These Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars are an irresistible dessert that combine sweet sugar cookies with creamy cheesecake! I’ve topped these with crushed toffee bits to give them an extra sweet and crunchy bite.
If you’re craving a slice of cheesecake and not a bar, try my Sugar Cookie Cheesecake!
OR try my recipe for Classic Cheesecake if you are looking for something more traditional!
I love this recipe so much, because it was one of the first attempts at cheesecake I ever tried. I originally posted this recipe back in 2012, but wanted to update it with some new tips and pictures!
Making cheesecake in “bar form” seems a little less daunting, which is why this is a great place to start if you have cheesecake nerves. Plus, it takes a shortcut in the crust to make it extra approachable for beginners, or anyone short on time!
This recipe for cheesecake bars is foolproof, and is an amazing one to share with friends, serve on a holiday, or make for a weekend sweet treat.
How to Make The Best Cheesecake Bars
Start With The Crust
Like I said above, these bars start with a shortcut. You use a a package of sugar cookie mix! This is a great time saver. Instead of preparing the cookie mix according to the package directions, you add in:
- Dry Instant French Vanilla Pudding Mix
- Light Brown Sugar
- Melted butter
- Vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Next The Filling
The filling is very easy! Only a few ingredients are necessary to make this creamy cheesecake layer! All you do is mix them together and spread it on your unbaked crust.
- Cream Cheese at room temperature. Making sure it’s room temperature is key for smooth cheesecake!
- Granulated sugar
- Sour cream. Don’t worry, you can’t taste it as much as it gives you a smooth and creamy texture!
- 1 egg + 3 yolks. The yolks add richness!
- Vanilla extract
Yep, absolutely! You could even use pre-made sugar cookie dough if you prefer that. You just don’t want the sugar cookie crust to be too thick, so take a look at the pictures and not the thickness of the crust and use that as a guide.
How Long Does Cheesecake Need To Chill?
These cheesecake bars take 30 minutes to bake, and will absolutely need to chill before you serve them.
This is a great dessert to make a day ahead of an event, so save time! And cheesecake is best with an overnight chill (in my opinion).
Can You Freeze Cheesecake Bars?
Yes, absolutely! You can freeze it uncut or cut into pieces.
Just make sure it’s stored airtight in the freezer for up to a month, and allow the cheesecake to thaw in the refrigerator.
What Can You Substitute In Place Of Toffee Bits?
If you can’t seem to find toffee bits at your store (they can be called “Bits o’Brickle”), don’t worry! Here are a few options of other toppers:
- Crushed Heath Bars
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Crushed Peppermints
- Crushed Oreos
- A Swirl of Caramel
Get creative with toppings if you want! I hope you make these and enjoy them as much as we do!
Looking For More Cheesecake Bars? Try These:
- Golden Oreo Cheesecake Bars
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
- Brown Sugar Toffee Cheesecake Bars
- Brownie Bottom Caramel Cheesecake Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Cheesecake
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Dessert
Description
These irresistible dessert bars combine sweet sugar cookies with creamy cheesecake for the ultimate dessert. These Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars are topped with toffee crumble to make them even more heavenly!
Ingredients
- 1 (17.5 oz) pouch sugar cookie mix
- 1 (4 serving size) box French Vanilla Instant Pudding
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 whole eggs + 3 egg yolks
- 2 (8- ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup toffee bits, pulverized in blender or food processor
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl mix cookie mix, pudding mix, brown sugar, melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 whole egg with a spoon. When the dough starts coming together you might need to use your hands to mix.
- Press the cookie dough into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the prepared pan.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese, granulated sugar, sour cream, the remaining whole egg and three yolks and 2 teaspoons vanilla on medium-low speed, until mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary. Don’t over-mix.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over top the cookie base.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until center is set.
- While bars are baking pulverize your toffee bits in blender or food processor.
- Sprinkle on the cheesecake immediately upon removing from oven.
- Let the pan cool on wire rack 30-45 minutes and then cover and transfer to refrigerator to chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Cut into bars when ready to serve.
Notes
Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 219
- Sugar: 18.8 g
- Sodium: 172.1 mg
- Fat: 12.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.7 g
- Protein: 2.3 g
- Cholesterol: 39.3 mg
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I’m going to make these for an outdoor (hear distancing) thing. I want to make them on Wednesday and serve on Friday. Would you suggest leaving them in the refrigerator until Friday morning when I would need to take them to the house in question? Should they be refrigerated until served on Friday afternoon?
They should be refrigerated until ready to serve, but they should be fine if you make them wednesday to serve on friday!
These are unbelievable. I tried your salted caramel idea. At first I thought it was a flop, though I knew it would taste amazing, when it came out of the fridge, it couldn’t not be cut because the caramel became a sheet and lifted off. BUT. About an hour later I returned. The sauce had come to room temp and was easily slice-able. I was explaining the issue with the caramel to a friend as she was shoving it in her mouth. With a full mouth, she exclaimed “Don’t you dare change a thing!!” You always come through. (I used Kraft caramels and 5 T whipping cream and melted. Probably homemade caramel sauce wouldn’t do the same thing. But I will never find out. It was perfect.)
Have you tried it with home made chocolate chip cookie dough. I just hate packaged stuff!
No, but I bet it would be fantastic!
Wow, my 2 favorites combined..sugar cookies & cheesecake..definitely a must try!
These look amazing and of course I’ll try them….but it begs this question:
Is there really anything that WOULDN’T be good under cheesecake??
I think not…..
I wanted to make these tonight for a friend’s birthday tomorrow- but just realized I don’t have enough eggs. Could I use 3 whole eggs and one egg yolk? What would you suggest?
I bet that would be fine!!
Omg i smell them already they look incredible
Oh why oh why did I have to discover your site? I’m destined to be fat forever! Seriously, everything looks so good I’m considering braving the 100 degree heat to go to the store. Or maybe not. Jersey girls are special aren’t we?
I”ll take the points – American Anthem starred Mitch Gaylord 🙂
I have been searching for the American Anthem soundtrack on CD for years now…they want $35 for it used on Amazon! These Cheesecake Bars look amazing! Found you through Pinterest!