Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: A Delectable Treat for Every Occasion
Your favorite chewy chocolate chip cookies just got easier! These chocolate chip cookie bars have the chewy texture you love in an easy-to-portion bar form.

Cookie bars are a lazy baker’s dream come true. You can whip up an easy cookie dough, spread it into a pan, and bake everything all at once. It’s the best way to get a bunch of cookies in the shortest amount of time.
Plus, you can cut the bars into large pieces for a big, indulgent dessert or slice them into smaller squares if you’re feeding a crowd or taking them to a cookie exchange. Whether you’re making my sugar cookie bars, monster cookie bars, pecan bars, or these chocolate chip cookie bars – you really can’t go wrong.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These chocolate chip cookie bars are super quick and easy. They don’t require a mixer, and you don’t have to scoop out each cookie and bake multiple trays. It’s the perfect recipe to turn to when you’re craving chocolate chip cookies but are running extra short on time and energy!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this recipe are pretty similar to most chocolate chip cookie recipes. What makes this recipe different is the method. You’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
This recipe uses more brown sugar than white sugar to help give these cookie bars their chewy texture. For an even richer flavor and chewier bite, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light.
You will have an egg white leftover, but don’t discard it! Save it to use in pumpkin donut holes.
Semisweet chocolate chips are the classic go-to for chocolate chip cookies, but feel free to substitute semisweet chocolate chunks or dark chocolate chips/chunks if you like. Or swap out white chocolate chips for those who don’t love chocolate!
Making These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Chocolate chip cookie bars are baked in a 9×13-inch pan. Line the pan with foil, leaving about an inch of foil extending over the edges – this will make it easier to lift the cookie bars out of the pan later.
In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda. Set this mixture aside.
In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and the sugars. Add the egg and egg yolk, along with the vanilla, and mix until smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until no dry bits remain. Fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chips.
Now, use a spatula or clean hands to press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan. If you find the dough sticking to your hands, wet them first. Sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips over the top of the dough and gently press them in so they stick.
Bake the cookie bars at 325°F for 25-30 minutes. This is one of those recipes where it’s better to under-bake than over-bake, so try not to let them go too long. Allow the cookie bars to cool for about 50 minutes before slicing and serving. They’ll be cool enough to slice and handle while still having little pockets of melty chocolate. Yum!
Helpful Resources
- Before you start baking, make sure you know how to measure flour correctly. This will help your chocolate chip cookie bars turn out perfect every time.
- If you run out of brown sugar, don’t panic. Make a simple brown sugar substitute to use instead.
- If your brown sugar hardened in the pantry, check out my tips for softening brown sugar and save yourself a trip to the store.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Store these chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you want to freeze the bars, you can do that before or after slicing them. Remove the cooled cookie bars from the pan and wrap the entire slab in a layer of plastic wrap followed by heavy-duty foil, or place the cut bars in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw the bars at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving.
Ingredients | Instructions |
---|---|
2 cups all-purpose flour | Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with foil. |
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt | In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside. |
1/2 teaspoon baking soda | In a large bowl, stir together melted butter and sugars. Stir in the egg and yolk, and vanilla until smooth. |
3/4 cup melted unsalted butter | Add the flour mixture, stirring until no dry bits remain. Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips. |
1 cup packed light brown sugar | Turn cookie dough into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Press the remaining chocolate chips on top. |
1/2 cup granulated sugar | Bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow to cool before serving. |
1 large egg | |
1 large egg yolk | |
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract | |
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips |