Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Perhaps you are looking for something different to prepare for the remainder of your holiday gatherings, or stuff to do with the kids while everyone is out of school?  This is super easy, definitely not fussy or complicated, and family friendly!
 

I was browsing the internet recently and saw a recipe similar to this, but using all homemade components.  Sounded great, but I know that during the busy holidays, not everyone is interested in taking that much time to make everything from scratch.  So I simplified this to make it more "busy mom friendly." 

Print this recipe!   

Ingredients:    

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 Tbsp melted butter
• ~ 2/3 roll of prepared chocolate chip cookie dough
• 10 oz cream cheese, room temperature (I used the reduced fat version)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla

Step-by-Step:
Crust -  Let's start on that crust.. add 5 Tbsp melted butter to 1 1/2 cups graham crackers.  Combine with a fork until it resembles very coarse sand.   If you are in a time pinch, graham cracker crumbs are available in the "already crumbs" form; but making crumbs is a great thing to let the kids do.  Throw them in a zip top bag and let them pound them into crumbs.

Press into an 8"x8" pan which you have prepared with parchment paper (enough to hang over the sides) and a bit of cooking spray.   

I used my meat pounder for this, but the bottom of a drinking glass would work just fine.

Bake at 325 for about 6 min. 

Filling -  With a mixer, cream together the room temperature cream cheese and sugar.  Add the room temperature egg and vanilla and beat enough to combine. 

10 oz reduced fat cream cheese at room temp + 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

Pour the filling over the baked crust.

 

Topping -  Break the prepared cookie into pieces about the size of a large marble.  Flatten them slightly into disks and place them over the filling.  You will almost completely cover the filling.

Bake -   Bake uncovered at 325 F for about 30 minutes.  The cookie dough should look dry and the cream cheese should be "set" when you jiggle it. 

Grasp the batter by the parchment paper hanging over the pan and lift it out, setting it on a cooling rack. 

Cut into bars when cool. 

Perfect for a big glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or a nice hot cup of tea.

I hope you have enjoyed this recipe!  There are certainly plenty more where this came from.  Why Recipe Index to see what else I've been cooking.

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Written Method:
Crust - Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter for the crust.  Press into an 8"x8" pan which you have prepared with parchment paper (enough to hang over the sides) and a bit of cooking spray.  Bake at 325 for about 6 min.   Set aside while you prepare the filling.

Filling -  With a mixer, cream together the room temperature cream cheese and sugar.  Add the room temperature egg and vanilla and beat enough to combine.  Pour the filling over the baked crust.

Topping -  Break the prepared cookie into pieces about the size of a large marble.  Flatten them slightly into disks and place them over the filling.  You will almost completely cover the filling.

Bake -   Bake uncovered at 325 F for about 30 minutes.  The cookie dough should look dry and the cream cheese should be "set" when you jiggle it.  Grasp the batter by the parchment paper hanging over the pan and lift it out, setting it on a cooling rack.  Cut into bars when cool.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Oreo Cream Crunch Layer Dessert

What?!  You need something fun and easy for dessert... but quick to put together?  Then here's one to try on for size.  This fun dessert requires no cooking, no baking, no shaping or molding.  Just crunch, mix, layer, and top to get a family friendly dessert that your kids will be lining up for!  (and probably the big ones, too!)  Okay, so it's not the most creative or elegant dessert out there... but who cares? 

You've probably seen plenty of desserts like this at pot lucks and large gatherings.  That's because its a crowd pleaser that doesn't require any... ahem... kitchen skills.  As a matter of fact, this would be a great one to let the little ones help you put together.  For serving to little people or a party for a family function (for example), it would be fun to put these in individual clear plastic cups and serve each with its own spoon.   Then people could just pass by, grab one and go.  A cup is much easier to deal with than juggling a dessert on a plate.

Print this recipe!

Crust layer - 

• 1 (15oz) package "Double Stuff" Oreos
• 1/2 cup melted but cool butter

Cream Cheese Layer -

• 8 oz reduced fat cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 8 oz of Cool Whip

 Pudding Layer - 

• 1 (5 oz) box instant chocolate pudding
• 3 cups milk

Topping - 

• 8 oz of Cool Whip
• Heath bar pieces
• additional crushed Oreos 
• caramel topping 

Step-by-Step:

Crust -  Crush the cookies into chunks (not a fine powder) in a gallon ziptop bag.  Add the cooled, melted butter.  Squish it around.  Add this layer first to a trifle bowl or a 9" x 13" casserole dish (or to individual dessert dishes).

1 package of Double Stuff Oreo Cookies

1/2 cup melted, cooled butter

 
Cream Cheese Layer - Beat the cream cheese until fluffy.  Add the powdered sugar (with the mixer on LOW) until incorporated.  After it's mixed, you can turn up the speed and beat it all until smooth.  Combine with 8 oz of Cool Whip, then add this layer second. 

1 (8 oz) container of reduced fat cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

Plus 8 oz Cool Whip...

Pudding Layer - Mix the instant pudding mix with the cold milk for 2 - 3 minutes until thick.  Let sit for about 5 minutes for it to "set up."  Add this layer third.

3 cups milk + 1 (5oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix.

Top Layer - Spread the remainder of the Cool Whip as the top layer.  Garnish with Heath Bar pieces, more crunched up Oreos, and a beautiful drizzle of caramel topping.  

Cool Whip

Heath bar pieces (yum!)

extra Oreos, crumbled

caramel topping

Let the whole thing sit for a couple of hours in the refrigerator to firm up before serving.  

Cook's note - In retrospect, I would have added even more Heath bar pieces, because I LOVE the buttery crunch that they give.  But it's all totally up to you.  Have fun with this!

I hope you enjoyed these recipes!  If you are interested in seeing more, my Recipe Index is sure to have a ton of recipes to scratch your itch!

Connect with me.  If you haven't already, click here to subscribe to MenuMusings so you won't miss a thing.  I'll send you notifications of new posts to help you avoid the cooking rut!  You can also follow me on Pinterest or on the MenuMusings facebook page.

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Written Method:

Crust -  Crush the cookies into chunks (not a fine powder) in a gallon ziptop bag.  Add the cooled, melted butter.  Squish it around.  Add this layer first to a trifle bowl or a 9" x 13" casserole dish (or to individual dessert dishes).

Cream Cheese Layer - Beat the cream cheese until fluffy.  Add the powdered sugar (with the mixer on LOW) until incorporated.  After it's mixed, you can turn up the speed and beat it all until smooth.  Combine with 8 oz of Cool Whip, then add this layer second. 

Pudding Layer - Mix the instant pudding mix with the cold milk for 2 - 3 minutes until thick.  Let sit for about 5 minutes for it to "set up."  Add this layer third.

Top Layer - Spread the remainder of the Cool Whip as the top layer.  Garnish with Heath Bar pieces, more crunched up Oreos, and a beautiful drizzle of caramel topping.

Let the whole thing sit for a couple of hours in the refrigerator to firm up before serving.  

reade more... Résuméabuiyad