Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Irresistible Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe: 5 Simple Steps

Rich chocolate cheesecake bars offer a decadent twist on classic dessert indulgence.

Sweet cream cheese merges seamlessly with deep cocoa notes, creating a luxurious texture that melts effortlessly.

Bakers appreciate how these delightful treats balance intense chocolate flavor with smooth, velvety richness.

Elegant yet simple, these bars represent a sophisticated approach to homemade desserts that impresses without complicated techniques.

Layers of creamy filling nestled atop a crumbly graham base promise a sensational gustatory experience.

Professional and home bakers alike can master this delectable recipe with minimal kitchen skills.

The combination of ingredients converts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary confectionery delight.

Why Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Are a Decadent Dessert Favorite

  • Indulge in Decadent Layers: These chocolate cheesecake bars offer a heavenly combination of rich chocolate, creamy cheesecake, and crunchy Oreo cookie crust that melts in your mouth with every bite.
  • Effortless Gourmet Experience: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, using simple kitchen tools like a food processor and stand mixer, making it accessible for bakers of all experience levels.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Perfection: Designed for gatherings and special occasions, these bars serve multiple people, look impressive, and deliver a luxurious chocolate dessert that will wow family and friends with minimal preparation time.
  • Make-Ahead Convenience: The extended chilling time and stable texture allow you to prepare these bars in advance, reducing last-minute stress and ensuring a stress-free dessert that's ready whenever you need it.

Ingredients That Make Chocolate Cheesecake Bars So Rich

Base Ingredients:
  • Oreo Cookies: Classic chocolate sandwich cookies that create a rich, crumbly crust with deep chocolate flavor.
  • Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs and provides a smooth, rich base for the crust.
Cheesecake Filling:
  • Cream Cheese, Sour Cream: Creamy dairy ingredients that give the cheesecake its signature smooth and tangy texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake and helps create a smooth, balanced flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor that complements the chocolate.
  • Large Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the cheesecake filling together.
  • Semisweet Baking Chocolate: Adds rich chocolate flavor and depth to the cheesecake base.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Semisweet Chocolate Chips, Heavy Cream: Essential components for creating a silky, glossy ganache topping that adds luxurious chocolate finish.

Baking Chocolate Cheesecake Bars That Are Creamy and Fudgy

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • Gather ingredients
  • Oreo cookies
  • Unsalted butter

Crush cookies in food processor until they become fine crumbs. Mix with melted butter until well combined.

Line 9×13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.

Press crust mixture firmly and evenly into pan bottom.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.

Step 2: Create Cheesecake Filling

  • Gather ingredients
  • Cream cheese
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sour cream
  • Semisweet chocolate
  • Eggs

Soften cream cheese at room temperature.

Beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Mix in sour cream until fully incorporated.

Melt chocolate and fold into mixture gradually.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently to prevent over-beating.

Step 3: Bake the Cheesecake

Pour filling over cooled crust, spreading evenly.

Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 250°F.

Continue baking for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Turn off oven, leaving cheesecake inside until it reaches room temperature.

Step 4: Make Chocolate Ganache

  • Gather ingredients
  • Heavy cream
  • Semisweet chocolate chips

Heat heavy cream until it just starts to boil.

Pour hot cream over chocolate chips.

Let sit for one minute.

Whisk until smooth and glossy.

Step 5: Finish and Chill

Pour ganache over cooled cheesecake.

Smooth with spatula.

Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours before serving.

Cut into bars and enjoy your decadent dessert!

Tips for Smooth Layers in Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

  • Crush Cookies Completely: Use a food processor for ultra-fine Oreo crumbs, ensuring a smooth and compact crust that holds together perfectly.
  • Prevent Cheesecake Cracking: Mix ingredients at room temperature and avoid overmixing to create a silky, crack-free surface.
  • Control Chocolate Melting: Melt chocolate slowly and carefully to maintain a glossy, smooth texture without burning or seizing.
  • Master Baking Temperature: Follow the two-stage baking method with precise temperature changes to achieve a creamy, soft cheesecake consistency.
  • Chill for Perfection: Allow the cheesecake to cool completely in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to set properly and enhance flavor development.

