Recipe(tried): Blackberry Cheesecake Bars - I have a solution: Cookie Dough Delights

I thought I'd post a note to Bridge's request because I have a cookbook that will solve her problem (I read her post when she first posted but had not used this cookbook yet so I waited until I had). Anyway, a solution for Bridget's problem and also a great way for quick and easy variation is with a book my sister-in-law gave me called Cookie Dough Delights. It is a really neat cookbook. I am still pretty new to baking so it is very nice for newbies like me. It is a lot like the Cake Mix Doctor books which I also have.

You make all of the recipes by doctoring packages (the 18-ounce refrigerated kind) of sugar or chocolate chip cookie dough. But Bridget should know that I tried it with a tib of the cookie dough (my mother had a tub of it from a fundraiser she hadn't used--it worked great with these recipes, too).

I really love this book. It is really building my confidence as a baker because I have made 8 things and they have all come out perfectly (I actually learned a lot by reading the introduction section about baking cookies--e.g., buying an oven thermometer, why different cookie sheets make the cookies come out differently). I also like that the lists of ingredients for the recipes is short or is with things I already have. I also have two little kids so this is good for Moms who are busy like me.

The book has cookie recipes, bar cookies and other desserts. I have tried cookies (including baklava thumbprints, ginger-lime biscotti and blackberry cheesecake bars) so far as well as the red white and blue berry tart (for the 4th of July) and the lemon poppyseed tart with fresh berries. Very pretty and simple. There are also some neat ideas for kids so I think this will be a nice gift to give to moms who want fun ideas with their kids. I made the cookie pops with my 5 year old and her friends (we made cookie "bouquets" with them). It was so easy to make the cookie pops that we had lots of time to have fun decorating them, I've already used this more in a short time than several of my other tried and true cookbooks. I would categorize it as a fun option.

Here's one of my favorite recipes from the book. It was also reprinted in my paper so I think it's ok to print it here:

Blackberry Cheesecake Bars

1 (18-ounce) roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough, well chilled
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup blackberry or other fruit preserves, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with foil.

Cut cookie dough into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices in bottom of prepared pan. With floured fingers, press dough evenly to form crust.

Bake 10-13 minutes or until dough is golden brown (dough will appear slightly puffed). Remove from oven.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat cream cheese and sugar with electric beaters set on high until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until just combined.

Evenly spread cream cheese mixture over hot cookie base; dollop with teaspoons of blackberry jam. Swirl cream cheese filling and jam slightly with tip of knife.

Bake in middle of oven until slightly puffed, about 22-25 minutes. Cool completely in pan and cut into bars; chill. Makes 24 big or 36 small bars.