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This chocolate chip cookie bars recipe is our family’s go-to Sunday night dessert! It’s your favorite cookie in bar-form, perfect with ice cream!

Chocolate chip cookie bars recipe on a sheet of parchment paper.
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Over the years, we’ve come to find some go-to desserts for family gatherings and these cookie bars are at the top of the list!

We’ve decided you really can’t beat Chocolate Chip Cookies in bar form. You get all the delicious flavor of your favorite cookie, but it’s ready in only one batch! Our kids especially love whipping these up for family game nights. There are plenty of crispy edges to enjoy and enough gooey centers to make everyone happy.

We often serve them with Vanilla Ice Cream, and I can safely say EVERYONE in the family loves them.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Just mix and bake. These are so simple and classic, we make them all the time.
  • For cookie lovers. If you love cookies, then you will love these in bar form.
  • Great for gatherings. We love to make these for parties, holidays like Easter and Christmas and family outings because they feed a crowd!
Flour measured on a kitchen counter.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted or salted butter
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted – see How to Measure Flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt Reduce or omit if using salted butter.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ cups chocolate chips  milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Or try dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, M&Ms, toffee bits, flaky sea salt, or chopped nuts (peanuts, pecans, or walnuts).
  1. PREP. Begin by greasing a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and setting it aside or Line the Pan with Parchment Paper.
  2. BATTER. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups brown sugar, ¾ cup butter, 2 eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix well with a wooden spoon or a mixer on the lowest setting.
    • Gradually add 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon baking soda. Stir until well combined and pour into the prepared baking dish.
  3. BAKE. Sprinkle with 1½ cups chocolate chips and bake for 24–28 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting.
    • The bars will have a slightly dull surface and the edges of the crust should also begin to harden and slightly pull away from the surface of the baking dish.
    • If the center is undercooked, return them to bake in the oven immediately and check them for doneness at 5 minute intervals.
  4. SERVE. Serve warm and eat by themselves or with ice cream.
Cookie bars recipe cut up in a white baking dish.

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4.93 from 90 votes

Cookie Bars Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This chocolate chip cookie bars recipe is our family's go-to Sunday night dessert! It's your favorite cookie in bar-form, perfect with ice cream!
Servings: 15
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • cups chocolate chips, semisweet or milk

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
  • Gradually add flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Stir until well combined and pour into the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with chocolate chips and bake for 24–28 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting.

Video

Notes

The bars are done when they have a slightly dull surface and the edges of the crust should also begin to harden and slightly pull away from the surface of the baking dish. If the center is undercooked, return them to bake in the oven immediately and check them for doneness at 5-minute intervals.
Store the dough wrapped in plastic and refrigerate for 1-2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw, if needed, press into the pan and bake.
Store cookie bars in an airtight container for 3-4 days or in a freezer Ziploc for 2-3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 354kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 204mg, Potassium: 95mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 356IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Store the cookie dough?

The dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for 1-2 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw, if needed, press into the pan and bake.

How to store cookie bars?

Cookie bars can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days or in a freezer Ziploc for 2-3 months

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.93 from 90 votes (39 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




252 Comments

  1. Susan says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! They were a big hit, especially with my grandchildren, ages 10 & 8.
    I followed the recipe exactly with no problem.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for sharing! I’m so happy your grandkids enjoyed them too!

  2. Natalia Homestead says:

    5 stars
    I Googled “Friday night easy desserts,” and this was one of the top results – and I know why! Took no time to prep and bake, and they are deeeelish! No modifications needed. The family loves them & they’ll likely be gone before the end of the weekend. Thanks for sharing! ☺️

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so glad you enjoyed the cookie bars. They are a favorite over here too!

  3. Julie says:

    I added walnuts!!!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Perfect! Hopefully, you liked them!

  4. Benni says:

    3 stars
    I love these cookies, but I got them from somebody else on Pinterest. One glaring mistake you made was that you omitted adding the butter. I sincerely hope nobody ended up with a flour-y, horrible cookie because of that error. Please fix it so others can enjoy this as much as my family does. Also, I mix the chips in with the dough at the last moment & I think it’s much better than sprinkling them on top. Mixing them in the dough creates a chewy brownie-type cookie. Thanks for the recipe. It’s awesome. But please re-write it so nobody forgets the butter that may be cooling across the kitchen & forgot about it. It can happen.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you like them. The butter is there is in the recipe 🙂 They would be horrible without it!

  5. Alycis says:

    5 stars
    Love these bars so much. Great for potluck!

  6. Tasha says:

    5 stars
    This is one of the best and easiest desserts. We love it so much that I usually double it. I can’t wait to try it with m&m’s.

  7. Pam says:

    I measured the ingredients exactly except for adding 2/3 cup chocolate chips instead of 1/2 cup. Unfortunately, my bars were flat and too moist. Do you think that was the problem or could it have been my oven temp? They were better at the edges than in the center. Thanks for any tips you can offer!

    1. Pam says:

      I typed the above before realizing that I remembered the amount of chips incorrectly. I did use 3/4 cup. It was a fudge recipe that I made at the same time where I changed the amount of chips. So, I didn’t actually alter the ingredients. I am thinking my oven temp wasn’t hot enough. They taste great, though, even if they are flat. 😊

    2. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am thinking it needed to be in longer. Depending on where I am baking these, the time varies. Hope you will try them again 🙂

  8. Alix says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made this twice now!!! It’s a hit with everyone!!! Yummy

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Woohoo!! Love to hear that!! Thank you!

  9. Natalie says:

    5 stars
    My kids prefer these over cookies. They are thick, soft & chewy, & they make my family happy!

  10. Mary catHerine says:

    5 stars
    These are delicious and so easy. After i made them the first time my family requested them three More times that week. I Sprinkled sea salt on the top when they were done!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      LOL..that’s what I love to hear! Thank you so much!