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These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the easiest dessert to whip up for last minute guests or when you’re craving something sweet and classic. Baked in one pan, no need to chill or scoop, just mix, bake, and slice into soft, chewy bars full of melty chocolate.
“I love how easy these are to make in one pan! Soft, chocolatey cookie bars in less than 30 minutes.”
-Becky
These cookie bars taste just like your favorite chocolate chip cookies but with half the effort. You only need one bowl, one pan, and about 30 minutes to make a batch. They’re thick, buttery, and loaded with chocolate in every bite.
Love easy desserts for holidays or parties? Try these soft Lemon Blueberry Cookies, or these simple Oreo Popcorn, Oreo Mug Cake, and Hamburger Cookie recipes. For a more classic dessert, you will love this old fashioned Homemade Apple Pie or these elegant Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Ingredients You Will Need
- All purpose flour – Gives the bars structure and chewiness.
- Baking soda – Helps the bars rise slightly while staying soft.
- Butter – Softened, not melted, for the perfect cookie texture.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and structure.
- Light Brown sugar – Adds moisture and that irresistible chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavor, especially if you use Homemade Vanilla Extract.
- Chocolate chips – The semi sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even chocolate chunks, will all work for chocolatey flavor.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
- Add nuts: Stir in chopped walnuts, or pecans, or even crushed pretzels for a salty twist.
- Top with more chocolate: Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips on top before baking.
- Add-ins: Try adding toffee bits, peanut butter chips, or chopped dried fruit.
- Blondie style bars: Swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.
- Kid friendly: Skip the nuts and press sprinkles into the top before baking.
- Make it a big dessert: Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a special dessert!
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup, set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set dry ingredients aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter with the sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until everything is smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. (It will look like a thick, wet sand)
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined, and a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and and optional chopped nuts until they are evenly distributed into the dough.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth out the top.
- Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set. Let the bars cool in the pan before slicing and serving.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overbake. The bars will continue to set as they cool. Pull them out when the edges start to turn golden brown and the center looks just set.
- Use room temperature butter. This helps the batter cream properly and creates a soft, fluffy texture.
- Want clean edges? Let the bars cool completely before slicing, or chill them in the fridge for 15-30 minutes, for super sharp cuts.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars FAQs
Yes! You can use a 9×13-inch pan or baking dish, just watch the bake time. Keep an eye on the center for doneness.
Absolutely. Let them cool completely, slice into squares, and store in an airtight container with parchment between layers. Freeze up to 2 months.
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature to help retain moisture.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
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Homemade Thin Mint Cookies
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Snowball Cookies
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Pumpkin Spice Cookies
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Equipment
- 15×10 baking dish or 9×13
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chocolate chips, semi sweet or milk chocolate (12 ounce bag)
Optional: 1 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup, set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set dry ingredients aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars and vanilla until everything is smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. (It will look like a thick, wet sand)
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined, and a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and and optional chopped nuts until they are evenly distributed into the dough.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth out the top.
- Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set. Let the bars cool in the pan before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Be careful you don’t overbake. The bars will continue to set as they cool. Pull them out when the edges start to turn golden brown and the center looks just set.
- Use room temperature butter. This helps the batter cream properly and creates a soft, fluffy texture.
- Want clean edges? Let the bars cool completely before slicing, or chill them in the fridge for 15-30 minutes, for super sharp cuts.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are really good, have a hard time stopping when I start eating them 😋😋😋
I love making these bars when I need a quick batch of cookies! They are so soft and gooey too!