Introduction:
Chocolate chip cookies are a timeless treat, but sometimes you crave the same delicious flavor with less work. Enter chocolate chip cookie bars! These chewy, gooey bars bring all the irresistible qualities of classic chocolate chip cookies but in a faster, less fussy form. Whether you’re making them for a casual get-together or a sweet after-dinner treat, these cookie bars are a hit with everyone. Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, these bars will quickly become a go-to dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients:
1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
1 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
2 large Eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup Chopped Nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the bars from sticking.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This should take about 2 minutes with an electric mixer.
Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Add the Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and any chopped nuts you’re using. Ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Spread the Dough in the Pan: Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly in the pan, pressing it down lightly.
Bake the Bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with a few moist crumbs).
Cool and Slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice them into squares or rectangles.
Tips for Serving and Storing:
Serving: Serve these cookie bars as they are, or for an extra indulgent treat, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The gooey texture of the bars pairs perfectly with the ice cream!
Storage: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to stay extra fresh, you can also freeze them. Just wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat for Softness: If your cookie bars have firmed up too much after storing, you can reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds to restore their soft, chewy texture.
Variants:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Add 1/2 cup of peanut butter to the dough for a creamy, nutty twist that complements the chocolate chips perfectly.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Mix in 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats to give these bars an extra chewy texture and a wholesome feel.
M&M Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Instead of or in addition to chocolate chips, use colorful M&M’s to add a fun and festive touch to your cookie bars.
Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: For a richer chocolate flavor, substitute half of the flour with cocoa powder (about 1 cup) and use dark chocolate chips for an extra deep chocolatey taste.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Swap the butter for vegan butter and the eggs for flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water = 1 egg). Use dairy-free chocolate chips for a fully vegan treat.
FAQ:
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