Name: Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

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If you’re looking for a dessert that brings together the classic flavors and nostalgia of homemade cookies with the unbeatable simplicity of a one-pan treat, Cookie Bars are here to steal your heart (and sweet tooth)! These chewy, golden bars are brimming with melty chocolate chips and layered with just the right amount of buttery richness. Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or whenever you crave a grab-and-go sweet, Cookie Bars are just as beloved by kids as they are by adults, making them a go-to recipe for all the joyful, cookie-loving moments in life.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Cookie Bars lies in how a handful of pantry staples combine so effortlessly to deliver maximum flavor and irresistible texture. Each ingredient below is essential—working together to create those iconic chewy centers, crispy edges, and pockets of chocolate you’ll love in every bite.

All-purpose flour: This creates structure, giving the bars their classic cookie-like texture while keeping them soft and chewy.
Baking soda: Just the right amount of lift for thick, gooey bars without making them too cakey.
Salt: A pinch balances out the sweetness and deepens the flavors of the chocolate and brown sugar.
Unsalted butter (melted): The key to a rich, tender crumb and that melt-in-your-mouth bite—plus, melting means you don’t need a mixer!
Light brown sugar (packed): This brings chewiness and a subtle caramel note that makes the bars extra decadent.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps with browning.
Large eggs: Eggs bind everything together while adding richness and helping the bars rise.
Vanilla extract: A couple teaspoons add warmth and depth, enhancing every bite.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The chocolatey pockets you dream about! Feel free to mix in chopped nuts or swap in other chips if you’re feeling adventurous.

How to Make Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or lay in a piece of parchment paper for easy lifting later. This simple step ensures your Cookie Bars pop right out, ready for slicing and sharing.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures everything’s distributed evenly, helping your Cookie Bars bake up perfectly soft with each bite.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and combine the melted butter with the brown and granulated sugars. Stir until the mixture looks creamy and smooth—it’s what gives your bars that gorgeous caramel undertone. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing just until blended.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gently pour the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Stir by hand and stop as soon as you see the last streaks of flour disappear. Overmixing can make Cookie Bars tough, so be gentle!

Step 5: Add the Chocolate Chips

Fold in those glorious semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re spread throughout the dough. If using any add-ins like chopped nuts or white chocolate chips, now’s the time to toss them in for an extra flavor punch.

Step 6: Spread and Bake

Spoon the dough into your prepared pan, pressing it evenly all the way to the corners. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs—this means luscious, chewy Cookie Bars are on their way!

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan for the perfect texture. Once cool, lift them out (if using parchment), then slice into neat squares or rectangles. You’ll have 24 ready-to-devour Cookie Bars—the most challenging part is waiting for them to cool!

How to Serve Cookie Bars

Garnishes

The fun truly begins once your Cookie Bars are cool—dress them up with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an irresistible sweet-salty bite, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate on top. For a festive touch, try a handful of colorful sprinkles or extra chocolate chips pressed gently into the warm bars.

Side Dishes

Serve your Cookie Bars with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, or alongside fresh berries for a simple yet satisfying dessert plate. Their classic flavor pairs beautifully with just about any sweet sipper or fruit.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut Cookie Bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters, stack them up into a tower with parchment layers for a bake sale, or wrap individual bars in wax paper for a sweet lunchbox surprise. For a party, serve on a platter with different dipping sauces—caramel, chocolate, or even peanut butter—for an interactive treat everyone will enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Cookie Bars soft and fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to five days—if they last that long! To keep them extra chewy, you can place a slice of bread in the container, which helps maintain moisture.

Freezing

If you want to stock up for future cravings, Cookie Bars freeze wonderfully. Arrange completely cooled bars in a single layer (with parchment between layers) in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to three months—just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for a treat.

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, pop a cooled Cookie Bar in the microwave for 8–10 seconds. You’ll revive the gooey chocolate and get that irresistible “just baked” experience, especially when paired with a scoop of ice cream!

FAQs

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to my Cookie Bars?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even white chocolate and peanut butter chips are fantastic additions; just fold them in alongside the chocolate chips for a personalized twist.

How do I prevent Cookie Bars from overbaking?

Watch the edges for a golden color, and test the center with a toothpick. Remove them from the oven when only a few moist crumbs come away—it’s the secret to staying chewy and soft.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to balance out the extra saltiness from your butter.

Do Cookie Bars have to cool completely before slicing?

While it’s tempting to dig in right away, letting them cool ensures easy slicing and helps bars maintain their shape. Warm bars tend to crumble, so patience is key for that perfect, tidy square.

Can I halve the recipe for a smaller batch?

Definitely! Just bake in an 8×8-inch pan and check for doneness a little earlier, around 18–20 minutes. You’ll still get all that crave-worthy Cookie Bar goodness, just in a smaller batch.

Final Thoughts

These Cookie Bars are everything you want in a bake-it-and-share-it treat: gooey, chocolaty, and impossibly simple to make. Whether you enjoy them while they’re still a little warm or days later, each bite is a reminder that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most memorable. Grab your mixing bowl and give them a try—your friends and family will thank you!

Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These cookie bars are a delicious treat that combines the classic flavors of chocolate chip cookies in an easy-to-make bar form. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Additional:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
Combine Ingredients: Gradually stir in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Bake: Spread the dough in the pan and bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Cool completely before cutting into bars.