101 Cooking For Two

  • Recipes
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • ๐Ÿ“–Emails
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • ๐Ÿ“–Emails
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • ๐Ÿ“–Emails
ร—
๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Dessert Recipes

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake or Cheesecake Bars

Updated: Jan 31, 2025 ยท Published: Dec 4, 2024 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 17 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

This easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake recipe can be made as a whole cheesecake or, as we prefer, impressive Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars or Bites. It is simple and almost foolproof, using cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and an Oreo crust. Please try our go-to recipe for parties or take-a-dish occasions.

๐ŸฅฃIngredients

Cream Cheese
Eggs
Mini-chocolate chips
Sweetened condensed milk
Oreo Crustโ€”Oreo cookies, butter

Chocolate chip cheesecake bars on a platter square view.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars or Bites
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐ŸฅฃIngredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Chocolate Chip Cheesecakeโ€”Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
  • ๐ŸŒก๏ธWhen is a cheesecake done?
  • โœ”๏ธMake it right every time
  • โœ”๏ธSpecial tips for cheesecake bars
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณOptions and variations
  • ๐Ÿ“‹Other Cream Cheese Recipes
  • ๐ŸดHow to serve and store cheesecake
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Prevent Cracks in Cheesecake
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

quote mark
Featured Comment by LisaA:
"Delicious!!!! Thank you!"
โญโญโญโญโญ

This recipe has made the rounds among staff and parents at my wife's grade school for years. We have often made it as a full-size cheesecake and, more recently, as cheesecake bites for parties.

With six common ingredients, you will be amazed at how easy it is to make a real Philidelphia cheesecake with the same amount of work as the no-bake variety. It will leave them asking for the recipeโ€”it has happened to me many times.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Chocolate Chip Cheesecakeโ€”Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

chocolate chip cheesecake ingredients.

1. Allow the cream cheese and eggs to rest for about 60 minutes at room temperature.

coating springform pan with butter
For a full-size cheesecake
line pan with parchment paper.
For cheesecake bars.

2. Butter a 9-inch springform pan for a full-size cheesecake. For cheesecake bars, line a 9 by 9 pan with crossed pieces of parchment paper.

pouring melted butter into chopped Oreos

3. Crush Oreo cookies and mix them with melted butter.

making oreo crust
Pressing to Oreo crust into the 9X9 pan.

4. Crush the crust mixture into the prepared panโ€”no need to bake.

cream cheese in the stand mixer

5. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat cream cheese until creamyโ€”2 to 3 minutes. DO NOT over-mix.

pouring sweetened condensed milk into stand mixer

6. Mix in the sweetened condensed milk and then the eggs, one at a time. Fold in half of the mini chocolate chips at the end of mixing.

sprinkling the top of the batter with mini chocolate chips
Sprinkle the top of the cheesecake with mini chocolate chips.

7. Pour cheesecake batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining chocolate chips.

Save this recipe!

Enter your email address and we'll send the link straight to your inbox!

cooked cheesecake out of the oven

8. Bake for 1 hour in a 300ยฐ oven until the edges are browning some, but the center may not look set. Turn off the oven and crack open the door for one hour.

Slice of chocolate chip cheesecake on a spatula over the cheesecake.
Philadelphia Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Chocolate chip cheesecake bars on platter.
Philadelphia Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars/Bites

9. Transfer to the refrigerator for cooling for at least six hours before cutting.

For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

๐ŸŒก๏ธWhen is a cheesecake done?

The edges will be slightly puffed and brown. There will still be a 2-inch to 3-inch wobbly spot in the center.

If you donโ€™t mind a hole in the surface, the internal temperature should be 150ยฐ when done. Never over 160ยฐ, or it will crack.

Slice of chocolate chip cheesecake on a spatula over the cheesecake.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

โœ”๏ธMake it right every time

The cream cheese and the eggs must be at room temperature before starting, or they will not combine easily. Remove the cardboard box from the cream cheese. I recommend 60 to 90 minutes, but approaching 2 hours makes the doctor in my worry. If you use cold ingredients, you will see more cracks and are more likely to have the center fall.

Sweetened condensed milk adds more creaminess and sweetness and helps the cream cheese set, making this recipe even more foolproof.

Cheesecake is not low-fat. Use full-fat cream cheese.

DO NOT over-mix. It will add tiny air bubbles, which will expand and cause cracks.

Quality mattersโ€”use good quality materials.

