Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on ends.

Step 2

Prepare cheesecake layer: In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add 1 egg and flour and beat until blended; set aside.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

Step 4

With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in 1 egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.

Step 5

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Spread cream cheese mixture over pumpkin batter. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Step 6

Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and cheesecake is set, about 45 minutes. Cool completely in pan.

Step 7

Lift bars from pan (using foil as an aid). Peel off foil, and use a serrated knife to cut into 16 squares.