Super Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookie Bars with Cheesecake Filling

Instructions

For the molasses ginger cookie bar:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg, water or orange juice, and molasses. Fold in dry ingredients until just incorporated, then fold in white chocolate chips as well. Scoop half of the batter evenly into prepared pan, spread cheesecake filling (recipe below) on top, then crumble remaining cookie dough on top.

For the cheesecake filling:

1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add yogurt or sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat together until smooth.

For the topping:

1. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly on top of prepared cookie-cheesecake batter.

To bake:

1. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting and serving.