โœ”๏ธSpecial tips for cheesecake bars

A few dots of butter will help hold the parchment in place. Keep the sheets long to pick up the cheesecake and remove it from the pan after cooling.

If the cheesecake sticks in the pan, put an inch of hot water in the kitchen sink and set the pan in it for a few minutes. It will come right out.

Cut just before taking to the party with a long sharp knife. Warm the knife with hot running water and rinse off every few cuts.

The bars, sometimes called squares or fingers, can be any size you want, but they are very rich, so smaller is a good idea.

For finger food at parties, I suggest cutting it into 64 one-inch square cheesecake bites.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณOptions and variations

To make vanilla cheesecake

To make a vanilla Philadelphia cheesecake, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to replace the chocolate chips and use the Graham crackers crust.

Graham cracker crust option

For Graham cracker crust: Crush about 12 whole sheets of Graham crackers to make about 1 ยฝ cups of graham cracker crumbs, and add 4 tablespoons of sugar and 5 tablespoons of melted butter.

Spread into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes in a 350ยฐ oven until browning some. Remove to cool. Turn the oven down to 300ยฐ for the cheesecake.

๐Ÿ“‹Other Cream Cheese Recipes

Check out these other cheesecake recipes, like Easy Cheesecake Bars, Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, and Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars.

๐ŸดHow to serve and store cheesecake

Allow the slices to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Top the vanilla cheesecake with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries.

You can store it refrigerated and covered with plastic wrap for 4 days or in the freezer, sealed airtight, for 3 months. I suggest cutting it into individual slices, freezing them solid, and then wrapping them tightly.

โ“FAQs

The crust appears a bit sparse; can I increase it?

The crust will seem like it is not enough, but it is. If you want it to go up the side more, increase the amount by about 25%.

What is the difference between Philadelphia and New York Cheesecake?

This is a Philadelphia-style cheesecake, which is mainly cream cheese with additives. New York-style cheesecake usually has sour cream or heavy cream mixed in the batter.

Why does the center sink on my cheesecake?

There are several reasons.

1) Having the ingredients too cold at the start. This will prevent the ingredients from coming together smoothly, leading to over-mixing.
2) Just over mixing.
3) Undercooking.

These are some of the same issues that cause cracks. A water bath will help, but it will not totally prevent sinking. For instructions on using a water bath, see the section on crack prevention.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Prevent Cracks in Cheesecake

First, cracks in the cheesecake happen. I have rarely had many issues; it is not the end of the world if it does happen. In addition to cooling carefully, here are some more tips.

  1. Air bubbles in the batter can cause cracks, so donโ€™t overmix. Please make sure the cream cheese is warm to mix it easier and has no lumps. Add the eggs carefully, and donโ€™t overmix since the eggs trap air easily.
  2. When it cools, the cheesecake will shrink slightly. If it sticks to the side while that happens, it will crack. So, be sure to grease the pan well and run a knife around the edge of the cake about 15 minutes after turning off the heat.
  3. Using a water bath is optional for me. Humidity can help avoid cracks and stabilize the temperature. I donโ€™t usually do this. It is not complicated but can be a bit messy if you are not careful; just set the springform pan in a large pan of water during baking with the water coming up to โ…” of the height of the cake pan.
  4. Avoid opening the oven door to keep checking the cake. Drafts and temperature changes can cause cracking.
  5. In general, an oven temperature for cheesecake should never be over 325ยฐ. This recipe uses 300ยฐ; if you are unsure of your oven's accuracy, check it with an oven thermometer.
  6. Overcooking is probably the most common cause of cracking.
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

Chocolate chip cheesecake bars on a platter square view.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake or Cheesecake Bars

5 from 3 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
This easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake recipe can be made as a whole cheesecake or, as we prefer, impressive Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars. It is simple and almost foolproof, using cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and an Oreo crust. Please try our go-to recipe for parties or take-a-dish occasions.
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :12 servings
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Video Slideshow

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 24 oz cream cheese - room temperature
  • 3 eggs - room temperature
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 12 oz mini-chocolate chips
Oreo Crust
  • 18 Oreo cookies crushed - for about 1 ยฝ cups of crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • Remove the boxes from the cream cheese. Allow the cream cheese and eggs to rest at room temperature for 60 to 90 minutes. Then, preheat the oven to 300ยฐ.
    Chocolate chip cheesecake ingredients-labeled.
  • Butter a 9-inch springform pan for a full-size cheesecake. For cheesecake bars, line a 9 by 9 pan with crossed pieces of parchment paper. Dots of butter in the corners will help hold the parchment in place.
    Preparing a springform pan and square pan for baking.
  • Crush 18 standard Oreo cookies (about 1 ยฝ cups).
    Crushing Oreo cookies in a plastic bag.
  • Melt 4 tablespoons of butter.
    melting butter in a small bowl in a microwave
  • In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter into crushed Oreos.
    pouring melted butter into chopped Oreos
  • Crush the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan using a fork. Break up any remaining larger pieces, and be sure to get complete coverage. It will not look like enough, but it is.ย Do not bake the Oreo crust.
    Smashing Oreo crust into the bottom of the prepared pans.
  • Start the filling with 24 ounces of cream cheese. Beat at a medium speed with a stand or hand mixer for 2-3 minutes to make it a little fluffy and creamy texture. DO NOT over-mix.
    cream cheese in a stand mixer
  • Add one 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk. Mix at a slower speed until combined.ย Now, add 3 eggs one at a time until smooth, but do not overbeat. At the end of mixing, fold in half the 12-oz pack of mini chocolate chips.
    adding sweetened condenced milk to the cream cheese in a stand mixer
  • Pour cheesecake filling into the prepared pan and top with remaining chocolate chips.
    Topping the raw cheesecake with more mini chocolate chips.
  • Bake for 1 hour until edges begin to brown, but the center may not look set. Do not go poking it with toothpicks or anything else to check for done.ย 
    The cheesecake with browned edges.
  • Turn off the oven and crack open the door to cool. About 15 minutes into cooling, run a knife around the edge of a full cheesecake to help release it from the pan. Cool in the oven for 1 hour before transferring to the refrigerator for 6 hours more. After refrigerating, you may remove the cheesecake from the pan and cut.
    A slice of chocolate chip cheesecake and a plate full of chocolate chip cheesecake bars.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

Instru
  1. This is not a "for two" recipe and will not scale down well.
  2. Allow the eggs and cream cheese to rest at room temperature for at least 60 minutes before starting.
  3. The crust will seem like it is not enough, but it is. If you want it to go up the side more, increase the amount by about 25%.
  4. Watch the edge to tell if this is done. The edge will be browning some, but the center may not look set. Do not go poking it with toothpicks or anything else to check for done.ย 
  5. If you donโ€™t mind a hole in the surface, the internal temperature should be 150ยฐ when done. Never over 160ยฐ, or it will crack.
  6. Be sure to run a knife around the pan to release the cake from the pan about 15 minutes into cooling.
  7. Cool it in the oven with the door partly open.
  8. Cool for at least 6 hours in the refrigerator. DO NOT cut this before properly cooling.
  9. Store refrigerated for 4 days. Also, it will freeze very well for about 3 months.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 666 kcal (33%)Carbohydrates : 61 g (20%)Protein : 11 g (22%)Fat : 48 g (74%)Saturated Fat : 24 g (120%)Polyunsaturated Fat : 1 gMonounsaturated Fat : 4 gCholesterol : 97 mg (32%)Sodium : 381 mg (16%)Potassium : 66 mg (2%)Fiber : 3 g (12%)Sugar : 48 g (53%)Vitamin A : 850 IU (17%)Calcium : 180 mg (18%)Iron : 3.2 mg (18%)

Editor's Note: Originally Published December 20, 2013. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

dogs running slowly in the yard

More Dessert Recipes

  • Apple crisp with ice cream.
    Small Crock Pot Apple Crisp
  • Slice of flourless chocolate ganache cake on a spatula.
    Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
  • loaf of banana nut bread on a cutting board
    Betty Crocker Banana Bread Recipe
  • Two lemon squares on a gray plate.
    Easy Lemon Bars

Comments

    This post has been updated and republished. All comments are held for moderation due to spam issues. Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Please leave a comment or question. All comments are moderated.




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jan says

    September 17, 2024 at 1:45 pm

    I haven't made this yet so I'm not rating it. I wanted to ask a question. I couldn't find the Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe that you referred to in a comment. My granddaughter loves it and I made one using a recipe I found and it was a total failure.

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      September 17, 2024 at 2:02 pm

      Hi Jan,

      Welcome to the blog.

