Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars: The Ultimate Low-Carb Dessert
Hello, fellow dessert lovers! If you’ve been on the hunt for a decadent, low-carb treat that satisfies both your sweet tooth and your keto lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that will make your taste buds dance with joy—Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars.
I can remember the first time I experimented with combining a chocolate chip cookie and cheesecake. I was trying to find a way to create a keto-friendly dessert that felt indulgent without breaking my carb count for the day. After some trial and error (and a few too many bites of the not-so-perfect batches), I finally nailed it. These bars are everything you love about both cheesecake and cookies, but with a keto twist. Let's dive in, shall we?
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
Before we start baking, here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need for this keto-friendly treat. I’ve ensured that everything aligns with the low-carb, high-fat principles of the ketogenic diet.
For the Cookie Layer:
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1 ½ cups almond flour (this keeps the recipe low-carb and gives it a nice texture)
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¼ cup erythritol (or your preferred keto-friendly sweetener)
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup sugar-free chocolate chips (the kind you love best—Lily’s is a great option!)
For the Cheesecake Layer:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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½ cup heavy cream
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¼ cup erythritol (again, adjust based on your sweetness preference)
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
Optional:
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½ teaspoon cinnamon (for a warm, spicy twist)
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1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (if you want a deeper chocolate flavor)
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Chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for extra crunch, if desired
Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide
Now, let’s get to the fun part! Don’t worry—this recipe is simple and beginner-friendly, even for those who don’t consider themselves expert bakers. Here’s how to prepare your Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars later on.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough Layer
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the almond flour, erythritol, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and egg using an electric mixer (or by hand if you’re feeling strong!). Once well-combined, add the vanilla extract to the butter mixture and continue mixing. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until the dough forms. Fold in the sugar-free chocolate chips.
Step 3: Press Cookie Dough into the Pan
Press the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to make sure it’s spread out in a thin, even layer. It’s okay if the dough is a little sticky—just wet your fingers or spoon slightly to help press it into place.
Step 4: Make the Cheesecake Layer
In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, erythritol, egg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Use an electric mixer to blend everything until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Pour Cheesecake Layer Over Cookie Dough
Once your cheesecake filling is ready, pour it over the cookie dough layer. Utilize a spatula to evenly distribute the cheesecake layer.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Place your baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheesecake layer is set and lightly golden on top. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better!). Chilling allows the bars to firm up, making them easier to cut into perfect squares.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Once chilled, slice the bars into 16 squares, serve, and enjoy! If you want to take it up a notch, drizzle some sugar-free chocolate syrup or top with whipped cream.
Macro Breakdown: Keto-Friendly Nutrition
Wondering how these decadent bars fit into your keto lifestyle? Here’s the macro breakdown per serving (1 bar, assuming 16 bars total):
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Calories: 200 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 4g (Net Carbs: 3g)
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Fats: 18g
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Proteins: 5g
These macros are perfect for anyone on a keto diet, keeping your carbs low while delivering a satisfying amount of healthy fats and moderate protein.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a more detailed look at the nutritional content per bar:
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Calories: 200 kcal
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Total Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
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Carbohydrates: 4g
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Fiber: 1g
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Net Carbs: 3g
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Protein: 5g
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Cholesterol: 55mg
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Sodium: 130mg
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Calcium: 45mg
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Iron: 1.2mg
This makes the Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars a delicious and healthy treat to satisfy your sweet cravings without derailing your keto goals.
Serving Size and Preparation Time
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Servings: 16 bars
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Preparation Time: 15 minutes
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Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
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Chill Time: 2 hours (or longer for the best texture)
Additional Tips
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Storage: Keep any remaining bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 5 days. These bars also freeze well, so feel free to store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
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Serving: These bars are perfect on their own, but you can serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or even a drizzle of sugar-free caramel or chocolate syrup.
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Baking Technique: For best results, make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the cheesecake layer.
Keto Notes: Why These Ingredients Work
If you’re following a keto diet, you’re probably wondering how these ingredients fit into your daily macros. Let me break it down:
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Almond flour is a fantastic low-carb substitute for regular flour, providing healthy fats and fiber.
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Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels, making it a perfect keto-friendly sweetener.
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Cream cheese and heavy cream are both high in fat, which helps you stay in ketosis while providing that rich, creamy texture.
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Sugar-free chocolate chips add the perfect chocolatey bite without adding sugar or unnecessary carbs.
Nutritional Benefits: Why You’ll Love These Bars
These bars aren’t just low in carbs—they’re also packed with healthy fats from ingredients like butter, almond flour, and cream cheese. The high-fat content helps keep you feeling full and satisfied, while the protein and fiber from the almond flour balance out the carbs. This makes these bars an ideal dessert for anyone looking to maintain stable blood sugar levels or manage their weight.
Tips and Variations
Want to mix things up? Here are a few ideas:
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Add nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans to the cookie dough for extra crunch.
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Try different sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit if you prefer a different flavor profile.
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Add flavor extracts like almond or hazelnut to enhance the taste.
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Make it chocolatey by adding a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the cheesecake filling.
Common FAQs
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Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour? You can, but coconut flour is much more absorbent, so you'll need to adjust the quantity. Start with ¼ cup coconut flour and increase as necessary.
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What if I don’t have erythritol? You can substitute with other keto-friendly sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia. Just adjust to your sweetness preference.
Friendly Ending
There you have it! Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars that are as delicious as they are satisfying. I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy the creamy, cookie-crumble goodness of these bars. Don’t forget to share your creations with me—I’d love to hear how you personalize them and what variations you try. Happy baking!
If you have any questions or need any extra tips, feel free to drop them in the comments below. Enjoy your low-carb indulgence!