Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with baking spray.

In a food processor, combine the vanilla wafer cookies and light brown sugar and process until well crumbled and combined.

Pour in the melted butter and pulse to combine. The mixture should resemble wet sand, crumbly but able to pack.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press firmly into an even layer on the bottom of the pan.

Bake for 8-12 minutes or until golden and dry to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream together the cream cheese and white sugar until light and fluffy.

Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract just until combined.

On low speed, mix in the eggs, one at a time, just until incorporated. Use a spatula or spoon to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and mix everything until evenly distributed.

Pour the cheesecake filling into the prepared crust and tap several times on the counter to pop any air bubbles.

Bake for 40-42 minutes or until the cheesecake is set on the sides and just wobbly in the middle. You can use a digital thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature has reached 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If the cheesecake begins to crack on the edges, it is finished and should be removed from the oven.

Allow the cheesecake bars to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour, and then wrap well with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator for 5-6 hours or overnight.

To make the ganache, place the chocolate chips in a medium sized, heat safe bowl.

Heat the heavy cream over low on the stove or in 30 second increments in the microwave until hot and steaming but do not boil.

Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and ensure that they are completely covered.

Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes and then whisk together until thick, shiny and creamy.

Pour the ganache over the cheesecake bars and spread into an even layer.

Place back in the refrigerator for 8-12 minutes, just until set and then remove and slice into squares before serving.