Oatmeal Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars with Cookie Base
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Yield
- 24 bars
- Level
- medium
- Cuisine
- American
These indulgent layered bars combine a chewy oatmeal cookie base studded with butterscotch chips and a smooth, creamy cheesecake topping. The cookie layer provides wonderful texture contrast to the rich cream cheese filling, while cinnamon adds warmth to complement the sweet butterscotch flavor. Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or when you want to impress guests with a dessert that looks complicated but is surprisingly straightforward to make. The bars need to chill for several hours, making them an excellent make-ahead dessert.
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Method
12 steps- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x9 inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray
- 2
Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside
- 3
Beat butter, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until creamy
- 4
Add one egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat well
- 5
Add dry ingredients and mix until combined
- 6
Stir in oats and butterscotch chips
- 7
Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan
- 8
Beat cream cheese with hand mixer for 1 minute until smooth
- 9
Add sour cream, remaining egg, remaining sugar, and remaining vanilla and beat until smooth
- 10
Pour cheesecake mixture over cookie layer
- 11
Bake for 35-45 minutes until top looks solid and starts to crack around edges
- 12
Cool for one hour then refrigerate for at least three hours before cutting
Tips
Start with room temperature cream cheese and sour cream to ensure a smooth cheesecake layer without lumps.
Press the cookie layer firmly into the pan to create an even base that won't crumble when cut.
Let bars cool completely and chill for several hours - this helps them set properly for clean slicing.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 5 days
Can be made 1-2 days ahead - flavors actually improve overnight
Serve chilled, cut into squares with a sharp knife
Common Mistakes
Use room temperature dairy ingredients to avoid lumps in cheesecake layer
Don't overbake - remove when edges just start to crack to prevent dry texture
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
Will be slightly chewier
FAQ
Can I use regular oats instead of quick cooking?
Yes, old fashioned oats work fine but will give a slightly chewier texture to the cookie base.
How long do these bars keep in the refrigerator?
They stay fresh covered in the fridge for up to 5 days and actually taste better after the first day.
Can I freeze these bars for later?
Yes, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before serving.