Cheesecake Cookie Bars--Cranberry White Chocolate Style

Do you need a sinful dessert that is rich, moist & absolutely heavenly?  This recipe is the one for you!  It is a cheesecake married to a cookie bar and the outcome is delicious beyond belief!  The great thing about this recipe is you can switch up the flavors to suit your taste buds. Last night I was craving something with white chocolate, coconut and craisins.  The combination was awesome!  My husband however, wished I had done a peanut butter twist.  I told him, "Don't you worry, I will be making these again within the week." If you need to feed a large crowd dessert, double the recipe & put in a jelly roll/cookie pan (that's what I did...hmm, how are they gone already? Scary!) A summerly sinful dessert!


Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Cheesecake filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. coconut (optional)


Cookie dough:
2 eggs
2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/2 t. baking soda
Pinch of salt
2 3/4 c. flour

1 1/2 c. craisins
1 bag (12oz.) white chocolate chips + more for sprinkling on top if you would like

In a bowl, whip together the cream cheese filling mixture until smooth. Set aside.  In another mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar and eggs until smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Add the remaining cookie ingredients (minus the craisins and chocolate chips).  Once the cookie mixture is combined, spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and pour 1/2 of the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan. With floured fingers, or with a fork, press into the bottom of the pan 1/2 of the cookie mixture until flat.  Pour the cream cheese mixture over the top of the cookie layer.  To the remaining amount of cookie dough add the craisins and the white chocolate chips and mix until combined.  In your hands, press flat pieces of cookie dough and place on top of the cream cheese mixture until most of the top of the cookie bar is covered (a few wholes are okay).  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top and the bar seems firm.

*Suggestions for other bars:  use 1/2 peanut butter instead of butter for a peanut butter cookie and then use chopped up Reese's candy bars instead of chocolate chips (omit the coconut and craisins).  You could also do a regular cookie dough and use mint chocolate chips or butterscotch chips. An oatmeal raisin version would also be great!  Play around with this recipe to find your family's perfect combination.  If you find a delicious version, i would love to hear about it ;)