Mini Oreo Cheesecakes

I am sitting here trying to figure out what to tell you today.  I am struggling.  I could talk about the weather.  It was in the 60's here today.  Kind of windy and overcast.  I could tell you about my day.  I went running today.  Ran for 5 miles, it was a tough 5 miles too.  Not sure why though?  I went at a different time than normal, but not that far off.  I usually go at 8:30 after I get my son on the bus.  Well on Tuesdays I volunteer in his classroom at 9:00, so I go after I am done with that.  I got hungry during my run, even though I ate breakfast.  I NEVER get hungry during a run.  Even when I ran my 1/2 marathon, I didn't get hungry.  I do the Gu and Power Blocks for the energy, not because I am actually hungry.  I also ran kind of fast today.  I kept trying to make myself slow down, but it just wasn't working.  Or maybe it was because I was by myself.  I usually do my "longer" runs with a friend.  Our schedules aren't working this week so I was on my own today.  I baked this afternoon too.  Not these little treats but something cinnamon!  It is my husbands last week of work.  Our wonderful friends had a going away party for us on Saturday.  While at the party one of my husbands coworkers suggested that I should send it one last batch of treats.  How could I not oblige!

Ok, so that is enough of nothing.  Why don't I just get to the treats.  I made these for a party we went to a couple weeks ago.  I am not a big fan of cheesecake (stems from my hatred for cream cheese), but when it is flavored I like it.  I figured my love of Oreo's would work for flavoring.  These were creamy and delicious!  My first ever attempt at cheesecake!

Mini Oreo Cheesecakes
Recipe adapted from Kraft Foods
Printable Recipe 

1 package Oreo's

3  8 oz pkg. Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup Sour Cream

1 tsp. vanilla

3   eggs

Heat oven to 325°F.

Put 1 cookie in 24 prepared muffin cups. Chop 8 of the remaining cookies; set aside. 

Beat cream cheese and sugar with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each just until blended. Gently stir in chopped cookies. Scoop into baking cups. 

Bake for 18 to 20 min. or until centers are set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 3 hours or until chilled.  Topped with Whipped Cream, and 1/2 an Oreo to serve. 

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars

 

The other night we went to a birthday party for a 3 year old.  I was asked to bring my guacamole to the party, and was more than happy to help.  I obviously love cooking, so I asked if I could bring anything else.  She thought she had it covered, but then heard what I was thinking of making.  She immediately took me up on my offer!  And boy am I glad I did.  It was a HUGE hit!  Everyone raved about them, and wanted the recipe!  The birthday boy loves baseball, and had a wonderful cake that looked just like a giant baseball, but these bars were a great treat as well. 

I don’t usually like Cheesecake, never really have.  But recently I am turning a corner, and have tasted a couple I like.  One was a layered cheesecake, with a chocolate cookie crust and then 3 layers (chocolate, almond, brown sugar) of cheesecake.  That was good!  I have been seeing a few different ideas on this bar floating around.  Some have a graham cracker crust, some don’t.  So I wanted to make my own version.  And boy these bars were good, I will happily make them again!   I guess this might prove that if you put enough sugar in cream cheese, I will eat it! 

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars

Printable Recipe

Cookie Layer:

½ cup butter

½ cup shortening

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 ¼ cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 bag chocolate chips

Cheesecake Layer:

1 (8oz) package cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

The cookie layer is just my normal chocolate chip cookie recipe.  Cream together the butter, shortening and sugar.  Add in eggs, and vanilla.   Mix in flour, salt, and baking soda.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Transfer this to another bowl.  

In mixer beat cream cheese until smooth  - about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.  Add sugar, egg and vanilla.  Mix until just combined. 

Using a 13x9 pan, spread ½ the cookie dough over the bottom of the pan.   Pour the cream cheese mixture over the dough.  With the remaining dough, drop chunks of it over the cream cheese.  

Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes.  The top will be lightly browned, and if you insert a toothpick it will come out clean.  This was my first time making anything related to Cheesecake, so I wasn’t sure how to tell when it was done.   But it was perfect!  

Allow to cool before slicing.  Store in the fridge.