Name: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 3/4 cup (165g) brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups (340g) chocolate chips; 1/2 cup (60g) chopped nuts (optional)

Baking these delightful chocolate chip cookie bars brings pure joy to your kitchen.

Soft, chewy textures promise an irresistible treat that melts in your mouth.

Sweet aromas will drift through every room, tempting everyone nearby.

Crisp edges and gooey centers create a perfect balance of flavors.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, making this recipe ideal for spontaneous baking moments.

Minimal effort guarantees maximum satisfaction with each delectable bite.

You’ll want to savor every single square of this crowd-pleasing dessert.

Simplify Baking: Prepare these delectable cookie bars with minimal steps and straightforward mixing techniques that even novice bakers can master.
Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Packed with chocolate chips and optional nuts, these bars guarantee smiles from kids and adults alike, making them perfect for family gatherings or potlucks.
Versatile Dessert Delight: Serve these bars as a comforting after-school snack, weekend treat, or elegant dessert that transitions seamlessly between casual and special occasions.
Quick Cleanup Champion: Parchment paper lining ensures easy removal and minimal dish washing, letting you spend more time enjoying the treats and less time scrubbing pans.

For the Base:

All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cookie bars.
Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a soft, tender crumb.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the bars.

For the Sweeteners:

Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: These sugars create a rich, deep sweetness and contribute to the bars' moist texture.

For the Binding and Moisture:

Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and helps create a tender crumb.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the bars.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that complements the chocolate.

For the Mix-Ins:

Chocolate Chips: Provide bursts of chocolate flavor throughout the bars.
Chopped Nuts: Optional ingredient that adds crunch and nutty flavor to the bars.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the sides hang over for easy bar removal later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until completely blended and set the mixture aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy, pale-colored blend, working the ingredients for about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Add Liquid Ingredients

Crack eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until the batter looks smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined with no flour streaks visible.

Step 6: Add Delicious Mix-Ins

Carefully fold in chocolate chips and optional chopped nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 7: Spread the Batter

Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula for a perfect finish.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 9: Cool and Rest

Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour.

Step 10: Slice and Serve

Using the parchment paper overhang, carefully lift the bars out of the pan and slice into delectable squares ready for enjoying.

Prevent Sticking: Line the baking pan with parchment paper, creating an overhang for easy removal and effortless cleanup.
Cream Butter Perfectly: Whip butter and sugars until light and fluffy, which creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture in the cookie bars.
Mix Eggs Carefully: Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly to ensure a smooth, well-incorporated batter without lumps.
Avoid Overmixing: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet ingredients just until combined to maintain a soft, chewy texture.
Customize with Add-Ins: Experiment with different chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits to personalize the cookie bars to your taste preferences.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select vegan chocolate chips for a plant-based alternative.
Nutty Chocolate Chip Bars: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts for extra crunch and rich flavor profile.
Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Bars: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar quantity and use dark chocolate chips with higher cocoa percentage.

Pair Creamy Milk for Ultimate Comfort: Grab a cold glass of whole milk to complement the rich, chocolatey sweetness of these cookie bars, creating a classic dessert experience that feels like a warm hug.
Enhance with Bold Espresso: Serve a shot of robust espresso alongside these chocolate chip bars to cut through the sweetness and provide a sophisticated adult twist to the classic treat.
Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top the warm cookie bars with a scoop of smooth vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold, creamy texture contrast beautifully with the warm, chewy chocolate chip base.
Elevate with Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle warm salted caramel sauce over the cookie bars to add a luxurious layer of flavor that intensifies the chocolate and brings out a deeper, more complex sweetness.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring minimal freezer burn.
Keep sealed in a container at room temperature for 2-3 days, maintaining soft texture and delicious flavor.
Warm refrigerated or frozen bars in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, restoring their gooey chocolate chips and soft, chewy consistency.

Why use parchment paper in this recipe?

Parchment paper helps easily remove the bars from the pan without breaking and provides non-stick baking surface, preventing the cookie bars from sticking.

Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can swap milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips based on your preference. Each type will give a slightly different flavor profile to the cookie bars.

How do I know when the cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a toothpick with a few moist crumbs when inserted in the center. This indicates the bars are cooked but still soft and chewy.

Is it necessary to cream butter and sugar thoroughly?

Yes, creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy creates air pockets that help achieve a softer, more tender texture in the final cookie bars.

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Single-serving recipe development
Global flavor fusion
Minimalist cooking techniques
Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training

Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.