Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Chocolate chip cookie bars are an easy way to get that great chocolate chip cookie taste in and easier to make form! Whip them up in no time at all.

Chocolate chip cookies bars are a delicious treat that serves many while requiring less effort than a traditional chocolate chip cookie.

With a soft and gooey cookie bar, you can satisfy your cookie cravings and cut a pan to serve as many people as you want (perfect for a potluck gathering).

This chocolate chip cookie bar recipe is a quick and easy one to follow! Perfect for if you’ve never made a cookie bar before and want to try something new or are a little crunched for time and in need of a dessert, like now.

So many people love to serve cookie bars (like these easy chocolate chip cookie bars) with frosting over the top instead of a cake for an event.

Adding little frosting rosettes and some writing can instantly kick this cookie bar up a notch and turn it into a birthday, anniversary, or holiday “cake.” 

But I’ll be honest here, you don’t NEED a reason to make chocolate chip cookie bars. None. If you want a chocolate chip cookie, that’s good enough of a reason for me!

You can even cut serving pieces, wrap them up and then stash them away in the freezer for later. They make great treats in the lunch bag or when you have a chocolate craving.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Preheat your oven to 375ºF.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt together. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix the butter and the sugars together until they are combined well. Note tht whipping them together will create a cake-like cookie, just mixing until combined will create a gooey cookie. (I usually go for gooey). 
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add in the vanilla and the water.
• Gradually add in the dry ingredients, paying attention to the dough consistency. The dough should be slightly sticky when touched. You may need to add a little extra flour or leave a little bit out (see note below).
• Fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed. Don’t forget that you can always add more if you like extra chocolate!
• Line a standard sized cookie sheet with parchment paper and then press the dough evenly onto the tray.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are a golden brown and the top all the way across the cookie is also a light golden brown.
• Let the cookie cool before slicing.

Note: The amount of flour you use is going to vary depending on where you live and the weather, etc. The dough for these cookies should be slightly sticky but not dry or overly gooey. You may need to adjust based on your particular situation.

How do you know when cookie bars are done?

If you choose to make your cookie bar more cake-like then you’ll want to test the center with a toothpick. If it can come out clean with maybe a few crumbs, then you’re good to go.

If you want a gooey cookie bar, look for a dull top that leaves a small imprint that remains after you lightly touch it with your finger. If you fear the cookie is too soft to remove from the pan, just let it rest on the cookie sheet a few minutes to harden up.

What is a bar cookie?

A cookie bar is like a giant cookie. It usually comes out more dense than a traditional cake or cookie and can be cut and served in square (or rectangle) shaped pieces.