Name: Caramel Cheesecake Bites
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 5 hours (includes chilling)
Yield: Makes 32 bars
Ingredients: Buttery Sugar Cookie dough recipe; 20 ounces jarred or canned dulce de leche at room temperature (see Cooks' Notes); 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened; 2/3 cup sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; A 13- by 9-inch baking pan; small offset metal spatula (optional but so helpful); disposable pastry bag (optional)

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Caramel Cheesecake BitesChris Gentile

If you choose to bake only one cookie from this collection, make it these bites. The crisp cookie base provides the perfect contrasting setup to the luscious caramel-flavored dulce de leche—caramelized milk—hidden under the creamiest cheesecake layer. The final snazzy drizzle of dulce de leche is not essential, we know, but it makes the bites downright irresistible.

Cooks' Notes:

•Dulce de leche is available in varying-size jars and cans at many supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and Latino shops. Leftovers are delicious in coffee, drizzled over ice cream, or just eaten by the spoonful.
•Cheesecake bites—without the final dulce de leche drizzle—keep chilled in an airtight container in single layers, separated by wax paper 5 days. Drizzle with the optional dulce de leche garnish just before serving.

Recipe notes

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