Description
These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars elevate a timeless favorite by combining rich, melty chocolate with the indulgent texture of a thick, chewy bar. They’re simple to make, and the result is a golden, gooey treat that captures all the charm of classic chocolate chip cookies—without the fuss of scooping dough or chilling time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter – salted or unsalted (add ¼ tsp salt if unsalted)
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)
- 2 ¼ cups all‑purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ to 2 cups chocolate – chopped bar or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Line an 8″×8″ baking tray with parchment paper and leave an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, melt the butter (in 30‑second intervals in the microwave or on the stovetop) and stir until smooth.
- Mix in the brown sugar and granulated sugar while the butter is warm until the sugars are dissolved.
- Once the mixture has cooled slightly, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until just combined—don’t overmix.
- Stir in the chocolate pieces or chips until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the thick dough into the prepared tray and press evenly into the pan. If desired, push extra chocolate pieces on top for a decorative finish.
- Bake for 18‑22 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is still slightly soft (slightly under‑baked is better for chewiness). See tip: do not overbake. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Let the bars cool in the pan for 10‑15 minutes, then use the parchment overhang to lift them out and finish cooling before slicing into ~9 bars.
Notes
- Using brown sugar helps achieve that chewy, moist texture—less brown sugar can make the bars drier. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Pressing dough into an 8″×8″ pan ensures the proper thickness for chewy bars; too large a pan risks thin, crispy bars. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Line the pan with parchment and leave an overhang so you can lift bars out easily for neat slicing. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Let the bars cool before slicing—they firm up as they cool. Cutting too soon may cause them to crumble. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- For variety: add chopped nuts, caramel bits, white chocolate, or swirl in cheesecake before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
