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    Home » Cookies » Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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    Chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic Chocolate Chip Cookies that take half the prep time (no scooping cookie dough here!). They are soft and chewy, have perfect crisp edges and a gooey center, and are loaded with chocolate chips.

    This one bowl cookie bar recipe comes together in just 10 minutes with a handful of baking pantry staples before ready to bake. It's the easiest way to bake cookies ever. Plus, it's easy to make ahead and freezer-friendly too!

    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    Why You’ll Love Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    • A twist on classic chocolate chip cookies. These chocolate chip cookie bars have everything you would want in a chocolate chip cookie — soft and chewy centers with the perfect crispy edges. Plus, these cookie bars are thicker than your average cookie making the centers extra gooey and delicious. So so good.
    • It's a quick one bowl recipe. All you need to make easy chocolate chip cookie bars is 10 minutes of prep, one bowl, and a few basic baking ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Then pop them into the oven for 30 minutes before they're ready to eat. Try them once and these may very well become your go to when you need to satisfy a late night sugar craving.
    • Cookie bars are easier to make than cookies. Baking cookies is always fun, especially when you get the kids involved. But, it does take a little more prep work to scoop out each cookie or to roll our cookies and cut them. With lazy cookie bars, there is no need to shape them or bring out extra cookie trays to bake in batches. All you need is to transfer the cookie dough to a 8-inch square baking pan, then and slice.
    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    To make these easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):

    • butter - make sure to use softened butter, otherwise it won’t cream properly with the sugar and the cookie bars won’t have that classic chocolate chip cookie texture.
    • sugar - both light brown sugar and granulated sugar are required in these cookie bars.
    • egg
    • all-purpose flour
    • baking soda
    • salt
    • chocolate chips - I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, but feel free to use your favorite kind. You can also use mini chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.

    Equipment

    You will also need:

    • measuring cups and spoons
    • mixing bowl
    • hand mixer or stand mixer
    • 8-inch square baking pan
    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    1. Make the cookie dough. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer cream together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, and beat on low until incorporated. Add flour, baking soda, and salt and beat until just combined. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the chocolate chips (for the top). Fold in the rest.
    • Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Transfer to baking pan. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray oil and line it with a piece of parchment paper, allowing the overhang to come off the 2 sides. Spread the cookie dough onto the lined pan. Press in the remaining chocolate chips on top.
    2. Bake. Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cookie dough may not look completely done in the middle, but they will continue to cook as they are cooling.
    3. Serve. Allow it to cool completely in the pan. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to pull them out. Slice into 16 pieces and serve.
    • Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Serve

    Enjoy these soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars warm right out of the oven with a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream, and dig in with a spoon. Or allow them to cool down a bit and slice up and enjoy over the next few days or weeks to come (depending on how you store them). Plus, you can quickly reheat them in the microwave and enjoy warm any time you want.

    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    Storing and Freezing Instructions

    • How to store: Store easy chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Eat within 4 days if stored at room temperature, and within 7 days if stored in the fridge.
    • How to freeze: You can also freeze chocolate cookie bars for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely first, then slice and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. To thaw, leave them in the fridge overnight.
    • Make ahead instructions: You can make the chocolate chip cookie dough up to 2-3 days in advance. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap when storing. When ready to bake, allow the dough to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes) before spreading onto the prepared baking pan.
    • How to freeze cookie dough: You can also freeze the cookie dough by rolling it into a ball and wrapping tightly in plastic cling wrap and placing inside a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, allow the cookie dough to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and allow it to come to room temperature before baking, according to recipe instructions.
    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    Recipe FAQ and Tips

    How can I make thinner cookie bars?

    Spread the cookie batter into a lined quarter sheet baking pan or 9x13-inch pan to make thinner mini egg cookie bars. You will need to shorten the cook time though, so keep an eye on the cookies at the 15-20 minute mark.

    Can I add nuts or other substitutions?

    Absolutely! If you are feeling creative, you can add in nuts, substitute the chocolate chip for white chocolate chips or M&M's.

    Can I make a bigger batch?

    Yes, you can simply double the recipe and spread the cookie dough into a 9x13-inch baking pan, and instead of baking for 30-35 minutes, bake for 35-45 minutes.

    More Bar Recipes

    • M&M Cookie Bars
    • Fudgy Brownies
    • Pecan Pie Bars
    • Easter Blondies
    • Mini Egg Cookie Bars
    • Flourless Banana Brownies

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 16 cookie bars
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time.


    Ingredients

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
    • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 + ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup chocolate chips, divided

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 325F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray oil and line it with a piece of parchment paper, allowing the overhang to come off the 2 sides. Set aside.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer cream together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
    3. Add egg and vanilla, and beat on low until incorporated. Add flour, baking soda, and salt and beat until just combined. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the chocolate chips for the top. Fold in the rest.Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com
    4. Spread the cookie dough onto the lined pan. Press in the remaining chocolate chips on top.Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com
    5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cookie dough may not look completely done in the middle, but they will continue to cook as they are cooling.Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com
    6. Allow the cookies to cool completely in the pan. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to pull them out. Slice into 16 pieces and serve.Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com

    Notes

    How to store: Store chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Eat within 4 days if stored at room temperature, and within 7 days if stored in the fridge.

    How to freeze: You can also freeze chocolate cookie bars for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely first, then slice and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. To thaw, leave them in the fridge overnight.

    Make ahead instructions: You can make the chocolate chip cookie dough up to 2-3 days in advance. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap when storing. When ready to bake, allow the dough to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes) before spreading onto the prepared baking pan.

    How to freeze cookie dough: You can also freeze the cookie dough by rolling it into a ball and wrapping tightly in plastic cling wrap and placing inside a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, allow the cookie dough to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and allow it to come to room temperature before baking, according to recipe instructions.

    How to serve a crowd: You can double this recipe to serve more people easily. Just substitute the pan for a rectangular 9x13-inch baking pan, and instead of baking for 30-35 minutes, bake for 35-45 minutes.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars are a quick, easy, and lazy version of classic chocolate chip cookies that take half the prep time. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
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    Comments

    1. Kathleen Callahan says

      June 19, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      These Chocolate-Chip Cookie Bars were delightful to eat and so easy to make. I was pleased to see the recipe can easily be doubled. Yum!

      Reply

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