Soft, chewy, and delightfully rich, these Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a dream come true for cookie lovers. The golden-brown exterior gives way to a gooey, chocolate-packed center that melts in your mouth with every bite. Whether enjoyed warm with a glass of milk or as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, these bars offer the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike, as it comes together quickly with pantry staples. The bars slice beautifully and are ideal for potlucks, lunchbox treats, or cozy nights at home. Customize them with nuts, white chocolate chips, or even caramel bits for a fun twist. Whatever your craving, these cookie bars are guaranteed to satisfy!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 cup brown sugar, packed
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
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Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix until fully combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chips.
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Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
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Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 24 bars
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: A Classic Treat Reimagined
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a timeless, crowd-pleasing dessert that combines the nostalgia of classic chocolate chip cookies with the convenience and ease of a bar cookie. These bars offer the perfect texture, crispy on the edges, soft and gooey in the center, and packed with rich, melty chocolate chips in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a casual family get-together, a potluck, or just a sweet indulgence for yourself, these cookie bars will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Cookie Bars
One of the main reasons these cookie bars are so beloved is because they deliver everything you love about a chocolate chip cookie but with half the effort. There’s no need to chill the dough, roll individual cookies, or bake multiple batches. Simply mix, spread, bake, and slice, easy as can be!
The melted butter in this recipe gives the bars a tender, chewy crumb, while brown sugar contributes to a rich, caramelized flavor that complements the chocolate chips perfectly. The generous amount of semi-sweet chocolate chips ensures that every bite is filled with velvety chocolate goodness, making these bars utterly irresistible.
Beyond their wonderful flavor and texture, these bars are incredibly adaptable. You can stir in your favorite mix-ins like chopped walnuts, pecans, shredded coconut, or even chunks of your favorite candy bars. Want to make them gluten-free? Just swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The possibilities are endless, which is another reason why these cookie bars are such a treasured recipe in so many households.
The Importance of High-Quality Ingredients
When making a simple, classic dessert like Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, ingredient quality makes a noticeable difference. Using real, unsalted butter instead of margarine ensures the richest flavor and best texture. Opting for high-quality chocolate chips, whether semi-sweet, dark, or milk, elevates the final product from good to truly exceptional.
Brown sugar is another crucial ingredient in this recipe. Its molasses content adds depth and chewiness that you can’t get from granulated sugar alone. If you have the choice, using dark brown sugar will make the bars even richer and more flavorful.
Fresh, high-quality eggs also contribute to the soft texture, while pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile. Lastly, don’t underestimate the impact of a pinch of salt, it balances the sweetness and brings out the richness of the chocolate.
Baking Tips for the Perfect Cookie Bars
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Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mix until just combined. Overmixing will result in tough, dense bars.
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Check for Doneness: These bars are best when they’re slightly underbaked in the center. This ensures they remain chewy and soft as they cool. The edges should be golden brown, and the center should look set but not dry.
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Cool Completely: While it’s tempting to cut into this right out of the oven, letting them cool completely makes slicing much easier and cleaner.
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Customize to Your Taste: The base recipe is wonderfully flexible. Try adding a handful of chopped nuts for crunch, sprinkling sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-and-salty twist, or swirling in caramel or peanut butter for extra indulgence.
Serving Suggestions
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are delightful on their own, but you can dress them up for special occasions. Serve warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge or caramel sauce for an incredible dessert. They also make excellent gifts, wrap individual bars in parchment paper and tie them with ribbon for a homemade treat that’s sure to please.
For a holiday version, add festive colored candies or seasonal spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough. You could even sandwich ice cream between two cookie bars for an unforgettable ice cream sandwich treat.
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
These bars keep beautifully for several days, making them perfect for make-ahead treats. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for that fresh-baked taste.
You can also prepare the dough ahead of time, spread it into the pan, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. Bake as directed when ready, this can help the flavors meld and deepen.
Nutritional Information
While these bars are undeniably indulgent, they can be part of a balanced approach to sweets. Each bar offers around 320 kcal, making it a satisfying and filling dessert. You can reduce the sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet bar or add whole wheat flour for a fiber boost without significantly changing the taste.
For those following dietary preferences, substitutions like coconut oil instead of butter or dairy-free chocolate chips make this recipe accessible to dairy-free bakers. Gluten-free flour blends can also be used with excellent results.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
What truly sets this recipe apart is its simplicity and versatility. It requires only basic pantry staples, takes minimal prep time, and delivers bakery-quality results every time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a kitchen novice, these cookie bars are nearly foolproof.
Moreover, the chewy texture, rich flavor, and melty chocolate pockets create a comforting, satisfying treat that appeals to both kids and adults. They’re equally welcome at a school bake sale, family picnic, or late-night snack craving session.
Frequently Asked Customizations
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Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and richness.
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Swirl flavors: Add peanut butter, Nutella, or caramel sauce for a decadent twist.
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Seasonal versions: Mix in crushed peppermint candies for winter holidays or pastel-colored chocolates for spring.
Perfect for Every Occasion
Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a casual gathering, or simply an afternoon craving, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars fit every occasion. Their comforting aroma while baking fills the kitchen with a warmth that evokes happy memories and cozy feelings. They are the ultimate all-occasion dessert that never fails to bring joy.
Because they’re made in a single pan, they also travel well making them an excellent choice for bake sales, potlucks, and office parties. Everyone loves a cookie bar, and you’ll rarely have leftovers when these are on the dessert table.
Conclusion
In summary, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are more than just a dessert, they are a classic favorite that brings smiles with every bite. Their irresistible combination of buttery richness, chewy texture, and gooey chocolate ensures they will remain a staple in your baking repertoire for years to come. Simple to prepare and endlessly customizable, they can satisfy any sweet tooth craving at a moment’s notice.
Whether you enjoy them warm from the oven or packed in a lunchbox, these cookie bars promise comfort, flavor, and joy. So grab your ingredients and whip up a batch today and you won’t be disappointed!