Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture is creamy and free of lumps.
Press about two-thirds of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Carefully spread the cheesecake mixture over this cookie layer. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the cheesecake layer, gently pressing down to create a somewhat even top layer. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth—the rustic look adds to the charm!
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the cheesecake layer is set and the cookie dough top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the cheesecake layer to firm up, making slicing easier.
Once chilled, use a sharp knife to cut into bars. Serve as a decadent dessert or a special treat with your afternoon coffee or tea.