I start by creaming the butter with both sugars until fluffy. Then I mix in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Finally, I fold in the flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips to form a thick dough, then press it into a greased springform pan.
The cookie crust bakes at 350°F (175°C) for about 16 minutes. I let it cool completely before adding the cheesecake layer so it stays firm and doesn’t crumble.
While the crust cools, I beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Then I fold in melted chocolate and whipped cream for a light, creamy texture. Optional chopped mini cookies go in last for a fun, chunky bite.
I gently spread the cheesecake mixture over the cooled cookie crust. I like to smooth the top with a spatula for a clean finish. If desired, I press mini chocolate chip cookies around the edge for decoration.
The cheesecake needs to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the filling to firm up perfectly. I garnish with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and cookie crumbs just before serving.