Messing with Perfection

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)
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If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

Being so wholly resistant to change, it would seem completely the antithesis of my typical modus operandi to keep on tinkering and messing with a recipe so beloved as the chocolate chip cookie, and yet, I can’t keep my paws off of it.

Though friends and family would have me on criminal charges if I ever presented them with something other than my Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies, I still feel as though there’s so much more that this humble morsel can offer. But what on earth could be done to improve upon alleged perfection?

Well, how about adding another “perfect” dessert into the mix?

Like a cookie monster’s dream come true, the base of this cheesecake is not the same old graham cracker mush, but straight chocolate chip cookie dough, baked to crisp perfection on the bottom, yet still soft and chewy throughout. If there was ever a way to make something as untouchable as the classic CCC’s even better, I believe it would have to be this.

Yield: Makes 12 to 16 Servings

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

Like a cookie monster’s dream come true, the base of this cheesecake is not the same old graham cracker mush, but straight chocolate chip cookie dough, baked to crisp perfection on the bottom, yet still soft and chewy throughout.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Additional Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

Cookie Dough Crust and Topping:

  • 1/4 Cup Vegan Butter
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
  • 1 1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 4 - 6 Tablespoons Plain Non-Dairy Milk
  • 1/3 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips, or Finely Chopped Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Cheesecake Filling:

  • 1 (12-Ounce) Package Extra-Firm Silken Tofu
  • 2 (8-Ounce) Packages Vegan Cream Cheese
  • 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/8 Teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease and flour a 9-inch round springform pan.
  2. In your stand mixer, beat the vegan butter briefly to soften before adding in both sugars. Cream together thoroughly, until smooth, and then add in the flour, baking powder, and salt all at once. Mix on low speed to begin incorporating the dry goods, add in the vanilla, and slowly drizzle in the milk, one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough comes together. Continue mixing until homogeneous, if necessary, and finally work in the chocolate chips, beating just until the pieces are evenly distributed throughout. Measure out 1/2 cup of the dough and set this aside for the topping.
  3. Press the remainder of the dough into the bottom of your prepared springform pan, smoothing it out into an even layer, and bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown all over, and set aside to cool. Lower the oven to 325 degrees.
  4. Moving on to the filling, drain the tofu of any excess water and blend it in your food processor or blender until completely smooth. Add in the cream cheese and blend once more. Scrape down the sides and blend again, ensuring that no lumps remain. Incorporate the sugar, vanilla, and salt. Scrape down the sides once more, checking for any pockets of unincorporated ingredients. Blend thoroughly to create a homogeneous mixture, and pour it on top of your cookie crust. Tap the whole pan on the counter lightly, to even it out and eliminate any air bubbles. Smooth the top with your spatula.
  5. Take out your reserved cookie dough, and roll it into small, marble-sized balls. Drop the dough balls randomly around the edges of the cheesecake before transferring it to the oven. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, until the sides begin to pull away from the pan and the center still appears to be rather wobbly when tapped. Be careful not to over-bake, as it will become firmer as it cools.
  6. Let the cheesecake cool completely before moving it into the refrigerator, where I suggest you let it chill for at least 12 to 24 hours before serving. This will allow the flavors to fully develop and intensify. If you can’t wait, give it a minimum of 3 hours to reach the proper temperature.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 2g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Cakes & Cupcakes

 

57 thoughts on “Messing with Perfection”

  2. It’s a good thing no one was looking in my direction when I beheld the picture of this divine cake, because Hannah, my goodness, my mouth went agape. I implore you: keep breaking what ain’t broke, because you just keep making greater things out of greatness. Thank you for sharing this!

  5. Oh my…Hannah, you have outdone yourself! Chocolate chip cookie dough is my nemesis/true love/guilty pleasure. I bet it’s fantastic in cheesecake form!

  13. Well I didn’t think chocolate chip cookies could get better and I certainly didn’t think cheesecake could get better…but you’ve done it. You’ve seriously done it.

    I saw your cookbook in a bookstore in SF yesterday and I squealed! Loudly! I would have bought it…except I already have a copy at home. :P

    1. That’s so exciting! I haven’t yet spotted a copy out “in the wild” yet myself, so I’m relieved to know that they are actually out there. And I’m happier still to know that you have a copy already! :) If you ever had a moment to give a brief review, publicly or privately, I’d love to hear what you think.

  16. I MUST make this!!! However, I know that I won’t be able to stop myself from eating the entire thing (which is definitely dangerous)

  21. This looks great, but is there really only 1 tablespoon margarine in the cookie dough? That seems like it wouldn’t be enough liquids…

  22. That looks just awesome! I don’t make cheesecakes very often, but had been thinking of making one again this weekend. Well, now I know what version to go with. Yummm!

  23. Genius! I wish the Cheesecake Factory would hire YOU :P then I might actually eat there!
    This reminds me a bit of the Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake I made for a friend’s b-day a couple years ago…cinnamon roll dough “crust,” cinnamon swirl AND dollops of cinn roll dough in the cheesecake, AND a cinn-roll-like glaze on top. :)

  29. Wow, since I started vegan baking I’ve been wondering how to do “cheese”-cakes. My cheesecake recipes were the ones that people would always request. I was afraid of trying to replicate it in a vegan manner, but this post just gave me the courage I need. :-D Thanks for the recipe and encouragement. Glad to have found your blog. :-)

  31. This excites me! I love cheese cake and I’m so happy u made a vegan version. I’m really curious about the taste :)

    PS : Please help me choose from the cooking books listed on The Veggie Eco-Life!

  32. Oh, these recipes torture me! We can only get the partially hydrogenated tofutti here in Australia, which I can’t bring myself to buy, and we have no soy creamer. Dreams, dreams…

  39. I came across this recipe yesterday and have this chilling in the fridge right now. I can’t wait to taste it! Thank you so much.

  46. It really looks amazing! I’m dying to try it but, do you think it will come out ok if I omitt the soy creamer? I can´t find it. Or, is there any substitution?

  50. Oh Hannah yummmmm!! Thanks for sharing this. :) I will never get tired of seeing variations on chocolate chip cookies.

  51. Wow that looks amazing! Do you have a recommendation for substituting the all purpose flour for someone who is gluten free? Would brown rice flour or buckwheat flour work? Thanks so much!

    1. I think your best bet would be a gluten-free all purpose flour blend, if you can hunt one down. I often use one made by Bob’s Red Mill, substituting 1:1, with great results. The key is finding a blend that includes xanthan gum so that the dough holds together, rather than crumbles, once baked. Worst comes to worst, I would try using white rice flour plus 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum. Let me know how it goes, and Happy Baking!

      1. Hannah, thanks so much for the quick response, I am so excited to try YAY! Heading to amazon now to buy your cookbook!

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