If you’re a lover of soft, indulgent treats that combine the best of classic cookies and convenient bars, you are absolutely going to adore this Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe. It’s the ultimate answer when you want all the melty chocolate goodness and buttery richness of a cookie but with the ease of slicing and sharing. These bars highlight a perfectly tender center that stays deliciously gooey, while the edges crisp just enough to provide that wonderful contrast every cookie fan craves. Trust me, once you bake this recipe, it will quickly become your go-to sweet fix for gatherings, snacks, or a cozy night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that irresistible golden color.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, melted and slightly cooled): Provides rich flavor and moistness, essential for that soft, tender crumb.
- Light brown sugar (1 1/4 cups, packed): Adds deep caramel notes and helps keep the bars chewy.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Balances sweetness and aids in creating a slightly crisp edge.
- Large eggs (2, room temperature): Bind everything together while contributing to the chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): A warm, aromatic flavor booster that brings out the best in chocolate.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The structure builder, ensuring the bars hold their shape without being tough.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps lift the dough slightly for a soft, light bite.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works with the brown sugar to enhance browning and texture.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors overall.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups): The star ingredient that keeps these bars extra gooey and chocolate-packed.
How to Make Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out effortlessly once they’ve cooled. This simple step ensures cleanup is a breeze and your bars maintain their perfect shape.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter with both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until completely smooth and combined. The silky mixture should look a little glossy. Next, crack in the eggs and pour in the vanilla extract, mixing everything until fully incorporated. This blend of sugars and butter is what gives these cookie bars their signature chew and flavor depth.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This little squad is responsible for helping the bars rise just enough and develop a tender crumb without becoming cakey or dense.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. You want just enough blending for everything to come together. Then fold in the chocolate chips gently but thoroughly so every bite will be dotted with pockets of melty chocolate.
Step 5: Bake and Cool to Perfection
Spread the cookie dough evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top to create an even layer. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes until you see the edges set and turn a lovely light golden color, but the center still looks soft and slightly underbaked. This is the secret to keeping that luscious gooey texture inside. Let the bars cool completely in the pan; slicing too soon can upset that perfect balance of textures.
How to Serve Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
These cookie bars are divine on their own, but feel free to sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. For a flavor pop, add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking — it enhances the chocolate beautifully without overpowering the sweetness.
Side Dishes
If you want to turn these bars into a more indulgent treat, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop with freshly whipped cream. A warm mug of milk or coffee pairs effortlessly, balancing sweetness and bringing out those toasty butter notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice these bars into different shapes like small bite-sized squares for a party platter or thick rectangles to serve as dessert bars at potlucks. For a fun twist, sandwich two bars around a generous spread of peanut butter or your favorite frosting to create dessert “cookies” with twice the gooey goodness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, you can store your gooey chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed well helps maintain their soft texture while preventing any drying out.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature while still wrapped to preserve moisture before slicing and serving.
Reheating
To revive that warm, melty charm, pop a bar in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or place it briefly in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This tiny bit of warmth will bring back the gooey center and soften the edges just right.
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic, but feel free to experiment with milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Mixing in some chunks adds interesting texture too.
Is it okay to substitute melted butter with softened butter?
For this Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe, melted butter helps create the chewy texture and even mixing, so it’s best not to substitute with softened butter. The melted form integrates better with sugars and eggs for consistent results.
How do I know when the bars are baked perfectly?
The key is to watch for edges that are set and turning a light golden color while the center looks slightly underbaked and soft. Overbaking will dry them out, so use a gentle eye test rather than relying solely on time.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Yes! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even shredded coconut can be folded into the dough right along with the chocolate chips for delicious variation and added crunch.
What if I don’t have parchment paper?
If parchment paper is not on hand, greasing the pan very well with butter or non-stick spray will work, but it might make removing the bars a little trickier. Using parchment ensures cleaner edges and easy lifting.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly satisfying about baking a sheet of these Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe and filling your home with that irresistible aroma of warm, buttery chocolate. This recipe is simple enough for any day, yet special enough to impress guests or brighten a tough afternoon. I encourage you to give it a try and experience the perfect harmony of textures and flavors that will keep you coming back for just one more gooey bite.
Print
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars offer a perfect blend of crispy edges and a soft, chewy center loaded with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips. Easy to prepare and ideal for dessert or snacking, these bars bake up quickly and deliver all the comforting flavors of classic chocolate chip cookies in a convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring some overhang on the sides for easy removal of the cookie bars later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is smooth and combined. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Spread and Bake: Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan using a spatula. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden but the center still appears soft and slightly underbaked for optimal gooeyness.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Slice into 16 bars for serving to preserve their soft, gooey texture.
Notes
- Avoid overbaking to maintain the gooey soft center of the bars.
- For extra richness and texture, substitute 1/2 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with chocolate chunks.
- Using room temperature eggs helps achieve a smoother batter and better texture.
- Make sure to slightly cool the melted butter before mixing with sugars to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