      I emailed you a PDF and a link to the Wayback Machine archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20231130012808/https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/easy-pumpkin-spice-cheesecake/

      Dan

  2. Nancy says

    May 30, 2022 at 7:25 pm

    5 stars
    delicious

    Reply
  3. Karleen Taylor says

    April 18, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! If this taste anything like it smells itโ€™s a 10! Laughing about โ€œdonโ€™t go poking around with a toothpick!โ€ Thatโ€™s exactly what I am tempted to do. Thanks so much for all the hard work you put in your recipes. We have a Golden, too. Best breed of dogs!

    Reply
  4. Leslie says

    December 21, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Usually make morning before serving, how many days can I make it in advance? Love this cheesecake! 5 stars

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      December 21, 2016 at 11:54 am

      1-2 days is good. At 3 days, texture is changing some. But it freezes great, I have done that many times with this cake. So I would not cook more than 1 day ahead since there will be leftovers.
      Happy Holidays
      Dan

  5. DrDan says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks for the comment and rating. I love this cheesecake but it is just too good to make often. I have a pumpkin cheese cake post going up soon.

    DrDan

    Reply
  6. LisaA says

    October 22, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious!!!! Thank you!

    Reply
  7. Madeline says

    September 24, 2015 at 10:02 am

    So excited to try this! My best friend loves chocolate chip cheesecake and I've been wanting to make it for a surprise. So excited about trying this!! Thanks, DrDan!

    Reply
  8. SG says

    April 19, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    I've been making this for years. A couple of changes though. I add 2 tsps of vanilla to batter. I also coat choc chips in alittle flour (1tsp) before adding to batter. This helps them from sinking in cake. I bake at 325 for an hour with a pan of hot water (1 in deep) on rack below for moisture. Lastly, I turn off oven and leave it in oven for about 30-60 minutes with door ajar to cool down to ensure no cracking. Hope this helps!!

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      April 19, 2014 at 5:07 pm

      Thanks for the hints.
      DrDan

  9. Linsey says

    March 24, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    This is my first time ever making a cheesecake so I looked up online some tips and it said you were too leave it in the oven and just crack the door and let it cool I. There? I hope that's not true because I didn't do this and it's already out of the oven and it's look kinda weird

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      March 24, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      Just let it cool at room temperature for an hour then refrigerate. Initially the center looks not done but it looks much better after cooled. The "crack the door" thing is a way to slow the cooling and decrease cracking. We have never had much of any cracking with this recipe without doing the slow oven cooling.
      DrDan

  10. Jessika says

    February 21, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Looks good but how many calories? Do you know?

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      February 22, 2014 at 8:06 am

      Lots and Lots... I ran it through a calorie analyzer and it is about 7000 for the whole cake. That is a rough estimate and no guarantees, I usually like to do a hand calculation but seems about right.

      Eat small slices.

      DrDan

  11. Pam says

    December 20, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Excellent! There's no dessert better than this!

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      December 21, 2013 at 8:08 am

      Yep.... Excellent.... not much else to say other than it really is not hard to do.
      DrDan

DrDan imageHi, I'm DrDan.
Welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy step-by-step photo instructions.
About DrDan

Pan Seared 30-min. Dinners

  • NY strip steak cut on an orange plate
    Pan Seared New York Strip Steak (Oven Finished & Juicy Every Time)
  • pork tenderloin on blue platter
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
  • cooked seared chicken breast on a white plate
    Pan Seared Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
  • filtet mignon with potatoes on a white plate
    How to Cook Filet Mignon in the Oven (Pan-Seared & Perfectly Juicy)
  • Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Chops from 101 Cooking for Two
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Chops
  • 30-Minute Boneless Pork Ribs (Oven-Baked Country-Style with BBQ Flavor)
SITES THAT I WORK WITH OR HAVE HAD RECIPES FEATURED OR REFERENCED.
SITES THAT I WORK WITH OR HAVE HAD RECIPES FEATURED OR REFERENCED.

Footer

BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Join the club
SUBSCRIBE TODAY

About

  • About DrDan and the Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Comment Policy
  • Guest Posts, Partnering, and Business Questions

Content

  • Food FAQ
  • Kitchen Reference Sheets
  • Recipes Featured in the Videos
  • Guide To Cooking for Two
  • Old Saved Recipes Collections

dogs by the pond

โ†‘ back to top โ†‘a

Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact

COPYRIGHT ยฉ 2010-2025 101 COOKING FOR TWO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | BASED ON FOODIE PRO THEME