If you’re looking for the kind of nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat that makes any day feel extra special, look no further than these Cookie Bars. Imagine everything you love about a classic chocolate chip cookie—chewy edges, soft middles, and melty chocolate—baked into an easy-to-slice bar that’s perfect for sharing (or not!). Whether you’re baking for a picnic, a party, or simply for your family’s sweet tooth, this recipe is about to earn a permanent spot in your dessert rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to outstanding Cookie Bars lies in a harmonious blend of pantry staples, each one playing its part to create that irresistible texture and rich flavor. Don’t skip or skimp—every ingredient shines here!

Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Creates a tender crumb, richness, and unbeatable melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a lovely caramel note for chewiness.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Gives structure and just the right touch of sweetness.
Eggs (2 large): Bind everything together and give the bars their soft, cake-like texture.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Brings those comforting, bakery-style aromas front and center.
All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Provides the base and bulks up the bars just enough to stay thick but tender.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Lends a slight lift, giving the bars their perfect crumb.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brightens up all that sweetness and balances out the chocolate beautifully.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups): Delivers that classic, gooey, chocolatey punch in every bite.

How to Make Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or, for the easiest cleanup ever, line it with parchment paper. This little step means your Cookie Bars will pop right out later with clean edges—no mess or fuss!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This not only helps dissolve the sugar for a smooth texture, but also introduces a bit of air for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Don’t rush this part—the more you cream, the more irresistible your bars will be.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before moving to the next. This method ensures even mixing and a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for that touch of cozy, classic cookie flavor.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This prevents any pockets of baking soda or salt from sneaking into your finished bars, so give it a good stir. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain—overmixing can make bars tough instead of tender.

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips

With a gentle hand, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. You want them evenly distributed, ensuring that every bite of your Cookie Bars comes with perfect bursts of chocolate. At this stage, if you’d like, you can add in nuts, white chocolate chips, or toffee bits for an extra twist.

Step 6: Spread and Bake

Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. The smell in your kitchen will be out of this world!

Step 7: Cool and Slice

This is the hardest part—let your Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. Waiting lets the texture set up perfectly, making slicing a breeze and giving you those clean, bakery-style edges everyone loves.

How to Serve Cookie Bars

Garnishes

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a dusting of powdered sugar can add a little extra flair to your Cookie Bars. These small touches turn an already delicious treat into a showstopper, whether for a bake sale or your own kitchen counter.

Side Dishes

Cookie Bars pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee. For a more decadent dessert, serve them à la mode with a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream—the contrasting textures and temperatures are pure bliss!

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking bars in a pretty tin for gift-giving, or slicing them into bite-sized squares as part of a dessert platter. You can also wrap individual Cookie Bars in wax paper for grab-and-go treats at parties or picnics. No one will be able to resist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cookie Bars can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They’re wonderfully sturdy and stay soft and delicious, so you can enjoy a homemade treat throughout the week with zero fuss.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange fully cooled Cookie Bars in a single layer or between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature whenever you need an instant dessert fix!

Reheating

If you love that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, pop a bar (or two) in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. This revives their gooey center and makes the chocolate chips all melty again—almost as if they were just baked.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Absolutely! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to a generous pinch, and your Cookie Bars will still taste delicious. The flavor profile will shift a bit toward the savory side, which some people love!

How can I make these bars chewier?

For a chewier bite, try slightly underbaking the bars and letting them cool completely before slicing. The center will finish setting as they cool, delivering that unbeatable chew and gooey chocolate throughout.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Go for it! Chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), white or dark chocolate chips, or bits of toffee can be gently folded into the dough with the chocolate chips. This is a fabulous way to put your personal spin on classic Cookie Bars.

What’s the best way to cut them cleanly?

Wait until the bars are fully cooled—this helps prevent crumbling. Use a sharp knife, and for perfectly neat slices, occasionally wipe the blade clean between cuts. Lining the pan with parchment also makes removal easier.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The bars will still bake up beautifully and have that classic Cookie Bar flavor everyone loves.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something so joyful about biting into a freshly baked Cookie Bar—warm, gooey, nostalgic, and impossible to eat just one. I hope you’ll give these a try and make them your own, adding your favorite touches and sharing them with people you love. Happy baking!

Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These cookie bars are a delectable treat with a perfect balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they are sure to become a favorite for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Bars:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, stirring until combined.
Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips. Spread the dough in the prepared pan.
Bake: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Cool and Serve: Let cool completely before cutting into bars.