Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookie Bars are red velvet cookie bars with a cheesecake topping These bars have big red velvet flavor with no cake mix required!
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I think I’ve given you enough Game Day recipes to make you dangerous, so we’re shifting gears today. It does happen to be February 1st after all, which means Valentine’s Day is only 2 weeks away!
Valentine’s Day means two things to me…red velvet and chocolate. 🙂
I warned you a few weeks ago when I posted my Red Velvet Cupcakes that I wasn’t done with red velvet yet. No where near. These red velvet cookie bars are destined to make another appearance before Valentine’s Day, too as my kids have already put in their order for more.
You know when you make something new and you’re not sure about it? Well, I made these bars and tried the first one before it had adequate chilling time because (1) there was not enough time to chill them completely before taking the photos, and (2) of course I had to eat one right after taking the photos.
So since the bars hadn’t chilled completely, I didn’t get the full effect. They were very good, but I wondered…could they be better? I’m my own worst enemy that way. I stuck them in the fridge, and my kids each got one when they got home from school.
My 11 year old blurted out that these were the best things I’d ever made. EVER.
My oldest was too busy stuffing his face to comment until later, and he said they were awesome.
Now I was taken aback a bit, but the next day when I had another one, it was obvious. These red velvet cookie bars are something special, and I knew I had to share them here.
They were just as awesome Day 3 as well, if you’re lucky enough to have them that long. 🙂
The base for these bars is from my red velvet sandwich cookie recipe, which I love. Completely homemade, and very easy! I simply pressed them into the bottom of an 8×8″ pan and baked them for 10 minutes prior to baking them with the cheesecake layer. I baked the cookie base first so they would be more set like a crust, but if you’d like the cookie base to be more on the gooey side, bake them for only 5 minutes or don’t bake them first at all.
The bottom line with these bars is that they’re very easy to make, but they taste like they took a while. The combination of the soft, chewy cookie base with big red velvet flavor and creamy cheesecake filling is divine. So make these for the ones you love! They’ll love you even more for it. 🙂
Additional red velvet recipes you’ll love:
Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For the cookie base:
- 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red food coloring*
For the cheesecake layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8x8" baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Prepare the cookie base:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Place the stick of butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and add the egg, mixing on low speed until combined, then beat in the vanilla and red food coloring until well incorporated. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake on the center rack of the oven for 10 minutes for a cookie crust that's more set. If you'd like it on the gooey side, bake for only 5 minutes or not at all! If baking the cookie base, cool on a wire rack while you prepare the cheesecake layer.
Prepare the cheesecake layer:
- Place the cream cheese in a medium bowl and beat on medium high speed until smooth. Add the sugar, egg, sour cream, and vanilla, and beat until well combined. Pour over the semi-cooled cookie crust and sprinkle over the chocolate chips. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheesecake layer is just slightly "wiggly" in the center. Cool on a wire rack, then chill in the refrigerator. Cut into bars, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Bars are best when chilled a few hours before serving.
- Store the bars in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
52 Comments on “Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookie Bars”
These look so amazing! I’m obsessing over the mini chocolate chips. These are perfect for v day 🙂
I love those little mini chips, too! 🙂
Happy Sunday Marcie! These cookie bars look fantastic, combining two of my favorite desserts – cheesecake and red velvet! The addition of chocolate chips is perfect! Pinned of course!
Thank you, Mira, and I appreciate the pin! 🙂
I have no will power either in the face of cheesecake bars either!! Really in the face of any dessert! These are perfect for Valentine’s Day! And this is exactly what I want to eat today while I am not watching the Super Bowl 😉 Pinned!
HAHA…no Super Bowl for you, huh? Well, I gladly would’ve shared these with you! One day…one day! 🙂
My mouth is watering Marcie!! I can’t get enough red velvet these days. I love this idea! 🙂
You and me both, Renee! It’s a race to get all the red velvet recipes out before V-Day! 🙂
These bars look so so pretty, Marcie! I love red velvet and would have no willpower to wait before shooting them either. I made almond joy and just regular ole red velvet bars and am totally smitten over that cheesecake layer! Such a great idea and I’m loving those chocolate chips too! These are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Thank you so much, Kelly! Red velvet cookies are so delicious, and I love that we came out with our own versions of cookie bars within a day of one another. I gotta try those sugar cookie some time! 🙂
These bars are screaming my name!
