Oreos + cheesecake + snickers + caramel. Talk about a showstopper of a dessert! Plus, you won’t believe how simple it is to make these caramel snickers cheesecake bars!

Have I told you that my four boys decided to give up sweets?

For a year?

It’s been the most depressing eight weeks of my life so far. The good mother that I am, I try to talk them out of it every day.

Stacked caramel cheesecake Oreo cheesecake bars in a white ramekin.

They got a bee in their bonnet to do this after I off-handedly told them how a friend of mine was taking her daughter to Harry Potter world after a year of no sweets.

The next morning, the boys woke up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to announce that they, too, were going to go a year without sweets!

Snickers Oreo cheesecake bars topped with chocolate chips and caramel drizzle on a white platter.

I was like, “Whoa! No! No, no, no. No one is going to Harry Potter World at our house, sorry charlies.”

Yet, even with that dream crushing statement, they were undeterred.

They still committed to each other that very day – all four boys – to go a year without sweets, and they haven’t touched a treat, cookie, brownie, piece of cake (not even for little sis’ birthday!), juice, ice cream, homemade waffle cone, and on and on in two months.

It’s crazy.

I mean, on one hand, I have some serious respect for their resolve.

But on the other hand, I’m like:

WHOSE CHILDREN ARE YOU ANYWAY??

Top view of a caramel cheesecake chocolate chip bar with a bite taken out.

It’s no surprise, they’ve have gained a bit of notoriety at school and church regarding this goal of theirs as they’ve been politely turning down school birthday treats and church cookies time and time again.

Scout leaders have started bringing yogurt in addition to cookies for after-activity treats, and I’ve had a lot of adults tell me they are impressed that these boys are so committed.

And then they ask me if I’m tempted at all to join them.

And I proceed to laugh so long and so loudly that it’s awkward for everyone.

Um, no.

I fully recognize my limitations, and I understand and appreciate that a little chocolate here and there is pertinent to my sanity.

But I WILL admit that I am proud of the boys – not because they are giving up sweets, but because they are sacrificing to accomplish something really hard. Maybe after it’s all said and done, it will prove to be a character building experience.

Caramel Snickers cheesecake bars stacked on top of each other in a white ramekin.

I’m fairly certain that Brian’s coworkers and a few neighbors are hoping the kids never return back to the land of sweets, because they are benefitting greatly from the outpouring of leftover treats from my kitchen.

That’s the true test of commitment right there – I’ve still been making and testing and brainstorming dessert recipes, and my boys don’t seem swayed or tempted at all.

I’ve even checked the level of chocolate chips in the pantry just to be sure there isn’t any stealthy midnight snacking going on by little persons.

But…not surprisingly, so far, I’m the only one responsible for the dwindling chocolate chip supply.

These amazing Snickers cheesecake bars are just one example of a mind-blowing dessert I made in the last couple weeks, only to have the whole pan of decadent goodness staring at me and Brian and Cam.

For the safety of me and my hips, I enjoyed a few, and then promptly packaged up the rest to accompany Brian to work.

Chocolate chip sprinkled cheesecake bars with an Oreo crust on a white platter.

It’s a good thing I did so.

These Snickers cheesecake bars (with that extra caramel drizzle) are insanely delicious.

We’re talking Oreo crust topped with a creamy cheesecake layer loaded with Snickers bars and then finished off with a healthy drizzle of caramel.

Baked and chilled until super cold?

Oh man, these cheesecake bars are very hard to say no to.

You can certainly leave them plain Jane, like in the picture above. But a little extra caramel artfully drizzled on top (lightly warmed dulce de leche is tasty, too) is really the icing on the cake, so to speak.

Squares of caramel drizzled chocolate chip cheesecake bars with an Oreo crust on a white countertop.

With all the summer BBQ’s and potlucks and hide-in-the-pantry-to-survive-school-being-out moments ahead in the next few months, it’s only smart to be armed with recipes like these caramel Snickers cheesecake bars.

Sanity, friends, sanity.

And since I don’t have many people to share the Snickers cheesecake bar love with around here (until March 2018), I’ll be sure to spread the word next time I make these.

Party in the pantry.

Caramel drizzled cheesecake cookie bars on a white countertop.

One Year Ago: Chili Lime Tacos with Mango Salsa {Grill or InstantPot}
Two Years Ago: Simple and Delicious Sour Cream Muffins
Three Years Ago: Skillet Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli

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Caramel Snickers Cheesecake Bars

4.61 stars (56 ratings)

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 3 cups Oreo cookie crumbs, about 30 Oreos, crushed
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) salted butter, melted

Cheesecake:

  • 3 packages (8-ounces each) (680 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup (106 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (113 g) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 10 ounces (283 g) Snicker bars, chopped (about 18-20 fun-size bars or 5-6 regular size bars)
  • cup (57 g) mini chocolate chips
  • Caramel sauce for drizzling, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup and to lift out the bars). Lightly grease with cooking spray.
  • For the crust, stir together the Oreo cookie crumbs and butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • For the cheesecake layer, in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and combined, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the eggs and mix until just combined; scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Add the sour cream, vanilla extract and pinch of salt. Mix until just combined.
  • With a rubber spatula or large spoon, fold in the chopped Snickers bars.
  • Spread the batter evenly on top of the crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
  • Bake for 30 minutes until the cheesecake is set throughout, adding a few minutes if the center is still soft and jiggly.
  • Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
  • Cut into squares, drizzle with caramel sauce (optional), and serve.

Notes

Peanut Butter Variation: for a fun, delicious peanut butter twist, add 1/2 cup peanut butter to the batter with the sour cream.
Drizzle: lightly warmed dulce de leche makes a great drizzling option. My favorite caramel sauce for drizzling is this homemade sauce (even easier version here) or Trader Joe’s storebought.
Oreo’s: I don’t take the cream out of the Oreos before crushing (I usually use my blender or food processor to do so).
Serving: 1 Bar, Calories: 315kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 247mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g

Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe