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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt - 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, for a delightful crunch) To make these melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookie bars, you need simple yet essential ingredients. First, unsalted butter creates a rich base. Use brown sugar for moisture and sweetness. Granulated sugar adds a nice crunch. With eggs and vanilla, you get a delightful flavor. Next, you need all-purpose flour, which gives the bars structure. Baking soda helps them rise and become soft. Sea salt balances sweetness and enhances flavor. Finally, the chocolate chips bring that gooey goodness. If you like a bit of crunch, toss in some chopped walnuts. Gather these ingredients before starting. This way, you’ll have everything ready to go. You’ll enjoy the process and the tasty results! {{ingredient_image_2}} Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9x13-inch baking pan. Lightly grease it with butter or use parchment paper. This helps the cookie bars come out easily. In a large mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of softened butter with 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until it looks light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Now, add 2 large eggs, one at a time, to the butter-sugar mix. Beat well after each egg. Next, pour in 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract and mix it until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix! Add 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough. If you like, add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts for some crunch. Gently fold these into the dough until evenly mixed. Transfer the cookie dough into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden edges and check with a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs. Once baked, let the cookie bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully remove them and place them on a wire rack to cool completely. After they cool, cut them into squares or rectangles. Enjoy this melt-in-your-mouth treat! Creaming the butter and sugars is key. You want the mix to be light and fluffy. This step helps to trap air, which makes the cookie bars rise. Use softened, unsalted butter for the best results. Beat the butter with both sugars for about 2-3 minutes. The color should lighten as you mix. This shows you’ve done it right. You need to be gentle when mixing wet and dry ingredients. After you add the flour, baking soda, and salt, mix just until combined. Over-mixing can make the cookie bars tough. Use a spatula or wooden spoon. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts carefully. This keeps the dough soft and chewy. Checking doneness is simple. Bake your bars for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden edges. Insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. If you see wet batter, they need more time. Remember, they will continue to cook a bit after you take them out. This helps keep them soft and delicious. Pro Tips Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature for better incorporation and a smoother dough. Don’t Overmix: Mix the dry ingredients into the wet just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookie bars. Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to check for doneness; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Storage Tips: Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer shelf life. {{image_4}} To make these cookie bars nut-free, simply skip the walnuts. This change keeps the bars soft and tasty without any crunch. You still get the melt-in-your-mouth goodness from the chocolate. If you want a bit more texture, try adding oats. Just use 1/2 cup of rolled oats in place of the walnuts. This keeps it nut-free and adds a nice chew. You can change up the chocolate in these bars! Use any type you like. For a sweeter taste, use milk chocolate chips. Dark chocolate gives a deeper flavor and is less sweet. If you want something creamy, go for white chocolate chips. Feel free to mix different types of chocolate too. This way, you create your own unique flavor blend. Want to add a twist? You can mix in spices or extracts. A touch of cinnamon gives warmth and a hint of spice. Try adding 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough. Almond extract adds a rich flavor. Use 1 teaspoon instead of vanilla. You can even add a pinch of sea salt for extra depth. These small changes can make your cookie bars even more special! To keep your cookie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. This keeps them soft and tasty. If you prefer a crispy edge, store them uncovered. To freeze your cookie bars, let them cool completely. Cut them into squares before freezing. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag or container. Thaw them at room temperature for about one hour, or microwave for a few seconds. These cookie bars stay fresh for up to one week at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, they can last about two weeks. Freezing extends their life to about three months. Enjoy them whenever you want a sweet treat! Yes, you can use margarine in place of butter. Margarine works well in baking. It adds moisture and fat to your cookie bars. However, the taste may change slightly. Butter gives a rich flavor that many love. If you want the best taste, stick with real butter. To check if your cookie bars are done, look for golden edges. The center should look slightly soft. A toothpick test works well. Insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are ready. If it has wet batter, bake a bit longer. To cut cookie bars without crumbling, let them cool first. After cooling for about 10 minutes, turn them out onto a wire rack. Use a sharp knife to slice them. Make clean cuts to avoid breaking the bars. A ruler can help you get even squares if you want. This blog post covered a delicious cookie bar recipe. We discussed every step, from gathering ingredients to storage tips. Remember, the key is to cream your butter and sugars well for the best texture. You can also try different types of chocolate or add spices for fun. Store cookie bars properly to keep them fresh. I hope you find joy in baking these treats. With practice, you’ll master them and impress your friends and family! Happy baking!

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Deliciously soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars that melt in your mouth.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 2 granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 2 fine sea salt
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 2 chopped walnuts (optional, for a delightful crunch)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan by greasing it lightly with butter or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal of the cookie bars.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and sea salt until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to over-mix.
  • Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and walnuts (if using) until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, and use a spatula to spread it out evenly, smoothing the top to create an even layer.
  • Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter).
  • Once baked, allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully remove them from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once cooled, cut the cookie bars into squares or rectangles for serving, enjoying their melt-in-your-mouth goodness!

Notes

Serve the cookie bars on a decorative platter. For an elegant finish, dust them lightly with powdered sugar. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!
Keyword chocolate chip, cookie bars, dessert