These Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars are a perfect balance of creamy richness and chocolatey goodness. The soft texture, thanks to the cream cheese, blends harmoniously with the chocolate chips, creating a dessert that is both decadent and comforting.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering, enjoying a cozy night in, or just treating yourself, these bars will steal the show. The addition of walnuts provides an extra crunch, but feel free to omit them or substitute with your favorite nuts. This simple yet delightful dessert is a crowd-pleaser, and you’ll surely make it again and again.
Full Recipe:
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1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
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1/2 cup butter, softened
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1 cup sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 eggs
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
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Add vanilla extract and eggs, mixing until fully incorporated.
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In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the cream cheese mixture, stirring just until combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if using.
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
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Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: 250 kcal | Servings: 12 bars
Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars: A Perfect Sweet Treat
Chocolate chip cream cheese bars are the ultimate dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth. Combining the classic flavor of chocolate chips with the rich, creamy texture of cream cheese, these bars are a unique and indulgent twist on a traditional chocolate chip cookie. Their irresistible texture—moist, chewy, and slightly tangy—makes them a delightful treat for any occasion. Whether you are baking for a party, a family gathering, or simply craving a delicious homemade dessert, these bars will be a hit with everyone.
A Blend of Classic Flavors
At their core, chocolate chip cream cheese bars are a fusion of two popular ingredients: cream cheese and chocolate chips. While chocolate chips are commonly used in cookies and other baked goods, adding cream cheese elevates the recipe to a whole new level. The cream cheese adds a tangy richness to the dessert, giving it a cheesecake-like texture that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the chocolate chips.
The marriage of these flavors results in a dessert that is neither too sweet nor too tangy but instead strikes a harmonious balance. This combination creates a bar that feels like a decadent treat yet is comforting enough to enjoy at any time of day. Whether you serve it as a dessert after dinner or enjoy it as a snack with your afternoon coffee, these bars are versatile enough to suit many occasions.
The History and Popularity of Chocolate Chip Desserts
Chocolate chip cookies are a beloved treat around the world. The classic chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Wakefield in the 1930s, when she added chopped-up pieces of Nestlé chocolate to her cookie dough, creating a sensation that would change the world of baking forever. Since then, chocolate chips have been used in a variety of baked goods, from cookies and cakes to brownies and bars.
The chocolate chip cream cheese bar is a more recent creation, blending the popular chocolate chip cookie with the velvety, tangy texture of cream cheese. This twist on the traditional chocolate chip bar or cookie is gaining popularity because of its rich flavor profile and comforting texture. It has become a go-to recipe for both novice and experienced bakers who want to make something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Perfect for Any Occasion
One of the best things about chocolate chip cream cheese bars is their versatility. These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a party, baking for a family gathering, or just making a sweet treat to enjoy at home. They are an easy-to-make dessert that’s also guaranteed to impress guests. Whether served on a holiday spread or as a casual afternoon snack, these bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Chocolate chip cream cheese bars also make a great option for baking with children. Since they require relatively simple ingredients and easy preparation, kids can enjoy helping out in the kitchen. The process of mixing the cream cheese and butter, folding in the chocolate chips, and then watching the bars bake is fun and educational, offering a great opportunity to spend quality time together.
Tips for Perfecting Your Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars
While chocolate chip cream cheese bars are fairly easy to prepare, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure that your bars turn out perfectly every time.
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Softening the Cream Cheese and Butter: Be sure to soften the cream cheese and butter to room temperature before mixing them. This will make it easier to blend them together and help achieve a smooth, creamy texture in the batter.
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Don’t Overmix: When mixing the wet and dry ingredients together, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to a dense texture, so mix just until combined.
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Quality Chocolate Chips: Since chocolate chips are the star of the show in this recipe, it’s important to use good-quality chocolate. Whether you prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or semi-sweet chips, the quality of the chocolate you choose will affect the overall flavor of the bars.
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Let the Bars Cool Completely: After baking, let the bars cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to set and prevents them from falling apart when you cut them into squares.
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Customize the Recipe: You can customize these bars by adding your favorite mix-ins, such as chopped nuts, dried fruit, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top. If you prefer a more indulgent version, you can even swirl in some caramel or peanut butter for an extra layer of flavor.
Variations of Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars
While the classic chocolate chip cream cheese bar recipe is delicious on its own, there are many ways to customize and personalize these bars. You can experiment with different types of chocolate chips, or add other ingredients to create new flavors.
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars: For peanut butter lovers, adding swirls of creamy peanut butter to the batter before baking will give the bars a rich, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese and chocolate.
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Caramel Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars: Adding swirls of caramel sauce to the batter or drizzling it over the top of the baked bars creates a rich, gooey texture and a burst of sweetness.
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White Chocolate and Raspberry Cream Cheese Bars: Instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, try using white chocolate chips and folding in fresh raspberries or raspberry preserves. The tangy raspberries complement the sweetness of the white chocolate, creating a delicious contrast.
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Mint Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars: For a refreshing twist, add a bit of mint extract to the batter and use mint chocolate chips. This creates a cool, minty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the creamy texture of the bars.
Healthier Modifications
For those who are looking to make a healthier version of chocolate chip cream cheese bars, there are several ways to lighten up the recipe without sacrificing flavor.
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Use Low-Fat Cream Cheese: You can swap regular cream cheese for low-fat or fat-free cream cheese to reduce the calorie content while still maintaining the creamy texture.
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Use Whole Wheat Flour: If you’re looking to add a bit more fiber to the recipe, consider using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. It will give the bars a slightly nutty flavor and make them a bit more nutritious.
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Reduce the Sugar: You can reduce the sugar content by using a sugar substitute or cutting the sugar amount in half. Many sugar substitutes, like stevia or monk fruit, can be used as a one-to-one replacement for sugar.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
There’s something about the combination of chocolate chips and cream cheese that makes these bars so irresistible. The contrast between the rich, creamy filling and the slightly chewy texture of the chocolate chips creates a dessert that’s satisfying in every way. The bars are easy to make, versatile, and perfect for any occasion, whether you’re baking for a holiday, a family gathering, or just treating yourself.
These bars are sure to become a staple in your dessert repertoire. Their simplicity, combined with their rich flavor, makes them a perfect choice for both novice bakers and experienced ones. Once you try these chocolate chip cream cheese bars, you’ll find it hard to resist making them over and over again!
Conclusion
Chocolate chip cream cheese bars are a must-try dessert that combines the best of both worlds—rich cream cheese and classic chocolate chips. Whether you prefer them with a few simple variations or want to experiment with different flavors, these bars offer endless possibilities. Their soft, chewy texture, sweet chocolate flavor, and creamy richness will make them a favorite in your baking collection. So next time you’re in the mood for a treat, bake up a batch of these delicious bars and indulge in their irresistible flavor.