Description
Delight in these Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars, a luscious treat combining a buttery sugar cookie crust with a creamy, velvety cheesecake topping. Perfect for gatherings or a special dessert, these bars offer a sweet balance of textures and flavors, baked to golden perfection and chilled for a refreshing finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough (or 1 1/4 cups homemade dough)
Cheesecake Filling
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature by baking time.
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Form the Crust: Press the sugar cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even layer that will serve as the crust for the cheesecake bars.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 10 minutes, until it begins to lightly brown, which helps set the base and adds a slight crispness.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: While the crust bakes, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Additional Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, flour, and salt with the cream cheese mixture, blending until fully incorporated and uniform.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the cheesecake filling over the baked sugar cookie crust, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface of the crust.
- Bake Again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheesecake layer is set and lightly golden on top, indicating it is cooked through.
- Cool and Chill: Let the bars cool for 10 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the cheesecake to firm up and flavors to meld.
- Serve: Slice into 9 or more bars and enjoy the rich, sweet combination of sugar cookie crust and creamy cheesecake.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese to ensure a smooth filling without lumps.
- Refrigerating the bars is crucial for proper texture and easier slicing.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling.
- You can top with fresh fruit or a drizzle of chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Ensure the crust is evenly pressed to prevent uneven baking.
