Oreo Bars

These Oreo Cake bars are a mix of chocolate fudge brownies and cheesecake all studded through with Oreo cookies.
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These cookie-and-cream Oreo Bars are the best of both worlds! It all starts with a fudgy brownie layer speckled with crushed Oreos. On top of that, I add a simple tangy cheesecake layer on top and then the finishing touch is more Oreo cookies on top. This is the best dessert bar recipe, and each bite will send you to dessert heaven! Make this Oreo bar recipe all year round! The flavor is all the way popping!

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A stack of three oreo bars on the counter with a glass of milk in the background and oreos on the table in front.

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If you struggle between choosing between brownies, cheesecake, and Oreos for your favorite dessert then these Oreo cookie-and-cream dessert bars are perfect for YOU! Now you can enjoy both in one decadent treat. I’ve taken my best brownie recipe, added some Oreo cookies to it, and then topped it with a fluffy and creamy cheesecake layer with even more Oreo cookies. They are the perfect combination of chocolatey, creamy, tangy goodness! Y’all I’m telling you, you won’t’ be able to stop eating them.

The Heart & Soul Of This Oreo Bars Recipe

Cuisine Inspiration: Classic American
Primary Cooking Method: Oven
Dietary Info: Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Combines rich chocolatey brownies with creamy and tangy cheesecake with Oreo cookies baked into the brownies and sprinkled on top.
Skill Level: Beginner

Sweet Spots

  • Three Desserts In One! This dessert mashup gives you a bite of brownie, oreo and cheesecake in the same bite.
  • Great for Potlucks and Parties. Dessert bars work great for parties and groups since they bake up in one pan and make plenty for sharing.
  • Crowd Pleaser. Who doesn’t love a good brownie? This Oreo bar is sure to be a hit at all your events and everyone will be asking you to make them again!
  • Easy to Make. While they do take a bit of time from start to finish, the actual preparation is quite easy and most of the time is to allow the Oreo cheesecake bars time to set up.
  • So Much Chocolate Goodness. This is sure to be your new favorite brownie. It’s got the classic brownie texture with plenty of intense chocolate flavor and a crispy little pockets of Oreo cookies.

Ingredients to Make Oreo Bars

  • Butter: Use unsalted butter for a more balanced flavor and control over the salt added to your Oreo bars.
  • Sugar: The Oreo brownie layer is made with a combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar. I find the brown sugar adds a more complex sweetness to the brownies, along with some additional moisture. You will also need a bit more granulated sugar to sweeten the cheesecake.
  • Eggs: For both layers of these Oreo bars. An extra egg white in the creamy topping makes it lighter and fluffier. Make sure you give them time to warm up to room temperature before baking.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds warmth, and natural sweetness, and brings all the flavors together in the brownie base and the creamy cheesecake layer on top.
  • All-purpose flour and cocoa powder: Combine to give the brownies structure and rich, chocolate flavor.
  • Baking soda and kosher salt: For flavor and lift!
  • Oreo cookies: Crushed Oreo cookies are added to the decadent brownie batter but also added on top of the cheesecake layer.
  • Cream Cheese: Room-temperature cream cheese adds creamy richness.
  • Heavy Cream: Mixes with the cream cheese to create the silky, rich cheesecake layer that takes the bars over the top.
  • Cornstarch: To thicken everything up so it firmly stays on top of the brownie layer.
Ingredients to make oreo bars on the counter before mixing together.

How to Make Oreo Bars

Step 1: Make the Brownie Batter

  1. Add the melted butter and both sugars to a bowl and mix on medium speed with an electric mixer.
  2. Add the eggs one at a time and mix after each one to incorporate it well.
  3. Add the oil and vanilla extract to the bowl.
  4. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Then add the dry ingredients to the bowl in two batches and mix on low speed. Mix only until everything is combined.
  5. Stir in the crushed Oreos using a spatula or wooden spoon.
  6. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake the brownies until the edges are just set and the center is still soft.
A collage showing the steps for mixing the brownie base for these oreo bars.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Layer

  1. Mix the cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl until light and creamy.
  2. Add the egg and egg white. Mix until well combined.
  3. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract.
  4. Mix them into the creamy mixture.
A collage of images showing the steps for mixing the cheesecake topping for these oreo cookie bars.

