based bars can generally be frozen if wrapped tightly.
What if I don't have parchment paper?
You can grease the pan thoroughly, but parchment paper is highly recommended for easy removal and clean cutting.
How do I test for doneness?
Insert a toothpick into the cookie portion; it should come out clean, and the top should be lightly golden.
Why do I need to cool the bars on a wire rack?
Cooling on a wire rack allows air to circulate, helping the bars set properly and stop the cooking process.