If you’re craving the classic comfort of chocolate chip cookies but want something even easier and more crowd-friendly, these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are about to become your new obsession. Imagine a golden, buttery bar packed with gooey pools of chocolate and that rich, chewy texture we all dream about—plus they whip up in no time and cut easily into perfect squares for sharing (or not). Whether you need a nostalgic bake for a party or you’re just looking for a low-fuss weeknight dessert, this easy treat brings homey bakery vibes straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars is that every ingredient serves a delicious purpose—each one helps create that signature soft-and-chewy bite with plenty of chocolatey goodness. Gather these simple pantry staples, and you’re just minutes from sweet satisfaction:
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, melted): Melting the butter gives the bars richness, edge-to-edge chew, and a shiny top.
- Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Brings deep, caramel-like flavor and helps the bars stay soft.
- Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Gives the perfect balance of sweetness and helps create a lightly crisp top.
- Large Eggs (2): Bind everything together for a cohesive, tender texture.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tablespoon): Elevates flavor, delivering a bakery-style aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour (2½ cups): Provides the sturdy base and gives structure to each bar.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Ensures just the right lift for a thick yet soft crumb.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Highlights sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s flavor.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (2 cups): The star ingredient—expect chocolate in every gooey bite!
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven & Prep the Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get your 9×13-inch baking pan ready by either greasing it generously or lining it with parchment paper—this step ensures easy cleanup and, more importantly, perfectly neat bars that lift right out of the pan.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and pour in your melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk these together until you have a smooth, glossy mixture—it should look like butterscotch. Next, add the eggs and your tablespoon of vanilla extract, mixing until the batter becomes creamy and everything’s incorporated.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle in the flour, baking soda, and salt right over your wet ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until a thick, soft dough forms. You want barely any dry streaks—overmixing can lead to tough bars, so easy does it!
Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
This is where the magic happens. Add those two generous cups of chocolate chips and fold them in so every bite of your Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars bursts with chocolate. Don’t be afraid to sneak a taste—it’s irresistible dough!
Step 5: Spread and Bake
Scoop the thick dough into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly to all the corners. Press down lightly to smooth the top. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges look set and golden, but the center still looks just a bit underdone. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs—this ensures maximum chewiness.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Patience pays off! Let the pan cool completely before lifting the bars out using the parchment paper. Once cooled, slice into 24 squares or any size you like. Now, dig in and revel in that bakery-style bliss.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Garnishes
Add a flourish by sprinkling the cooled bars with flaky sea salt or a dusting of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle melted chocolate over the top or serve each square with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a party-worthy platter.
Side Dishes
These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars pair beautifully with tall glasses of cold milk, creamy vanilla ice cream, or even a warm cappuccino. For a dessert board, tuck in fresh berries or sliced bananas alongside the bars—they balance the rich sweetness wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bars into mini squares for petit fours at brunch, or slice them large and stack them for bake-sale wow factor. Wrap individual bars in parchment and twine for easy lunchbox treats, or serve warm with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel for sundae-style decadence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They’ll stay chewy and delicious—if they last that long. If your kitchen is especially warm, stash them in the fridge to retain freshness.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze individual bars on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to three months—just thaw at room temp for a quick, homemade treat anytime you need a chocolate fix.
Reheating
If you like your Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars warm and melty, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. They’ll taste almost oven-fresh, and the chocolate chips go gloriously gooey all over again.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Absolutely! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to keep flavors balanced. Salted butter adds a little extra savoriness that some cookie lovers adore.
Can I swap in different types of chips or add nuts?
Yes! White chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips are fantastic. Chopped pecans or walnuts add a pleasant crunch—just make sure to keep the total mix-ins around 2 cups so the batter holds together.
What’s the secret to getting really chewy bars?
For ultra-chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, slightly underbake them and let them finish setting as they cool in the pan. Melting the butter also helps create that signature chewy bite!
Can this recipe be halved?
It sure can! Halve all the ingredients and bake in an 8×8-inch pan for about 22 to 25 minutes. You’ll get a smaller batch, but every square is just as delicious.
Do I have to use parchment paper?
Parchment paper isn’t strictly required, but it does make it much easier to lift the bars out and slice them cleanly. If you skip it, be sure to grease your pan really well.
Final Thoughts
If you love easy, nostalgic desserts, you owe it to yourself to try these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. They’re the ultimate fuss-free way to satisfy your cookie craving, delight your friends, and enjoy homemade happiness with every bar. Bake a batch—you just might find your new favorite treat!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on traditional cookies, offering the perfect blend of chewy and crispy textures with gooey chocolate in every bite. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these bars are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until a thick dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For softer bars, slightly underbake and allow to cool in the pan.
- Swap in white chocolate or peanut butter chips for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