Step 3: Assemble

  1. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the brownie layer.
  2. Sprinkle the top with the crushed Oreos and continue baking at 225F until the cheesecake is set around the edges with just a tiny jiggle in the center when moved. Cool the bars completely in the pan and then move to the refrigerator for 5-7 hours.
Oreo bar mixture poured into a pan and topped then topped with cookies.

Tips for Making the Best Oreo Brownie Bars

  • Line Your Baking Pan. Using parchment paper in your pan with a 2-inch overhang makes it super easy to remove the bars after baking.
  • Don’t Over Mix. This is crucial in most dessert recipes. Once you add the dry ingredients to the bowl, gluten begins to form. The more you mix, the more you activate the gluten, which leads to dry, tough bars.
  • Cool and Chill. After baking be sure to allow the bars time to fully cool and then chill in the fridge before cutting them. This gives the cheesecake layer plenty of time to set up.
  • Use a Hot Knife for Cutting. Run your knife through a stream of running hot water and then dry off. The heat allows the knife to cleanly cut through the bars with clean even cuts. You may need to wipe the blade and run it through the water in between cuts.
  • Swap the Oreo Cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are another popular option for making these brownie bars.
  • Skip the Cookies. Leave them out for a simple brownie and cheesecake combination or you can add a layer of cherry pie filling on top. For a combination reminiscent of Black Forest Cake.
  • Add Nuts: If you are a fan of nuts you can add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the brownie batter and also sprinkle some on top.
  • Experiment with Other Oreo Cookie Flavors: It’s an easy way to add variety and try something different!
  • Salted Butter: If all you have is salted butter be sure to leave out the salt or give it a taste and add only as much as needed.
Oreo cookie bars on the counter in front of a cooling rack.

How to Store Oreo Bars

To keep those Oreo cake bars super fresh, let them cool completely after baking. Store them in an airtight container and separate the layers with parchment paper if they are stacked up. The flavor will still be on point when stored in the fridge. It helps keep that great texture. They will be fine sitting out for about an hour or two but may not hold up so well outside on a hot day for a long time.

How long will Oreo bars last in the fridge?

Kept this way, they’ll keep that perfect texture and taste in the fridge for up to 5 days, ready to be enjoyed whenever you are!

Can I freeze Oreo cheesecake bars?

Freezing desserts, especially those with creamy dairy layers like cheesecake, can be a bit of a juggling act because freezing can switch up the texture. But if you’ve got some leftovers and you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, go ahead and stash them in the freezer for a bit. Just keep them in a single layer or slide some parchment between them, and they’re good for a chill session of up to three months. When you’re ready to dive back in, let them thaw in the fridge.

Oreo brownie with cheesecake top with a bite missing sitting directly on the counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when these Oreo bars are done baking?

This dessert bakes twice so there are two different times to check. The brownie layer is done when the edges appear set while the center is soft. After adding the cheesecake layer we cook again at a lower temperature and again the edges should be set while the center may be slightly jiggly.

Why is my brownie layer dry?

If your brownies cook up on the dry side you may have either over mixed or over baked them. Make sure you just mix the brownie batter until they come together. Also, cooked items often experience carry over cooking where they continue to cook after they are removed from the oven. So as soon as they ready remove them from the oven.

How do you prepare the pan with parchment paper?

First, you want to cut your parchment paper out slightly larger than the shape of your pan. I suggest allowing an extra 1-2 inches for the sides of the pan and then also another inch. This will allow the parchment to hang over the edge of the pan so you can easily lift the dessert out after baking. Next, spray your pan so the parchment paper will stick to the pan. Then, make 1-2 inch cuts at each of the corners towards the center of the paper so you can fold the corners in to fit the pan. Last, press the parchment into the pan and smooth it out into the corners and bottom of the pan.

