If you’ve ever craved the perfect balance between a soft cookie and a chewy bar, this Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe hits every sweet spot you desire. Imagine that classic chocolate chip cookie flavor and texture, but baked in a pan just for easy slicing and sharing with friends and family. These bars are incredibly satisfying, bursting with rich chocolate chunks and a buttery, tender crumb that’s downright irresistible. Whether for a casual snack, a party treat, or a sweet ending to your day, this recipe delivers consistent results that feel like a warm hug in dessert form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is both straightforward and essential. Each ingredient plays a special role: from adding moisture and lightness to bringing out that rich, indulgent flavor we all love.
- All-purpose flour: Creates the perfect structure and tender crumb for the bars.
- Baking soda: Helps the bars rise and keeps them soft yet slightly chewy.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness with a smooth texture and golden color.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to a slight crispiness on the edges.
- Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add a tender chew.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and depth to brighten the chocolate and cookie flavors.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: The star ingredient that creates pockets of melty chocolate bliss.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preparing your pan carefully is key here—grease it well or line it with parchment paper to make sure your bars slide out smoothly. A 9-by-13-inch pan is just right for getting that perfect thickness in each bar.
Step 2: Mix Up the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl to whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This little trio is your dry foundation, helping create the perfect texture and ensuring even flavor throughout your bars.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars. This step is where the magic starts—you want a light, fluffy mixture that will ultimately create a tender and slightly cakey texture when baked. Aim for about 2 to 3 minutes of mixing.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract
Next, incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating each in fully before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract. These ingredients add moisture, richness, and a burst of flavor that makes the bars truly irresistible.
Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the wet butter and sugar mix, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix; a gentle fold will keep your bars tender rather than tough.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
The best part—fold in the 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. This ensures every bite delivers a melty chocolate surprise.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden and Perfect
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Pop it in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. That’s the sweet spot for these bars.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Allow your cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice into squares and get ready for a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top after baking to elevate the flavors and add an elegant twist. For an extra special touch, drizzle warm caramel or melted chocolate over each bar just before serving for that wow factor.
Side Dishes
These bars hold their own but also pair wonderfully with simple sides like a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of freshly brewed coffee or milk. The contrast between warm, chewy bars and creamy ice cream creates an unforgettable flavor duo.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut these bars into bite-sized squares for parties or pack a surprise treat in lunchboxes by wrapping each square in parchment paper. You can layer them with sliced strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream for an elegant dessert plate that impresses guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and flavorful for up to 4 days, perfect if you want a quick snack without any fuss.
Freezing
If you want to save some bars for later, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They keep beautifully frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator for a ready-to-eat treat.
Reheating
To bring your bars back to that freshly baked warmth, microwave them for about 15-20 seconds or warm them briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. The chocolate chips will soften deliciously, and you’ll feel like you just made them.
FAQs
Can I substitute the butter with margarine or oil?
While margarine or oil can be used in a pinch, butter really provides the best flavor and texture for this recipe. Butter’s richness and moisture help create that classic cookie bar chew, so if possible, stick with unsalted butter.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Whether you prefer dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips, feel free to swap them in. Each will bring a unique twist, but semisweet is great for balancing sweetness with that intense cocoa taste.
Why do my cookie bars sometimes turn out dry?
Dry bars might be a result of overbaking or too much flour. Make sure to measure your flour properly by spooning it into the cup and leveling off, rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. Also, watch baking time closely so bars don’t get overcooked.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Yes, adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or even shredded coconut can add a delightful crunch and extra flavor. Just toss about 1 cup of your preferred add-in with the chocolate chips during the folding step.
How thick will the cookie bars be in the 9×13 pan?
The dough spreads to create bars roughly one inch thick, which results in a perfect chewy texture that’s easy to slice and hold. If you want thicker bars, try using a smaller pan but adjust baking time accordingly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about making this Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe that keeps me coming back to it time and again. Delicious, simple, and satisfying, it’s the perfect sweet treat for any occasion. I guarantee once you try these bars, they’ll quickly become your new go-to dessert that everyone asks for again and again. So preheat that oven and get ready to enjoy your own corner of cookie bar heaven!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious homemade cookie bars featuring a classic blend of butter, sugars, and semisweet chocolate chips baked to golden perfection in a convenient 9×13-inch pan. Perfectly soft and chewy, these bars are easy to make and ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step aerates the dough for tender bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully combine. Then, stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and maintaining a tender texture.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the cookie dough to ensure every bar has delicious chocolate in every bite.
- Bake: Spread the prepared dough evenly into the greased or lined baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, cut into squares and serve for a delightful homemade treat.
Notes
- For softer bars, avoid overbaking and remove from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- You can substitute semisweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips based on your preference.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the best creamy texture when creaming with sugars.
- Storage: Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