They are! You should have one. 🙂
I am all about red velvet and chocolate too!! Well for the next two weeks 🙂 I wish I had these bars tonight!
And I wish I had one of your delicious cupcakes! 🙂
Who Marcie – these look incredible – I love red velvet, but have never had it in bars like this – amazing! Pinned for later!
Thank you, Jess, and I actually love these better than cupcakes! That’s saying something! 🙂
These bars look amazing, Marcie! I’m a sucker for anything red velvet flavored, so these are right up my alley. And that cheesecake topping takes these cuties to a whole other level! Love!! And pinned!
Thank you, Gayle, and I love your donuts! 🙂
Red velvet, cheesecake, AND cookies all in one gorgeous bar?! These sound like something I need in my life pronto! So pretty, Marcie!
Thanks, Sarah, and you do need some! Sending them on over. haha
All these red velvet recipes are making me hungry. I love that you have added a cheesecake spin to it. So good!
Have a great week 🙂
Thanks, Dannii! Red velvet and cheesecake together are the best! 🙂
Gotta get in as much red velvet as possible over the next two weeks! Tis the season!
I’m actually not tempted by red velvet sweets but these have captured my attention! I love how you combined it with cheesecake! Yummers. 🙂
Thank you, Tina! Cheesecake always makes everything better doesn’t it?! 🙂
That cheesecake layer takes these bars to an EPIC level! So YUM!
Thank you, Shashi! That cheesecake layer just made these cookie bars the best ever! 🙂
I am obsessed with these bars! You combined 2 of my very favorite desserts: red velvet and cheesecake. Yum! These will be perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Thank you, Natalie! These bars go down as my favorite red velvet dessert so far! 🙂
What perfect red velvet cheesecake bars. Man I love anything red velvet – so these definitely are making me hungry Marcie!
Thank you, Thalia! The cheesecake put these over the top! 🙂
Hi Marcie! These bars look so amazing! I love cheese cake bars and think I would be like you and want one right away. I have very little patience and will power 😀 Pinning !
Hi, Cindy!! 🙂 I’m glad I’m not the only one with no patience! haha And thanks for the pin! 🙂
Oh how I wish I could come to your house and steal one of these from the fridge!! 🙂 haha They look insanely good Marcie!
Come on over any time, and you wouldn’t have to steal one as I’d be happy to share! 🙂
Totally craving red velvet anything now. There is something really special about red velvet cookies. You’ve done a great job combining all fab things together. Pinning for sure.
We had a red velvet layer cake for a family birthday the other day so now I think I’ve finally had my fill or red velvet…maybe. 😉 Thank you for the pin, Ash! 🙂
So much red velvet goodness here! These bars sound fantastic- such a fun treat for this time of year!
Thank you, Allie, and there was a lot of red velvet goodness here! Red velvet and cheesecake were meant to be together. 🙂
These look SO good, Marcie! I love anything with cheesecake, and these are such a fun Valentine’s Day treat!
Thank you, Kristine! These were very fun and bonus that they’re easy to make! 🙂
Um, can you send these my way?! They look amazing! 🙂
Consider them sent! haha Thanks, Annie! 🙂
can not have enough of red velvet especially during this time of the year! looks fantastic Marcie!
I can’t either, Manali, and thank you! 🙂
These look great!! Cheesecake bars are THE BEST!! And these are so cute and perfect for Valentine’s Day!!
You right Marcie, red velvet and cheesecake are HEAVENLY together 🙂
I’m glad you agree, ladies! 🙂
These bars look amazing Marcie! I’m totally making them for Valentine’s Day!
Thank you, Christin — I am too!
I have a pan of brownie cheesecake bars cooling on the counter…I’m thinking we each get half??? Deal? These look amazing Marcie!
I’ll trade with you any time, Trish! I can’t wait to see yours! 🙂