🍪 Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – Your New Favorite Dessert
Introduction
What’s better than a warm chocolate chip cookie? A whole pan of them, sliced into soft, thick, chewy bars! These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are everything you love about classic cookies—without the need to scoop or batch bake. Just mix, spread, bake, and slice.
Golden edges, gooey centers, and melty chocolate in every bite? Yes, please.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ No fuss, one pan cookie goodness
✔️ Soft and chewy with golden, crisp edges
✔️ Perfect for parties, bake sales, or just a sweet craving
✔️ Mix in one bowl and bake in under 30 minutes
✔️ Endlessly customizable with your favorite add-ins
🛒 Ingredients (Yields 24 bars)
- 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (340g) chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark)
👨🍳 Directions
1️⃣ Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Set aside.
3️⃣ Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.
4️⃣ Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in vanilla extract.
5️⃣ Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.
Do not overmix—this keeps the bars soft.
6️⃣ Add Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7️⃣ Spread and Bake
Spread the dough into your prepared pan.
Use a spatula to smooth the top evenly.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
👉 Do not overbake for the softest texture!
8️⃣ Cool and Slice
Let the cookie bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Once completely cool, slice into bars and serve.
⏱️ Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Calories: ~230 per bar
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use half dark and half milk chocolate chips for depth
- Stir in chopped nuts, M&Ms, or toffee bits
- Love salted caramel? Drizzle melted caramel + sea salt over the top
- Want thicker bars? Use a 9×9-inch pan and bake an extra 5–10 minutes
- Freeze extra bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months
🍽️ What to Serve With
- A tall glass of cold milk
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top
- Pair with a hot espresso or chai latte
- Serve alongside Brownie Batter Dip or Edible Cookie Dough for a dessert spread
🧾 Final Thoughts
These Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate in simple, crowd-pleasing desserts. No scooping. No chilling. Just buttery, chocolate-loaded bliss baked into a pan. They’re fast, flexible, and frankly, addictive.
💬 Let’s See Your Bars!
Tried this recipe? Tag @ChefManiac and show off your cookie bar creations! Want a peanut butter version or a blondie twist? Just say the word—I’ve got you covered.
Leave a Reply