Make the best quick chocolate chip cookie bars for a tasty, chewy, and moist dessert that everyone will love!
Oh, the simple cookie bar! This is the best comfort food since it has all the great tastes of a classic chocolate chip cookie yet is easy to share and eat. These quick chocolate chip cookie bars are very easy to make and will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. You won’t have to worry about scooping out individual cookies. I’d even go so far as to claim that this is the best recipe for quick chocolate chip cookie bars you’ll ever attempt!
I’ve tried a lot of recipes as a seasoned baker, and this one always works. It has the perfect balance: a soft, chewy inside with edges that are just a little bit crunchy and a lot of chocolate chips. Also, the method is so easy that even people who are new to baking can get great outcomes. This recipe is great for weeknights when you’re busy, baking on the weekends, or even when you need a dessert for a potluck or party at the last minute. Let’s get into how to make these tasty treats!
Why You Will Love These Bars of Chocolate Chip Cookies
There are so many things to love about this recipe. First of all, it’s quite easy to use. You may enjoy all the taste of homemade chocolate chip cookies without having to scoop them out and bake them one at a time. The texture, on the other hand, is really beautiful. The centers of these bars are really moist and chewy, and the edges are just the right amount of chewy. They are also very forgiving, so you can always count on them. Also, you can use a lot of various kinds of chocolate chips or other things, so feel free to try new things!
Also, my family has loved this recipe for years, and I’m sure it will become a favorite in your home as well. This shows that you can make something really wonderful with just a few simple ingredients and easy methods. You should also check out my fudgy brownie recipe or my classic sugar cookies if you want to make other simple baked goodies.
Things You’ll Need for Quick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
The first step to making the ideal cookie bar is to get all of your ingredients together. Most of them are things you probably already have in your kitchen. This is what you need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened, unsalted butter
- 1 cup of sugar in granules
- 1 cup of light brown sugar packed tightly
- Two big eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups of flour for all purposes
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- 2 cups of chocolate chips, either milk, semi-sweet, or dark, depending on what you like.
Notes About the Ingredients for Quick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Butter: Your butter should be soft but not melted. When creaming with the sugars, this is very important for getting the right texture.
- Sugars: The moist, chewy texture comes from mixing granulated and brown sugar. Brown sugar gives the dish moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Eggs: Big eggs give the dish structure and flavor. Make sure they are at room temperature so they are simpler to mix in.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the most common type, but if you want to try something new, you might mix all-purpose and bread flour for a chewier texture.
- Chocolate Chips: Don’t be afraid to use a lot of chocolate chips! I like to use a blend of semi-sweet and milk chocolate to get a good flavor.
How to Make Quick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Let’s start baking now! This recipe is easy to follow, so you’ll be able to enjoy these tasty bars in no time.
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Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and get the pan ready.
Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper and leave some hanging over the edges so it’s easier to take out. This overhang gives you something to hold on to so you can easily take the cooled bars out of the pan.
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Cream the butter and sugars:
In a big mixing basin, whisk together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar. Mix the ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed until they are light, frothy, and pale in color. It normally takes 3 to 5 minutes to do this.
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Add the eggs and vanilla:
Beat in the large eggs one at a time, making sure each one is thoroughly mixed in before adding the next. After that, add the vanilla essence and mix it well. This process makes everything taste better and adds moisture.
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Combine the dry ingredients:
In a different medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking makes sure that the baking soda and salt are uniformly spread out in the flour. This is important for even leavening.
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Mix the wet and dry:
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix on low speed until everything is mixed together. At this point, it’s very crucial not to overmix the dough. If you do, the gluten will get too strong, and the bars will be harder instead of soft and chewy.
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Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
For the best chocolate flavor in every bite, spread them out evenly in the dough.
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Spread the dough in the pan:
Put the cookie dough in the 9×13 inch baking pan that you have already prepared. You can use a spatula or your hands, which you can gently dust, to press the dough into a uniform layer. Make sure the surface is fairly flat so that the baking is even.
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Bake to the Right Point:
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the middle is set but still a little mushy when you touch it. Watch them closely because ovens can be different. Don’t bake them too long, or they’ll get dry.
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Let it cool all the way down:
This might be the most crucial thing you can do to get clean cuts! Place the cookie bars on a wire rack to cool completely in the pan. This lets them harden and set the right way. If you rush, the bars will be brittle and sloppy.
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Cut and Enjoy:
After the cookie bars have cooled completely, use the parchment paper overhang to take the whole slab out of the pan. Put it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into squares or rectangles. Enjoy your handmade chocolate chip cookie bars, which are really easy to make and taste great!
Tips for Success and Many Ways to Do It
Getting the perfect texture for chocolate chip cookie bars is all about paying attention to a few small things and being willing to try new things. Here are some of my finest tips and ways to change the flavor of your baking:
The Best Quick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars:
- Softened butter and eggs at room temperature are very important for appropriate emulsification, which makes the texture better.
- Don’t Overmix: If you mix the dough too much after adding flour, your bars will be tough. Mix until the flour streaks are gone.
- Cooling is Important: Don’t give in to the impulse to cut the bars while they are still warm. Allowing them to cool all the way down lets them set and makes the cuts much cleaner.
- Parchment Paper Magic: It’s quite easy to get the bars out of the pan when you use parchment paper with an overhang.
- Oven Accuracy: Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is at the right temperature. For baking to work, the temperature must be right.
Tasty Changes:
- Nutty Delight: For more crunch and flavor, add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Before baking, melt 1/2 cup of peanut butter and mix it into the cookie mixture. You can also put spoonfuls of peanut butter on top and gently swirl them with a knife. This peanut butter cookie bar recipe is a great way to pamper yourself.
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut: Use white chocolate chips instead of chocolate chips and add ½ cup of chopped macadamia nuts.
- Triple Chocolate: Use a mix of semi-sweet, milk, and dark chocolate chips for a really chocolatey experience.
- Sea Salt Finish: Before baking, sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of the dough to make it taste sweet and salty at the same time.
Keeping and Freezing
To keep your chocolate chip cookie bars fresh and soft, you need to store them correctly. You should eat them within a few days of baking them.
At Room Temperature:
When the bars are completely cool, put them in a container that doesn’t let air in and keep them at room temperature. For up to three or four days, they should stay soft and moist. If your kitchen is too warm, it would be wiser to keep them in the fridge. Just remember to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
How to Freeze:
These bars freeze really nicely, so you can make them ahead of time. You can wrap each bar securely in plastic wrap and then put them in a bag or container that can go in the freezer after they have totally cooled. Keep them in the freezer for up to three months. You may enjoy them by letting them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or by gently reheating them in the oven or microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven sensation.
Questions That Are Asked a Lot
What makes these chocolate chip cookie bars so soft?
Can I put chocolate chip cookie bars in the freezer?
What are some different ways to make these cookie bars?
What is the best way to keep cookie bars that are left over?
More Tasty Recipes to Try
If you liked these quick chocolate chip cookie bars, you might also like these other recipes from my kitchen:
I often go to King Arthur Baking for advice on how to bake and the science behind it. Serious Eats is a great place to learn about where to get ingredients and how to tell whether they are good.
It’s Your Turn to Bake!
It’s time to start baking now that you have the recipe and all the tips. These simple chocolate chip cookie bars are more than simply a treat; they’re a small piece of happiness that you can make. I hope you try this recipe, share what you make with friends and family, and most importantly, enjoy every bite!
Did you make this dish? I’d love to know everything about it! Please leave a comment below about your experience. I always love getting your thoughts and pictures!
