Oreo Cheesecake Bars

I've never been a big baker.  In my opinion, it's pretty boring.  But I find that the older my kids get, the more I want to create yummy treats for birthdays, holidays and other similar celebrations.  My baby turned one last month and I found these treats on Annie's Eats.  She's simply amazing.  She's a little intimidating.  I mean, these women really exsist?!  

Oreo Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

CRUST:

23 Oreo cookies

2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

CHEESECAKE

12 oz cream cheese, room temperature

6 Tbsp sugar

6 Tbsp sour cream, room temperature

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk

12 Oreo cookies, roughly chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325º. 

Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with foil. 

CRUST:

Crush Oreos with a food processor until finely ground.  Add in the melted butter and pulse until the cookie crumbs are moistened. Transfer the mixture to the lined pan.  Press the crumbs into an even layer over the bottom of the pan.  Bake for 10 minutes, the set aside.  Leave oven on. 

FILLING:

Add cream cheese to a bowl and beat on medium-high speed until light and smooth.  Mix in the sugar until well combined. Blend in sour cream, vanilla and salt.  Beat in the egg and yolk on medium high speed until incorporated.  Be sure to scrape the bowl.  Stir in the chopped Oreos with a rubber spatula.

Pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, smooth the top with a spatula.  Bake for about 40 minutes, until the cheesecake is set around the edges but slightly wobbly in the center. 

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for about 1 hour to room temperature.  Cover the pan and refrigerate until well chilled, about 3 hours.  

To cut the bars, pull the cake from the pan by lifting the foil up out of the pan.  Place on cutting board, peel away the foil and slice into bars. 

*Clean the knife blade between each slice to keep the edges neat. 

Keep refrigerate until ready to serve.