Storing and Reheating Chocolate Cheesecake Bars with Care

  • Refrigerate: Store covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, ensuring the ganache stays intact and cheesecake maintains its creamy texture.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving the rich chocolate flavor and smooth consistency.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen bars overnight in the refrigerator, then let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore the optimal taste and texture.

What Complements Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

  • Pair with Rich Port Wine: Complement the decadent chocolate cheesecake bars with a smooth, sweet port wine that matches the dessert's intense chocolate flavor and creamy texture.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Add a scoop of cold, creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the bars to create a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that enhances the chocolate's richness.
  • Match with Espresso or Strong Coffee: The bold, robust coffee will cut through the sweetness of the cheesecake and provide a perfect palate-cleansing accompaniment that highlights the chocolate's deep notes.
  • Enjoy with Fresh Raspberries: Garnish the plate with a few fresh raspberries to introduce a tart, bright element that balances the dense chocolate and adds a pop of color and freshness to the dessert experience.

Delicious Twists on Classic Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

  • Peanut Butter Paradise: Swap semisweet chocolate with peanut butter chips in the filling and ganache, creating a rich nutty flavor profile that complements the creamy cheesecake base.
  • Raspberry Chocolate Fusion: Swirl fresh raspberry puree through the cheesecake filling before baking, and top with a dark chocolate ganache for a fruity-decadent combination.
  • Mint Chocolate Chip Bliss: Add peppermint extract to the cheesecake filling and sprinkle crushed chocolate mint cookies on top of the ganache for a refreshing chocolate experience.
  • Salted Caramel Dream: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the ganache topping and sprinkle flaky sea salt for a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast that elevates the classic chocolate cheesecake bars.
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Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Smooth chocolate cheesecake bars deliver rich, creamy indulgence with layers of silky chocolate and tangy cream cheese. Guests will savor each luxurious bite of this elegant dessert that balances intense chocolate depth with classic cheesecake elegance.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 32 ounces (907 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) semisweet baking chocolate
  • 24 Oreo cookies

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream

Crust and Topping:

  • 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (170 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Crush Oreo cookies into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor, blending them with melted butter until fully integrated.
  2. Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by lining it with foil and applying nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the dessert.
  3. Press the cookie crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish, creating a compact and level base.
  4. Bake the crust in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely.
  5. Using a stand mixer, cream the softened cream cheese until silky and smooth, gradually incorporating granulated sugar and vanilla extract.
  6. Gently fold in sour cream, ensuring a consistent and luxurious texture throughout the mixture.
  7. Melt semisweet chocolate and slowly integrate it into the cream cheese mixture, stirring continuously to create a rich, velvety consistency.
  8. Introduce eggs one at a time, mixing gently to maintain the batter’s delicate structure and prevent overbeating.
  9. Carefully pour the chocolate cheesecake batter over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
  10. Bake initially at 350°F for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 250°F and continue baking for an additional 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  11. Once baking is complete, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to rest inside until it reaches room temperature.
  12. Create a glossy ganache by bringing heavy cream to a gentle boil and pouring it over semisweet chocolate chips.
  13. Whisk the cream and chocolate mixture until smooth and shiny, ensuring no lumps remain.
  14. Drizzle the ganache over the cooled cheesecake, using a spatula to distribute it evenly across the surface.
  15. Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly.

Notes

  • Crumbly Oreo base provides a rich, chocolatey foundation for this decadent dessert.
  • Creamy chocolate cheesecake filling transforms classic ingredients into a luxurious treat.
  • Silky ganache topping adds a professional touch, elevating the entire dessert experience.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 408
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 212 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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