The Best Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe for Sweet Treats

Soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie bars delight taste buds with their irresistible homemade charm.

Every baker knows these treats deliver pure comfort in a single bite.

The classic chocolate chip cookie bars bring warmth and nostalgia to any kitchen gathering.

Crisp edges and gooey centers create a perfect balance of textures that everyone craves.

Rich butter and chocolate merge into a simple yet decadent dessert that takes minutes to prepare.

No complicated techniques or fancy equipment stand between you and these delectable bars.

Bake a batch and watch smiles spread across hungry faces.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Batch Highlights

• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: These chocolate chip cookie bars deliver irresistible sweet comfort that everyone from kids to adults will love, making them perfect for gatherings or family treats.
• Super Quick Preparation: With minimal mixing steps and straightforward ingredients, bakers can whip up these delicious bars faster than traditional drop cookies, reducing overall kitchen time.
• Versatile Serving Option: Easily slice into neat squares for potlucks, school events, movie nights, or casual dessert settings, providing a convenient and shareable treat that requires no individual cookie shaping.
• Low-Stress Baking: Requiring just basic pantry staples and simple technique, these bars are beginner-friendly and forgiving, allowing even novice bakers to create a professional-looking dessert without complicated steps.

Ingredients for Cookie Bar Success

• All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure and texture to the cookie bars.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: These sweeteners create a rich, caramelized flavor and soft texture.
• Chocolate Chips: The star ingredient that adds delicious chocolate bursts throughout the bars.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides moisture and helps create a tender, rich base for the cookie bars.
• Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the bar's soft, chewy consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aromatic profile.

• Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor of the cookie bars.
• Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, tender texture.
• Nonstick Spray: Ensures easy removal of the bars from the baking pan.
• Parchment Paper or Foil: Assists in easy removal and clean cutting of the cookie bars.

Baking Instructions for Chewy Cookie Bars

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven and Prep the Pan

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F.

Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and create a smooth layer of foil or parchment paper, making sure to give it a quick spray of nonstick goodness.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Teammates

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Baking soda

Use a whisk to make sure everything is beautifully blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Create the Wet Wonder

• Brown sugar
• White sugar

Crack in the eggs and splash of vanilla, then whisk until everything looks smooth and harmonious.

Step 4: Marry the Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly pour the dry mixture into the wet ingredients.

Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Sprinkle in chocolate chips and fold them in, being careful not to overmix – we want tender bars, not tough cookies!

Step 5: Spread and Bake

Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan.

Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for about 23 minutes.

You’re looking for a light golden brown color that hints at deliciousness.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the bars rest in the pan for 5 minutes.

Then, lift the entire creation out using the foil or parchment.

Allow to cool completely before slicing into 24 delectable squares.

Enjoy your homemade treat!

Tips for Extra Gooey Cookie Bars

• Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to keep bars tender and avoid tough texture.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips or chunks for richer, more intense flavor in every bite.
• Look for light golden edges and slightly soft center to ensure moist, chewy bars without overbaking.
• Use parchment paper with slight overhang for easy removal and clean cutting of cookie bars.
• Allow bars to cool completely to set properly and develop optimal texture and flavor.

Creative Cookie Bar Variations

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly option.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based version.
• Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional sugars, and opt for dark chocolate chips with higher cocoa content for reduced sugar.

Serving Ideas for Cookie Bars

• Sweet Milk Splash: Serve these warm cookie bars with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate dunking experience.
• Sundae Style: Transform bars into dessert by topping with vanilla ice cream, chocolate drizzle, and whipped cream.
• Gifting Delight: Package bars in cute cellophane bags tied with ribbons for homemade edible gifts that friends will love.
• Coffee Companion: Pair with espresso or cappuccino for a delightful afternoon treat that complements rich coffee flavors.

Storage Tips for Cookie Bar Freshness

• Store cooled chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and fresh.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-lasting enjoyment.
• Remove frozen bars from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving, restoring their delicious texture and flavor.
• Place a piece of bread in the storage container to help maintain the bars' moisture and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.

FAQs

• What makes the chocolate chip cookie bars different from traditional cookies?

These bars offer a convenient, quick alternative to individual cookies. You get all the delicious chocolate chip cookie flavor in an easy-to-make, sheet pan format that requires less effort and time.

• Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips for milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate. White chocolate chips or even chocolate chunks work great in this recipe for variety and personal preference.

• How do I ensure my bars are soft and chewy?

The key is not overmixing the dough and not overbaking. Remove the bars from the oven when edges are light golden but center still looks slightly soft. They’ll continue cooking as they cool, resulting in a perfectly soft texture.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Sweet chocolate chip cookie bars melt hearts with irresistible homemade goodness. Gooey chocolate and buttery dough create pure comfort, inviting friends and family to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (340 grams) mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (220 grams) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar

Eggs and Flavoring:

• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by lining a 9×13 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage and lightly coating with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour, salt, and baking soda using a whisk to eliminate any potential lumps and create a uniform dry mixture.
3. Melt butter and whisk it together with both sugars until smooth and well-integrated, then incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until the liquid ingredients form a cohesive blend.
4. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to prevent overmixing, then carefully fold in chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
5. Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan, using clean hands or a spatula to spread it uniformly across the entire surface, ensuring an even thickness.
6. Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for approximately 23 minutes, monitoring until the edges turn light golden brown and the center appears set.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully lift the entire cookie slab out using the foil or parchment edges.
8. Let the cookie bars cool completely on a wire rack for about 30 minutes before slicing into 24 equal-sized bars for serving.

Notes

• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense bars that lose their soft, chewy texture.
• For gluten-free option, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the same delicious result.
• Try different chocolate chip varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate to customize the flavor profile and keep things interesting.
• Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat edges and prevent crumbling during slicing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 23 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 75mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg