Description
These easy chocolate chip cookie bars are everything you adore about classic chocolate chip cookies, but in a wonderfully convenient bar form. Imagine a chewy, decadent base studded with melty pockets of chocolate, all without the fuss of scooping and chilling dough.
Ingredients
2¼ cups all-purpose flour ((270g))
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly (170g))
1 cup packed light brown sugar ((220g))
2/3 cup granulated sugar ((133g))
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided (360g))
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350F and fully line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt, then set aside.
Combine the melted butter and both sugars in a large bowl, whisking for about 30 seconds until a thick slurry forms.
Add the room temperature eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture and whisk well for approximately 1 minute.
Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture with a silicone spatula until just combined, reserving about 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips before mixing the rest into the dough.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, leaving some texture on top, and sprinkle with the reserved chocolate chips.
Bake until the edges are golden brown and set, and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs, which typically takes 35-55 minutes depending on desired chewiness. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about an hour before cutting.
Notes
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, stir only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to tougher bars.
Know Your Oven: Baking times can vary significantly between ovens. Keep an eye on your bars starting around the 35-minute mark and adjust as needed. The toothpick test is your best friend here.
Cooling is Crucial: I cannot stress this enough – let them cool in the pan for at least an hour! This is non-negotiable for beautiful, sliceable bars.
Parchment Paper Power: Using parchment paper that hangs over the sides of the pan makes lifting the entire baked slab out so much easier, and clean-up a breeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A