Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe
If you have a sweet tooth and a love for all things chocolatey, you are going to adore this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe. These bars are the perfect blend of soft, chewy cookie dough infused with lots of melty chocolate chips, topped with just a sprinkle of sea salt for that perfect balance of flavors. Whether you want a treat to impress friends or just indulge yourself, this recipe delivers a heavenly dessert that’s easy to make and utterly irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the key to nailing this recipe. Each component plays an essential role in achieving the perfect taste, texture, and appearance of these cookie dough bars—simple but powerful pantry staples come together to create magic.
- 225 g unsalted butter (softened): Gives a rich, creamy base and keeps the bars tender.
- 150 g light brown sugar: Adds warmth and moisture with a subtle caramel note.
- 75 g granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the slightly crisp edges.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together for structure and softness.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses a fragrant sweetness that enhances the chocolate.
- 270 g plain flour: Provides the structure needed for chewy bars without being cakey.
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda: Helps the bars rise just enough for a tender bite.
- 1 tsp salt: Enhances all flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 350 g semi-sweet chocolate chips: Pack key pockets of melty chocolate throughout the bars.
- 50 g semi-sweet chocolate chips (for topping): Creates a gorgeous, chocolatey crust on top.
- Sprinkle of sea salt: Optional but highly recommended to elevate your Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Tray
Start by heating your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and lining an 8×10-inch baking tray with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your bars come out cleanly and evenly cooked.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, cream the softened butter with both the light brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that delightful tenderness and the slight crisp on the edges.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined. These ingredients add moisture and bring depth of flavor.
Step 4: Fold in Dry Ingredients
Gently fold in the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix—just combine until everything is incorporated for soft, chewy bars.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips
Pour in 350 g of semi-sweet chocolate chips and fold through so they’re evenly sprinkled throughout the cookie dough. These bursts of chocolate will delight every bite.
Step 6: Transfer Dough to Tray
Scoop the dough into your prepared baking tray and spread it out evenly to the edges, flattening the surface to prepare for baking.
Step 7: Top with Extra Chocolate and Bake
Press the remaining 50 g of chocolate chips into the top of your cookie dough. Bake the bars for 20-25 minutes until the edges and top are golden, but the center still has a slight wobble—this ensures a wonderfully gooey texture.
Step 8: Finish with Sea Salt
While the bars are still warm, sprinkle them lightly with sea salt to accentuate the sweetness and chocolate flavor. This final touch is optional but really takes the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe to the next level.
Step 9: Cool Completely Before Serving
Allow the bars to cool fully in the baking tin. This step is important so they set perfectly and slice cleanly without crumbling.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate makes a pretty presentation. For an extra indulgent touch, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is always a winning pairing.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to add freshness and contrast the rich, chocolatey flavors. A hot cup of coffee or milk complements these bars beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your bars into bite-sized squares and skewer them on sticks for fun dessert pops, perfect for parties or sharing. You can also sandwich them with marshmallow fluff or peanut butter for a delightfully gooey treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookie dough bars stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They stay deliciously soft and chewy, making them a perfect grab-and-go snack.
Freezing
Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.
Reheating
Warm individual bars in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven for 5 minutes. The chocolate chips will soften, bringing back that freshly baked experience you love.
FAQs
Can I use dark or milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in your favorite type of chocolate chips. Dark chocolate will add a richer, slightly bitter edge, while milk chocolate will make the bars sweeter and creamier.
Do I need to refrigerate these bars?
It’s not necessary to refrigerate them if you plan to eat them within a few days. Just keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigerating might make them a bit firmer but still tasty.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, you can easily transform this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe to be gluten-free. Just watch the texture as some blends absorb moisture differently.
Why do we add bicarbonate of soda?
Bicarbonate of soda helps the bars rise gently and promotes a tender, chewy texture. It also interacts with the brown sugar to enhance browning and flavor.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely! Just use a larger baking tray or split the batter across two trays. Adjust baking time accordingly and remember to check for that golden edge and slight wobble in the center to know when it’s done.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe is pure joy in bar form—rich, comforting, and loaded with melty chocolate chips. It’s such a crowd-pleaser whether for casual snacking or special occasions. Once you try making these bars, they’ll quickly become a treasured favorite you’ll want to bake again and again.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Description
Delight in these rich and decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars, featuring a soft, buttery base loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect sweet and savory balance. Perfect for satisfying cookie cravings in bar form, these bars combine the classic flavors of chocolate chip cookies with an easy-to-make, shareable treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 225 g unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 150 g light brown sugar
- 75 g granulated sugar
- 270 g plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp salt
Chocolate and Toppings
- 350 g semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 50 g semi-sweet chocolate chips (for topping)
- Sprinkle of sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan. Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line an 8×10″ baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugars. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand whisk or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which creates a tender texture.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Incorporate dry ingredients. Fold in the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt carefully using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula just until combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the bars tender.
- Add chocolate chips. Gently fold in 350 g of semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough for bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- Transfer to prepared tray. Scoop the mixture into the lined baking tray, spreading it evenly to fill the pan fully to the edges for uniform baking.
- Top with extra chocolate chips. Press the remaining 50 g of chocolate chips on top of the dough to give an extra chocolatey crust once baked.
- Bake the bars. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges and top turn golden brown but the center still has a slight wobble, indicating a soft, chewy texture.
- Add sea salt. While the bars are still warm, optionally sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top to enhance the chocolate flavor with a hint of savory contrast.
- Cool completely. Allow the cookie bars to cool fully in the tin so they set properly and can be cut into neat squares for serving.
Notes
- Using softened butter is key for proper creaming with sugars to achieve a light and fluffy dough.
- The slight wobble in the center after baking ensures the bars remain soft and chewy rather than dry and hard.
- Sprinkling sea salt on top is optional but adds a gourmet touch with a flavor contrast.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