An overhead of oreo bars on the counter cut into squares and one turned on the side to show layers.

These Oreo bars are about to be your new obsession! I mean, come on โ€“ who wouldn’t go crazy for this killer combo of fudgy brownies, crunchy Oreo cookies, and that classic, creamy cheesecake goodness? They’re a breeze to whip up, and trust me, you’ll be the MVP of any party when you roll in with these bad boys.

A stack of three oreo bars on the counter with some milk in the background in a glass.

Best Oreo Bars

These Oreo Cake bars are a mix of chocolate fudge brownies and cheesecake all studded through with Oreo cookies.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 48 minutes
Chilling 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 58 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 24 bars

Ingredients

For Brownie

  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ยพ cup granulated sugar
  • ยฝ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ยพ cup all-purpose flour
  • ยฝ cup cocoa powder
  • ยผ teaspoon baking soda
  • ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยฝ cup chopped Oreos

For Cheesecake layer

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • โ…“ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 large egg white room temperature
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoons heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped Oreos

Instructions

For Brownie

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Set rack in middle position. Liberally spray 8×8 inch square baking pan with nonstick baking spray, then line it with parchment paper, leaving at least 2 inches of overhang.
  • In a medium bowl, using your hand mixer, add melted butter and both sugars. Mix on medium speed.
  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition to incorporate well.
  • Add in oil and vanilla extract.
  • Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
  • Reduce mixer speed to low and add dry ingredients in two intervals. Mix until just incorporated. Stir in crushed Oreos by hand.
  • Add brownie batter to prepared pan.
  • Bake until edges are just set and the center is still soft, about 18 minutes.

For Cheesecake Layer

  • Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch until light and creamy.
  • Add in egg and egg white. Mix until well-combined.
  • Add in cream and vanilla extract.
  • Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie layer. Sprinkle the top with the crushed Oreos and continue baking for another 15 minutes at 350F.
  • Lower the oven temperature to 225F and bake until cheesecake is set around the edges with just a tiny jiggle in the center when moved. Check after about 15 minutes. If it is too jiggly, let it bake another 3-5 minutes but keep an eye on it.
  • Cool in pan completely, then move to refrigerator for at least for 2 hours. Cut with a hot knife and serve.

Notes

  • Line Your Baking Pan. Using parchment paper in your pan with a 2-inch overhang makes it super easy to remove the bars after baking.
  • Don’t Over Mix. This is crucial in most dessert recipes. Once you add the dry ingredients to the bowl, gluten begins to form. The more you mix the more you activate the gluten which leads to dry tough bars.
  • Cool and Chill. After baking be sure to allow the bars time to fully cool and then chill in the fridge before cutting them. This gives the cheesecake layer plenty of time to set up.
  • Use a Hot Knife for Cutting. Run your knife through a stream of running hot water and then dry off. The heat allows the knife to cleanly cut through the bars with clean even cuts. You may need to wipe the blade and run it through the water in between cuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 102mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1.4mg
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Filed Under:  Bars And Brownies, Dessert and Baking, Oven

Comments

  1. Iโ€™m baking these right now and canโ€™t wait to try them. But I noticed that your cream cheese layer that was poured over the brownie batter looked so nice and even- i couldnโ€™t get mine to spread evenly like that. Hopefully it doesnโ€™t affect the texture or anything

  2. Question….for the baking of the cream cheese layer….is it bake at 350 for 15 min then lower to 225 until set or bake for 15 min at 225 until set. Written post and recipe are conflicting. Thanks!

    1. Hey doll, after adding the cream cheese layer and Oreos, continue baking at 350F for 15 minutes, THEN lower to 225 and bake until set. Does that help?

    1. Hi there. Did you try this recipe doubled and 9×13? I am thinking of doing this in a few days and wondered if any issues

  3. These Oreo bars are sooooooo good! I ate so many of these my family got mad at me. LOL. Thank you so much for this yumminess!

5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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