Dreamy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Warm, gooey banana chocolate chip cookie bars blend sweet nostalgia with irresistible comfort.

Rich banana flavors mingle perfectly with decadent chocolate chips in this crowd-pleasing treat.

Every bite promises a delightful harmony of soft, chewy textures and classic dessert charm.

Ripe bananas add moisture and natural sweetness to these delectable bars.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly for a foolproof dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Fresh from the oven, these bars will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Indulge in this easy, mouthwatering recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert.

Tips For Baking Soft Cookie Bars

• Let the butter develop a deep golden color and nutty scent for enhanced flavor complexity that elevates the entire cookie bar experience.
• Use overripe bananas to ensure maximum sweetness and moisture, creating a softer, more tender texture in your bars.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a tender crumb and prevent tough, dense cookie bars that lack the perfect soft texture.
• Let the bars cool completely before cutting to help them set properly and achieve clean, crisp edges for picture-perfect presentation.
• Gently press additional toppings into the warm surface to help them adhere and create a beautiful, tempting appearance that makes these bars irresistible.

Flavor Swaps For Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals. Maintain same measurement and baking technique for consistent texture.
• Vegan Chocolate Banana Cookie Squares: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use dairy-free chocolate chips. Ensure all ingredients are plant-based while preserving original recipe's rich flavor profile.
• Nutty Banana Chocolate Chip Bars: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added crunch and nutty complexity. Reduce chocolate chips slightly to balance ingredient proportions.
• Lower Sugar Banana Chocolate Chip Bars: Use monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar content by half. Add extra mashed banana for natural sweetness and moisture retention.

Cookie Bars: What to Serve With

• Chocolate Drizzle Delight: Melt extra chocolate and elegantly drizzle over the cooled bars for a stunning visual and rich flavor boost.
• Scoop Paradise: Serve warm bars with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a decadent dessert that combines warm, gooey cookies with cool, creamy sweetness.
• Caramel Crunch Companion: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the bars and sprinkle with sea salt flakes for a sophisticated sweet-salty combination that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Coffee Shop Companion: Pair these bars with a strong espresso or cappuccino, letting the rich chocolate and banana flavors complement the robust coffee notes for a perfect afternoon treat.

Store Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars For Next Day

• Store the banana chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their soft texture.
• Extend the shelf life by storing in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to keep moisture locked in and prevent drying out.
• Pack the bars in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2-3 hours before serving.

FAQs

• Why brown the butter in this recipe?

Browning butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookie bars, creating a deeper, more complex profile compared to regular melted butter.

• Can I use unripe bananas for this recipe?

No, use ripe or overripe bananas. They provide more natural sweetness and moisture, which helps create a softer, more flavorful cookie bar.

• What happens if I overmix the dough?

Overmixing develops too much gluten, resulting in tough, dense cookie bars instead of soft, tender ones. Gently fold ingredients just until combined.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Sweetness Unlocked

• Elevate Flavor Complexity: Brown butter transforms ordinary cookies into a gourmet treat with its rich, nutty depth that amplifies the banana and chocolate combination.
• Simplify Baking Process: One-pan method eliminates multiple mixing bowls and complicated steps, making these bars perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows quick mix-ins like different chocolate types or additional nuts, enabling personal creativity without compromising the base recipe.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Combines beloved flavors of banana and chocolate in a shareable, portable format that appeals to both kids and adults at gatherings, potlucks, and family events.

Cookie Bars Ingredient Guide At A Glance

• Butter: A key ingredient that is browned to develop a rich, nutty flavor.
• Mashed Banana: Provides moisture and natural sweetness to the cookie bars.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Add sweetness and help create a soft, chewy texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the cookie bars.
• Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and achieve a light texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, complementary flavor to the banana and chocolate.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Milk Chocolate Chips, Toffee Bits: Provide extra flavor, texture, and sweetness throughout the bars.

• Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookie bars.

• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal of the bars from the baking pan.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and aids in easy removal.

Banana Chocolate Chip Bars How-To Made Simple

Step 1: Transform Butter into Liquid Gold

Drop butter cubes into a heavy saucepan set on medium heat.

Stir continuously while butter melts and creates foam.

Keep stirring until the butter transforms into a gorgeous golden brown color with an irresistible nutty fragrance.

Swiftly transfer the browned butter into a heat-safe bowl to cool down.

Step 2: Craft Dry Ingredient Blend

Sift flour, cinnamon, and baking soda together in a medium mixing bowl until perfectly combined and lump-free.

Step 3: Warm Up the Oven and Prep the Pan

Set oven temperature to 350F (175C).

Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating convenient handles for easy bar removal.

Lightly coat the paper with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 4: Create Wet Ingredient Symphony

• Cooled brown butter
• Mashed banana
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Whisk ingredients until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold sifted dry ingredients into wet mixture using a spatula.

Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 6: Introduce Delicious Mix-ins

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Milk chocolate chips
• Toffee bits

Ensure even distribution throughout the dough.

Step 7: Spread the Deliciousness

Evenly distribute cookie dough across prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula.

Step 8: Decorate with Extra Goodness

Sprinkle additional chocolate chips and toffee bits over dough, gently pressing them into the surface.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top turns golden brown.

The center should remain slightly soft while edges become firmer.

Step 10: Add Final Flourish

While bars are warm (not hot), scatter more chocolate chips and toffee bits on top, allowing them to soften from residual heat.

Step 11: Patience Pays Off

Let cookie bars cool completely inside the pan.

This crucial step ensures proper setting and ideal texture.

Step 12: Slice and Serve

After complete cooling, lift bars out using parchment paper handles.

Cut into 9 equal squares and enjoy your delectable creation.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet banana chocolate chip cookie bars blend classic comfort with irresistible flavor, creating a dreamy dessert that melts in your mouth. Moist, chewy bars packed with ripe bananas and rich chocolate chips promise pure indulgence you won’t be able to resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, for browning
• 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) mashed ripe banana (about 1 large banana)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

Sugars and Flavoring:

• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Chocolate and Toppings:

• 1/2 cup (85 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for topping
• 1/2 cup (85 grams) milk chocolate chips, plus extra for topping
• 1/3 cup (50 grams) toffee bits, plus extra for topping

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Instructions

1. Transform butter into a rich, golden-brown state by cubing and heating in a heavy saucepan over medium temperature. Stir continuously until the butter develops a deep, nutty fragrance. Swiftly transfer to a heat-resistant container to halt cooking process.
2. Sift flour, cinnamon, and baking soda together in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring smooth and even distribution of dry ingredients.
3. Heat oven to 350F. Prepare a 9-inch baking pan by lining with parchment paper, creating extended edges for easy extraction. Lightly coat with non-stick spray.
4. Combine cooled brown butter with mashed banana, brown and granulated sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture becomes uniform and glossy.
5. Gently incorporate sifted dry ingredients into wet mixture, folding with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
6. Delicately fold semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and toffee bits throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution.
7. Spread cookie dough uniformly across prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula for consistent thickness.
8. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips and toffee bits across the dough’s surface, gently pressing them to slightly embed.
9. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top turns golden and the center remains slightly soft while edges become firm.
10. While bars are warm, scatter extra chocolate chips and toffee bits on top, allowing residual heat to soften them slightly.
11. Allow cookie bars to cool completely within the pan, crucial for achieving optimal texture and structural integrity.
12. Utilize parchment paper handles to remove bars from pan. Slice into nine equal squares and serve.

Notes

• Brown the butter carefully to develop a rich, nutty flavor without burning, which can make the butter taste bitter and ruin the entire recipe.
• Use very ripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness and deeper banana flavor in the cookie bars.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense bars; mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the texture tender and soft.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the same delicious texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg