Easy, from-scratch chocolate chip cookie bars will satisfy any cookie craving! Full of melty semisweet chocolate chips, these are your favorite chocolate chip cookie made into a thick, chewy handheld bar. Perfect in school lunches!
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Pin RecipeWhat’s better than a chocolate chip cookie? Chocolate chip cookie bars!
I didn’t think it was possible to improve upon my perfect chocolate chip cookie, but I have to say that this recipe comes close! These brownie-like chocolate chip cookie bars make a wonderful after-school treat. I also love to tuck chocolate chip cookie bars into lunches or just have a plate on the counter to snack on during the afternoon.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
A warm chocolate chip cookie oozing and gooey with melted chocolate is one of my favorite things ever. And I love to turn that concept into a bar shape. Making cookie bars saves a bit on prep time—you won’t need to form individual cookies and wait impatiently for each tray to bake. Instead, you bake the dough as one big cookie, then cut it up into thick squares after it’s baked to perfection.
This is a wonderful, classic chocolate chip cookie recipe that hits all the chocolate chip cookie notes you’ll want. Ingredients like vanilla, brown sugar, and butter combine to make the ultimate comfort food treat. Plus, your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing. I like to throw in semisweet chocolate chips but you could also swap in M&Ms or go the even sweeter route with milk chocolate chips. Don’t forget a cold glass of milk with your cookie bar!
If you want to try some more of my favorite recipes featuring chocolate chips, my Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip, Chocolate Chip Muffins, Chocolate Chip Pie, or Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies are sure to hit the spot!
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Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Flour – I use all-purpose flour to make these chocolate chip cookie bars.
- Baking soda
- Salt – Fine sea salt or table salt.
- Butter – I recommend unsalted butter in this recipe.
- Sugar
- Brown sugar – You can use light or dark brown sugar.
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Semisweet chocolate chips
Variations
- Add nuts. Toss in some toasted nuts like chopped almonds or walnuts to add a bit of crunch to these cookie bars.
- Swap the chocolate for candy. I’m thinking mini M&Ms, chopped peanut butter cups or toffee, or even some caramel bits. Adding candy to these bars would make them ultra decadent!
- Try a different kind of chocolate. You could switch out the semisweet chips for milk chocolate or even white chocolate if that’s your thing.
- Add mini marshmallows. Turn these bars into a s’mores-like confection with the addition of mini marshmallows! The marshmallows will melt during baking, and if you eat the cookie bars while they’re warm you’ll have an amazing melted chocolate marshmallow treat.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Heat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the bowl, and beat until well-combined.
- Slowly add in the dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips: Fold in the chocolate chips using a rubber spatula.
- Place the dough in the baking pan: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake the cookie bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and slice the bars: Let the cookie bars cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Quick Tip
Line the baking dish with parchment paper so it will be easier to remove the bars. Use a serrated knife to easily cut the bars once they’ve cooked and cooled.
How to Store Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Store chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few great ways to serve chocolate chip cookie bars:
- With ice cream. This is a classic! Top a warm chocolate chip cookie bar with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert!
- Make a sundae. Turn a big slice of cookie bar into a sundae! Top it with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and chocolate chips.
- Top with chocolate frosting. I know, I know. This is really going big on chocolate. But if you like, you can spread homemade chocolate frosting over the top of the cooled pan of cookie bars for a decadent finishing touch.
FAQs
Egg yolks help to make cookies irresistibly soft and chewy. You can try swapping the egg called for in your recipe with 2 egg yolks.
If you prefer a sweeter cookie, use milk chocolate chips. If you prefer a cookie that’s not super sweet, use semisweet or dark chocolate chips.
Brown sugar, because it’s more dense than granulated sugar, creates fewer air pockets during the creaming process. This means less moisture escapes during baking, and the cookies will stay moist and chewy.
More Delicious Cookie Recipes
Cookies
Banana Pudding Cookies
Cookies
Carrot Cake Cookies
Easter
Cadbury Egg Cookies
Quick & Easy Desserts
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
No Bake Desserts
No Bake Cookies (Without Peanut Butter)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the bowl, and beat until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips using a rubber spatula.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cookie bars cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
