Name: Toll House Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about a batch of Toll House Cookie Bars, with their golden, chewy edges and gooey chocolate pockets nestled in every bite. This classic treat transforms the iconic Toll House chocolate chip cookie into crowd-pleasing bars—perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging with your loved ones. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or kitchen newbie, this recipe brings home-style comfort and timeless flavor right to your table.

Toll House Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about these Toll House Cookie Bars is how every ingredient pulls its weight, making each bite utterly unforgettable. They’re pantry staples, but each one has a role in building depth, texture, and the melt-in-your-mouth magic we all crave.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the bars, ensuring just the right balance between chewy and tender.
Baking soda: Helps the bars rise and gives that signature cookie-esque crumb.
Salt: Boosts all the sweet flavors and makes the chocolate shine.
Unsalted butter, softened: Brings rich, creamy flavor and keeps the bars moist and decadent.
Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness with a slight crunch to the exterior.
Packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a caramelly depth that makes these bars truly special.
Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and roundness into the cookie dough.
Large eggs: Binds everything together and contributes rich texture.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The star add-in, creating those dreamy molten chocolate pockets throughout.
Chopped walnuts (optional): For a satisfying crunch and classic nutty flavor, though you can adapt or omit as you wish.

How to Make Toll House Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take a moment to grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or, for easy removal and clean-up, line it with parchment paper. This little bit of prep ensures your Toll House Cookie Bars release easily and bake evenly.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Make sure everything is well blended—this evenly distributes the leavening and salt, setting you up for perfectly risen bars each time.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and light. This step gives the bars their tender bite and ensures a lovely golden color.

Step 4: Add the Eggs

One at a time, beat in the eggs, making sure to mix well after each addition. The eggs not only bind the dough together but also add richness and help give the bars their chewy texture.

Step 5: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Gradually beat the flour mixture into your wet ingredients, just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix; stopping once no flour streaks remain gives you that soft, perfect crumb in your Toll House Cookie Bars.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Nuts

Stir in those glorious semi-sweet chocolate chips and, if you’re a fan, the chopped walnuts. You can get creative here—swap in pecans, go extra on the chocolate, or leave out the nuts entirely if you prefer.

Step 7: Spread and Bake

Evenly spread the luscious dough into your prepared pan. Pop it into the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for a golden top and a toothpick that comes out with moist crumbs for gooier bars. For more set bars, aim for a clean toothpick.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan—this helps them set up so they slice cleanly without crumbling. Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut them into perfect, shareable squares.

How to Serve Toll House Cookie Bars

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a sprinkling of flaky sea salt can elevate these Toll House Cookie Bars from classic to extra-special—each adds its own little flourish of flavor or flair.

Side Dishes

Serve your bars with a tall glass of cold milk (classic!), a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert, or even alongside coffee or hot chocolate for an afternoon pick-me-up. They fit beautifully with any sweet pairing.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the bars cut into hearts or stars for special occasions, wrapping them individually for lunchbox treats, or stacking them in a rustic cake stand for an inviting party centerpiece. These bars are as versatile as they are irresistible!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Toll House Cookie Bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you tuck a slice of bread in the container, it’ll help keep them extra soft!

Freezing

These bars are freezer-friendly! Once cooled and cut, layer the bars between sheets of parchment in a container or freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months—simply thaw at room temperature when you need a sweet fix.

Reheating

If you love warm, gooey chocolate, pop a bar into the microwave for 10–15 seconds before eating. This little trick revives that just-baked magic, especially if you’re pulling them from the fridge or freezer.

FAQs

Can I make Toll House Cookie Bars without nuts?

Absolutely! The walnuts are completely optional, and you can leave them out without any changes to the recipe. The bars will still turn out rich, chewy, and packed with chocolate goodness.

Do I have to use semi-sweet chocolate chips?

No, feel free to experiment with milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips. You can even toss in butterscotch or peanut butter chips for a fun twist. Semi-sweet just happens to be the classic choice for Toll House Cookie Bars.

What’s the secret to gooey cookie bars?

For an ultra-gooey center, bake the bars closer to 25 minutes and check with a toothpick for moist crumbs rather than a clean pull. Don’t overbake—they’ll continue to set as they cool!

Can I halve the recipe?

Yes! Just halve all the ingredients and use an 8×8-inch square pan. The bars will be slightly thicker and may need a minute or two of extra baking time, so keep an eye on them.

How can I make Toll House Cookie Bars gluten free?

You can swap in a high-quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The results are delicious, though the texture may be a touch more delicate.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried homemade Toll House Cookie Bars, you’re in for the kind of treat that leaves a lasting impression: classic, chocolatey, and so easy to share. Gather your ingredients, round up your favorite people, and bake a little happiness into your day!

Toll House Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these scrumptious Toll House Cookie Bars, a delightful twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie. With a gooey center and crunchy edges, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Mix-Ins:

2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.
Add Eggs and Flour Mixture: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in the flour mixture until just combined.
Stir in Mix-Ins: Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if using.
Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
Cool and Serve: Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.