Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars: A Sweet and Creamy Delight
If you’re a fan of both sugar cookies and cheesecake, these Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars are the perfect mash-up of two classic desserts. With a soft sugar cookie crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, and a deliciously golden sugar cookie topping, these bars are a decadent treat that’s super easy to make. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just looking for a quick and indulgent dessert, these bars are sure to be a hit!
Let’s get started with the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 16.5 oz tube of sugar cookie dough
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz box of cream cheese (at room temperature)
- OPTIONAL: Sprinkles (for decoration)
- OPTIONAL: Powdered sugar (for extra sweetness)
Directions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking dish by spraying it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Make the Cheesecake Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and egg. Mix on low speed until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a sweeter cheesecake layer, you can add a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar to the mixture (optional).
Tip: If your cream cheese mixture is lumpy, it may still be too cold. To soften it further, place the bowl in a warm water bath by filling your sink with a few inches of hot water. This will gently warm the cream cheese, making it easier to blend into a smooth mixture.
3. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Crust: Cut the tube of sugar cookie dough in half. Press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the crust. Make sure it covers the entire bottom of the dish.
4. Assemble the Bars: Pour the cheesecake mixture evenly over the sugar cookie crust, spreading it out smoothly. With the remaining half of the sugar cookie dough, create small, flattened chunks and scatter them evenly over the top of the cheesecake layer. These pieces will bake into a golden, cookie topping.
5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top sugar cookie pieces are golden brown. Keep an eye on the bars during the last few minutes, as sugar cookies can brown quickly.
6. Cool and Decorate: Once baked, allow the bars to cool in the baking dish for at least an hour. Once cooled, you can add sprinkles for a festive touch or dust the bars with powdered sugar for a little extra sweetness (optional). Cut the bars into squares and serve!
Why You’ll Love These Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars:
- Simple Ingredients: With just a few basic ingredients—most of which you probably already have—these bars come together in no time.
- Creamy and Sweet: The combination of the creamy cheesecake layer and soft sugar cookie dough creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re serving these at a party, for a holiday, or just as a fun treat at home, these bars are always a crowd-pleaser.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars as a sweet ending to any meal, or enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon pick-me-up. They’re great for sharing at potlucks, picnics, or holiday gatherings, and can be decorated with sprinkles to match any occasion!
Recipe Notes:
- Customizations: You can switch things up by using different flavors of sugar cookie dough (like chocolate chip or snickerdoodle) or adding your favorite toppings like chocolate chips or crushed candy.
- Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to a month—just thaw them in the fridge before serving.
- Add Extra Sweetness: If you like your cheesecake extra sweet, feel free to add powdered sugar to taste in the cream cheese mixture.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Calories per Serving: 280 kcal
These Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. With their creamy cheesecake center and soft cookie layers, they’re a delicious and easy dessert you can whip up anytime. Give them a try, and I guarantee they’ll become a new favorite in your dessert rotation!
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Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
These Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate dessert for any occasion. The combination of a soft, buttery sugar cookie base with a rich and creamy cheesecake layer makes these bars an irresistible treat. With the option to add festive sprinkles, these bars are perfect for holidays, parties, or just as an indulgent everyday dessert.
Ingredients
16.5 oz tube of sugar cookie dough
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla extract
8 oz box of cream cheese (at room temperature)
OPTIONAL: Sprinkles
OPTIONAL: Powdered sugar (for extra sweetness)
Instructions
Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking dish by spraying it with non-stick spray.
Make the cheesecake mixture:
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, vanilla extract, and egg. Mix on slow speed until smooth. If you’d like, you can sweeten the mixture by adding some powdered sugar (optional).
Tip: If your cream cheese mixture is chunky, it may be too cold. To fix this, place the bowl in a warm water bath by filling your sink with a few inches of hot water. This will help soften the cream cheese and make the mixture creamy.
Prepare the sugar cookie crust:
Cut the roll of sugar cookie dough in half. Press one half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
Assemble the bars:
Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the sugar cookie crust. With the remaining half of the sugar cookie dough, create small, flattened chunks and place them evenly over the top of the cheesecake mixture.
Bake:
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the sugar cookie top is golden brown. Keep an eye on the cookies, as sugar cookies can burn quickly.
Cool and decorate:
Let the bars cool for at least an hour. Once cooled, you can add sprinkles for a festive touch if desired. Cut into squares and serve!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 280