Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These chocolate chip cookie bars are easy to make with 5 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of baking. They are gooey, chewy, and made with classic chocolate chip cookie dough baked in a pan.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease lightly.
- Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined.
- Add egg and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Press dough evenly into prepared pan.
- Add extra chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake for 18–25 minutes until edges are set and top is lightly browned.
- Cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.
- Lift using parchment paper, cut into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Use an 8×8-inch pan for thicker bars.
- Double the recipe and bake in a 9×13-inch pan for a larger batch.
- Nutritional Information Disclaimer:
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and quantities used.
These chocolate chip cookie bars are a simple dessert made with classic chocolate chip cookie dough baked in a pan. They have a soft, chewy texture with gooey chocolate chips throughout and require only a few minutes of preparation before baking.
This recipe turns traditional chocolate chip cookies into easy bar cookies by pressing the dough into a baking pan instead of shaping individual cookies. With a buttery base, brown sugar sweetness, and plenty of chocolate chips, these bars are a convenient homemade treat.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Calories: Not provided
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These chocolate chip cookie bars make baking simple while delivering classic cookie flavor.
The dough comes together quickly with basic baking ingredients.
Baking the cookie dough in a pan saves time compared with shaping individual cookies.
The bars have a chewy texture with melted chocolate chips throughout.
They are easy to slice and serve for gatherings, snacks, or desserts.
The recipe can be adjusted for thicker bars or larger batches.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Easy Substitutions
Flour
All-purpose flour is used in this recipe. A gluten-free all-purpose baking flour can be used for a gluten-free version.
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips are used for the classic cookie flavor. Other chocolate varieties can be used depending on preference.
Butter
Softened butter helps create the cookie dough texture and allows the sugars to combine properly.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
An 8×8-inch pan can also be used for thicker bars.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt.
Set the mixture aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar.
Beat until the mixture is well combined.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture.
Beat until everything is evenly incorporated.
Step 5: Make the Cookie Dough
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix until the ingredients are fully combined and a cookie dough forms.
Add chocolate chips and mix until they are evenly distributed.
Step 6: Bake the Cookie Bars
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Add extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
Bake for 18–25 minutes until the edges are set and the top is just lightly browned.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Place the baking pan on a wire rack.
Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.
Use the parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan.
Cut into squares and serve.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Use softened butter so it combines smoothly with the sugars.
Do not overbake the bars because they continue to set as they cool.
Press the dough evenly into the pan for consistent baking.
Allow the bars to cool before slicing for cleaner pieces.
Add extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a more chocolate-filled finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overbaking the Cookie Bars
Baking too long can make the bars dry instead of chewy.
Skipping Cooling Time
Warm cookie bars are softer and may not cut cleanly.
Unevenly Pressing the Dough
An uneven layer can cause some areas to bake faster than others.
Using Cold Butter
Cold butter does not combine properly with the sugars and can affect the dough texture.
Variations
Thicker Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Use an 8×8-inch baking pan for thicker bars.
Gluten-Free Cookie Bars
Use gluten-free all-purpose baking flour instead of regular flour.
Extra Chocolate Cookie Bars
Add additional chocolate chips on top before baking.
Ice Cream Cookie Bars
Serve warm bars with a scoop of ice cream for a classic dessert combination.
What to Serve With Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These cookie bars pair well with:
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Fresh berries
Coffee
Milk
They can be served warm or cooled as an easy dessert.
How to Store Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Storage instructions were not provided with the original recipe information.
For best results, store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container and follow standard food storage practices.
How to Reheat Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Warm cookie bars gently before serving if you prefer a softer texture.
They can be served warm with ice cream for an easy dessert.
How to Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Freezing instructions were not provided with the original recipe information.
If freezing, allow the bars to cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container.
Make Ahead
The recipe does not include specific make-ahead instructions.
Cookie bars can be prepared ahead and served later once cooled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make thicker chocolate chip cookie bars?
Yes. Use an 8×8-inch baking pan for thicker bars.
How do I know when cookie bars are finished baking?
The edges should be set and the top should be just barely browned.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch baking dish for 25–28 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top is lightly browned and set.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes. A gluten-free all-purpose baking flour can be used as a substitute.
Should I cool cookie bars before cutting?
Yes. Cooling for at least 30 minutes helps the bars set and makes slicing easier.
