Cheesecake Cookie Dough Bars

This is the first recipe that I found on Pinterest that I decided to try (original source here). I won't ramble on too much, but if you like my blog, then you will LOVE Pinterest! It's an online pinboard tool with tons of awesome recipes, crafts, and amazing ideas. I saw this one and HAD to make it for my friend Josh's surprise party. It was a big hit! Cheesecake. Cookie dough. What could be better?

Ingredients
Crust:
-1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
-5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
-5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
-1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
-3 tablespoons granulated sugar
-¼ teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
-¾ cup flour
-2/3 cup chocolate chips

Cheesecake Filling:
-1 ¼ cup cream cheese, room temperature
-¼ cup sugar
-1 large egg, room temperature
-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325ºC. Line an 8” baking pan with parchment paper or foil, allowing a little overhang, and spray with a non-stick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 6 minutes. Remove pan to a cooling rack. Leave your oven on while you prepare the dough.

In a medium bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt and vanilla until smooth and thoroughly combined, about 1 minute. Mix in the flour on low speed, until just incorporated. Mix in the chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in the egg and vanilla on low speed just until incorporated. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust. Using your hand to form clumps, distribute the cookie dough onto the top of the cheesecake batter in teaspoon-sized clumps. Be sure to use all of the dough.

Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top feels dry and firm (the cookie dough) and the entire pan looks set if given a gentle shake. Move bars to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Chill in refrigerator overnight or for at least a couple hours.