These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are your answer to a speedy and delightful treat. They provide the rich texture of a thick, soft cookie but with the added benefit of cutting down your baking time. Prepare the dough, bake it all together, and you’ll have dessert ready in a snap.

• Cuisine: American
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: About 45 minutes
• Servings: 24 squares

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No individual scooping is needed—everything bakes in one pan.
• Perfectly chewy and chocolatey in every bite.
• Highly adaptable—you can customize with nuts or toffee bits.
• Great for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookie bars.
• 1 tsp baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the bars rise.
• ¼ tsp table salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bars.
• 1 cup butter (melted and cooled slightly): Adds richness and moisture; melted for easy mixing.
• 1½ cups brown sugar (packed): Contributes to the bars’ chewiness and adds moisture.
• ¾ cups white sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with the golden color.
• 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add moisture.
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract: Provides aromatic flavor to the bars.
• 2 cups chocolate chips (any kind you like, or a mix): The star of the bars; use your favorite type.
• ½ cup toffee bits (optional): Adds a crunchy, buttery texture if desired.

How to Make It

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with foil and lightly spray it with cooking spray. This ensures easy removal of the bars after cooling and maintains the shape.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking them together ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt, preventing any uneven taste.

Step 3: Prepare Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, and melted butter. Stir until smooth, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and finally add the vanilla. The gradual mixing helps to create a uniform batter, essential for consistent texture.

Step 4: Combine and Add Mix-Ins

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips thoroughly, reserving a few to sprinkle on top if desired. This last mix-in step ensures even distribution of the chocolate throughout the bars.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking for a golden brown edge and a set center around the 20-minute mark. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. This cooling time is crucial to achieve a set and delightful bar texture, avoiding the gooeyness of the center when hot.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature before pressing into the pan and baking.

What other add-ins can I use?

Apart from toffee bits, consider adding nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch, or swirls of peanut butter for a nutty twist. Adjust these quantities based on your preference.

How do I store these cookie bars?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. To freeze, layer bars with parchment paper to prevent sticking.