Monster Cookie Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9x13 baking dish with aluminum foil, then spray with nonstick spray.
2. Prepare the crust. Beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and beat until creamy.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat to combine.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the salt, baking soda, flour, and oats. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated.
5. Add the chocolate chips and M&Ms and mix to combine.
6. Add about 2/3 of the cookie dough to the bottom of the baking dish and press into an even layer all the way to the sides. Set the remaining dough aside. Bake for 5 minutes then remove from the oven.
7. Prepare the cheesecake layer. Beat the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer until creamy. Add the sugar and beat again until smooth.
8. OPTIONAL: you can skip the semisweet baking chocolate and use original cheesecake filling. If you want chocolate cheesecake, melt the baking chocolate in a microwave safe dish in 30 second increments until melted and smooth. Add to the stand mixer and beat until creamy.
9. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each one. You want the eggs to be fully incorporated but do not overmix.
10. Pour into the baking dish and spread in an even layer all the way to the sides, on top of the cookie dough layer. Crumble the reserved cookie dough over the top of the cheesecake.
11. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the cheesecake is set.
12. Let cool on the counter for about 1 hour then transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 4 hours.
13. Gently lift the foil to remove the bars from the pan. Slice into squares, serve, and enjoy!
14. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.