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Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Easy chocolate chip cookie bars with buttery edges, soft chewy centers, and plenty of melted chocolate chips.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Servings: 16
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Bar Dough
  • 1 cup 226 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup 200 g packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup 100 g granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2½ cups 300 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups 255 g semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup 85 g extra chocolate chips, optional, for topping
Optional Add-Ins
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
  • Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 × 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy, about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, reserving a small handful for the topping if desired.
  7. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top and press them in gently.
  8. Bake for 22–28 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center looks set but remains slightly soft.
  9. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
  10. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper and cut into 16 squares or rectangles.

Notes

  • Measure flour carefully to prevent dry, dense cookie bars.
  • Use softened butter rather than melted butter for the intended texture.
  • Mix the dough only until the ingredients are combined.
  • Begin checking for doneness around 22 minutes because ovens and pans vary.