Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

I love trying new recipes, and this Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars from Lovely Little Kitchen is one of my new favorite recipes.

They are so indulgent, and definitely a crowd-pleaser!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars (recipe credit Lovely Little Kitchen):

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1 c old fashioned oats
• 1/2 c brown sugar, packed 
• 1/2 c flour
• 6 T butter, melted

Cheesecake

• 16 oz cream cheese (2 blocks), softened 
• 1/3 c brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• 2 t vanilla
• 2 T flour
• 1/2 c chocolate chips

Chocolate Icing

• 1/2 c chocolate chips
• 1 T flavorless coconut oil

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper (spray the pan first with baking/cooking spray to help the parchment paper stick to the pan).
• In a bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, baking soda, and melted butter. Mix well.
• Press the oat mixture evenly onto the bottom of the pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes.  Set aside.
• In a medium bowl mix the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
• Add eggs one at a time, and mix until just combined. 
• Stir in vanilla, flour, and chocolate chips (in that order). 
• Pour the cheesecake batter over the crust. 
• Bake for 40 minutes. 
• Cool at room temperature for an hour, and then refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• Cut the cheesecake into squares or rectangles.
• Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds; stir until smooth (microwave in additional increments of 30 seconds if necessary).   
• Dip the top of each cheesecake bar into the melted chocolate.  
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.