Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars

Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Bars- another Bakerella favorite!

Makes 25

Crust
18 Oreos, crushed into crumbs
2 tbsp. sugar
5 tbsp. butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling
12 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp. flour
1 egg, plus 1 yolk
½ cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
12 Oreos, broken into pieces

Chocolate Ganache
½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp. butter
¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
⅛ cup powdered sugar
6 Oreos, broken into pieces

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. To make the crust, mix cookie crumbs and sugar together in a medium bowl. Add melted butter and stir until completely combined.

3. Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, firmly press mixture into the bottom of an 8″x8″ baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool.

4. To make the cheesecake filling, add sugar, cream cheese and flour to a large bowl. Using a mixer on medium-high speed, cream mixture until combined.

5. Turn mixer to low and add egg and yolk, mixing until combined. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until combined.

6. Stir in broken cookies and pour batter on prepared crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.

7. To make ganache, add cream and butter to a saucepan and heat on stove, removing just before boiling.

8. Place chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl and immediately pour cream over it. Let sit for a minute and then stir until completely combined.

9. Add powdered sugar and beat with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over cooled cheesecake and top with remaining cookie pieces. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

10. Cut into bars and serve.