If you’re on the hunt for a sweet, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite, this Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine the buttery, chewy goodness of classic chocolate chip cookies but in a convenient, easy-to-slice bar form that’s perfect for sharing or savoring solo. It combines rich brown sugar sweetness, melty semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a tender crumb that’s just begging to be enjoyed fresh from the oven or as an anytime treat. Once you try these bars, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting these chocolate chip cookie bars just right starts with a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Each component plays a vital role, from creating that perfect chewy texture to delivering the rich chocolate bursts you crave.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, melted): Provides a rich, creamy base that keeps the bars soft and moist.
- Brown sugar (1 cup): Adds deep caramel notes and helps create that chewy texture everyone loves.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Balances sweetness and contributes to a slight crispness on the surface.
- Eggs (2): Bind everything together while adding moisture and richness.
- Vanilla extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): Elevates the flavors with a warm, fragrant hint that complements the chocolate perfectly.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/3 cups): The structure of the bars, giving them that tender but sturdy crumb.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Ensures a light rise so the bars aren’t dense or heavy.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and cuts through the sweetness just right.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups): The star ingredient, offering pockets of melty chocolate goodness in every bite.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later. Getting the oven and pan ready ensures your bars bake evenly and come out in perfect squares every time.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating until everything is combined. This step helps create a creamy batter that forms the base for your cookie bars.
Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Carefully add in the flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until you have a uniform dough. Be mindful not to overmix; you want just enough to blend everything without toughening the bars. Finally, fold in those generous chocolate chips so they’re dispersed evenly.
Step 4: Bake Your Bars to Perfection
Spoon the batter into your prepared pan and use a rubber spatula to smooth the top — this helps them bake evenly. Pop your pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn a lovely golden brown and the top looks set but still soft underneath. Don’t rush the bake time, because patience here means perfectly chewy bars.
Step 5: Cool Before Cutting
Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. This resting time lets them firm up just enough to cut clean squares without crumbling apart. Then, slice into generous portions and get ready to indulge!
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
While these bars are delicious all on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can add a festive touch. For an extra decadent experience, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before serving to create a wonderful sweet-salty contrast.
Side Dishes
Pairing these bars with a cold glass of milk is a timeless choice, but don’t overlook the magic of a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Fresh berries also make a delightful, refreshing side that balances out the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these bars in a rustic wooden box or arrange them on a colorful platter for gatherings. For a fancy twist, serve individual bars topped with a warm caramel sauce and chopped nuts. You can even cut them into bite-sized squares and serve them on toothpicks for easy party snacking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay moist and chewy for up to 4 days. Keeping them sealed properly ensures they don’t lose that fresh-baked charm or dry out.
Freezing
Want to enjoy these bars later? Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze amazingly well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop a bar in the microwave for about 15 seconds or reheat in a low oven for a few minutes. This quick step helps soften the chocolate chips and revives the chewy texture, perfect for satisfying a sudden sweet craving.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate in this recipe?
Absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic, you can substitute dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips based on your preference. Mixing different types can add a fun twist to your bars.
Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just make sure it includes xanthan gum or add a pinch separately for better structure. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To create a vegan version, replace butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and choose vegan chocolate chips. The flavor will remain rich and satisfying!
How thick will the bars be in a 9×13 pan?
These bars typically come out about an inch thick, offering a perfect balance between a chewy cookie texture and a bar sturdiness that holds its shape well when cut.
Why do the edges get browned faster than the center?
The edges tend to brown first because they are directly exposed to the heat of the pan and oven walls. This results in a slightly crispier texture on the outside, while the center stays soft and chewy.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is a comforting, delicious treat that fits perfectly into any occasion, whether it’s a casual snack or a centerpiece dessert. Easy to make, endlessly customizable, and absolutely irresistible, these bars will quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire. Give them a try—you’ll love sharing these sweet moments with friends and family!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine the classic flavors of traditional cookies into an easy-to-make, shareable bar form. Perfectly sweet and chewy with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips, they are ideal for dessert, snacks, or parties.
Ingredients
Cookie Bar Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined. Beat in the eggs followed by the vanilla extract ensuring a smooth mixture.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently just until all ingredients are blended together without overmixing.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter evenly for consistent chocolate in every bite.
- Transfer and Bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing into 15 squares to serve.
Notes
- For softer bars, slightly underbake by 2-3 minutes.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate as preferred.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a festive twist, add chopped nuts or swirl in peanut butter before baking.
