Brownie Layer: 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup flour.
Cheesecake Layer: 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp vanilla.
Cookie Layer: 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This makes it much easier to lift the bars out once they have cooled. Lightly grease the parchment with non-stick spray to ensure nothing sticks to the edges.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, beating well. Sift in the cocoa powder and flour, then fold the mixture gently until no dry streaks remain. Pour this thick, fudgy batter into the bottom of your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer with a spatula.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the mixture is completely smooth and lump-free. Pour this creamy mixture directly over the raw brownie batter layer, spreading it carefully to the edges.
Cream the butter and sugars together until pale. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the flour and baking soda, then fold in the chocolate chips. Instead of spreading this like a solid sheet, take small clumps of the cookie dough and flatten them with your fingers. Drop these “disks” over the cheesecake layer until it is mostly covered. This allows some cheesecake to peek through for a beautiful marbled effect.
Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The edges should be golden brown and the center should have a slight jiggle but feel set. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. For the best fudgy and chewy texture, refrigerate the bars for at least two hours before slicing. This helps the cheesecake layer firm up perfectly.
