Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (Printable)
Enjoy thick, chewy bars bursting with gooey chocolate chips and vanilla. A delightful treat for sharing or snacking.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
05 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Add-ins
09 - 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
10 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set the mixture aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
04 - Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully blended, then stir in the vanilla extract.
05 - Gradually fold the reserved dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
06 - Gently stir in the semisweet chocolate chips. If desired, incorporate the chopped walnuts or pecans at this stage.
07 - Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared 9x13-inch baking pan.
08 - Bake for 23 to 27 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center emerges with only a few moist crumbs.
09 - Allow the chocolate chip cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They're incredibly forgiving and simple, perfect even if you're new to baking.
- You get that satisfying soft, chewy, and intensely chocolatey goodness in every single square.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter after adding flour develops gluten too much, leading to tough, cakey bars instead of wonderfully chewy ones.
- Using cold butter or eggs can seize up the batter, preventing that smooth, uniform texture you're after.
03 -
- A tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the top of the dough before baking will beautifully enhance the chocolate's sweetness and complexity.
- For an extra pretty presentation, press a few additional chocolate chips onto the top of the bars immediately after they come out of the oven, while they're still warm and soft.