Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake

This recipe combines my two favorite desserts: cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies. 

 

I know, right?!  If you are not a fan of either, there's something wrong with you and you can just stop reading now.  For the rest of us, here's the recipe...

 

For the chocolate chip cookie crust:

 

1/2 cup butter (or butter-flavored shortening)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 cups flour

2 cups chocolate chips

 

Cream together sugars and shortening. 

Add eggs, one at a time.

Add vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients (flour, salt and baking soda).  Slowly add to wet ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined.

Add chocolate chips. 

 

For the cheesecake:

 

2 pkgs cream cheese

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

 

Cream together cream cheese and sugar

Add egg and vanilla.  Beat until mixed. 

 

Assembly:

 

Take about 2/3 of the cookie dough and press it into the bottom of a greased, 9x13 pan. 

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the cookie dough crust

Crumble remaining cookie dough over the cream cheese mixture.

Bake in a 350 degree, preheated oven for 30 minutes. 

Banana Cream Pie Cheesecake

I saw a box of Nilla Wafers at the grocery store and inspiration for a Banana Cream Pie Cheesecake hit me.  With all the potassium and protein in this cheesecake, it's practically a health food.  Almost.

INGREDIENTS 

Crust:

2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 50)

1/3 cup + 3 Tbsp melted butter or margarine 

Filling:

1 1/4 cup mashed bananas (about 3 large)

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

2 Tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 eggs, lightly beaten

Topping:

1 large banana

1 small tub of whipped topping

Approx 12 vanilla wafers

DIRECTIONS

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line a 9" spring form pan with parchment paper. 

2.  Make crust by combining wafers and melted butter.  Reserve about 1/4 cup and press the rest into the bottom of the spring form pan.  Set aside.

3.  For the filling, combine bananas and lemon juice and set aside.  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.  Beat in the cornstarch, vanilla and sald.  Add eggs, beat on low speed just until combined.  Fold in banana mixture.  Pour into crust.  Place plan on baking sheet.  

4.  Bake at 325 for 70-80 minutes or until center is almost set.  Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.  Carefully run a knife around edges of plan; cool 45 minutes longer.  Refrigerate overnight.  

5.  Before serving, prepare the topping.  Slice banana and spread pieces on top of chilled cheesecake.  Cover with whipped topping and sprinkle with reserved wafer crust.  Place wafers along the edge of the cheesecake.  Serve and enjoy!