Cinnamon Chip Cream Cheese Bars

I think it takes longer to say the name of this delectable treat than it does to actually make it. This was one of my favorite desserts as a child, and still is. I used to make them with my step-dad and it didn't take long for my family to devour them. =)

The cinnamon chips in these bars are sooooo yummy; however they can be difficult to find. You can find these gems online at King Arthur Flour and Prepared Pantry. If you can't find them in a regular grocery store, try a specialty food store, or one of these sites. These bars are also great with chocolate chips, or Hershey's premier white chips.

Ingredients:
   Cinnamon Chip Cookie Dough (You could use any chocolate chip cookie dough recipe you like, and replace the chocolate chips with cinnamon chips. This is just the one I like to use.)
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, room temperature (NOT melted)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 bag cinnamon chips

Directions:
  Cinnamon Chip Cookie Dough
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar.
3. Add vanilla and eggs
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking soda
5. While stirring/mixing sugar mixture, slowly add flour mixture until completely incorporated
6. Add cinnamon chips and stir well

Ingredients:
   Cream Cheese Filling
1 block cream cheese, softened (not light or imitation, the REAL thing)
1 egg
2/3 cup sugar

Directions:
  Cream Cheese Filling
1. Mix cream cheese, egg, and sugar until smooth

Now, to put it all together...

1. Press half of the cookie dough into a 9x9 pan.
2. Spread cream cheese filling over the dough.
3. Crumble remaining cookie dough over the top of the cream cheese filling. This gives it a pretty, marbled look.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean, and enjoy!