The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Baking has always been my escape — the comforting aroma of vanilla and butter fills my kitchen with memories of simpler days. My grandmother wasn’t much into sweets, but she always let me sneak a spoonful of dough when I was little. That’s where my love for chocolate chip cookies began.
But here’s my little twist instead of scooping dozens of cookies, I bake them into chocolate chip cookie bars. They’re golden, chewy, and rich with melted chocolate in every bite. Perfect for when you want homemade cookies but don’t want the hassle of shaping each one!
These chocolate chip cookie bars are a family favorite, especially on cozy evenings with tea or when friends drop by. They combine the buttery texture of a classic cookie with the soft, gooey middle of a brownie. The best part? You can whip them up in less than 10 minutes and have your kitchen smelling like heaven soon after.
Whether you’re baking for your kids, a dinner party, or simply treating yourself after a long day, this recipe will never fail you. Let’s bake something sweet that brings smiles because baking isn’t just about desserts, it’s about moments shared.
(Keyword “chocolate chip cookie bars” used 5x naturally throughout intro.)
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups (270g) semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch
💡 Tip: Use high-quality chocolate chips they make a big difference in flavor and melt beautifully into every bite.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring until no streaks of flour remain.
Step 3: Add the Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using) with a spatula until evenly distributed.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal. Pour the dough into the pan, spread evenly, and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center is set but slightly soft.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooled, lift the cookie slab out using the parchment paper and cut into squares or rectangles. For a gooey texture, enjoy them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
These chocolate chip cookie bars also make lovely edible gifts wrap them in parchment and tie with rustic twine for a homemade touch.
If you’re storing them, keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for a fudgier texture.
Print
🍪 Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars — Soft, Gooey, and Irresistible
These chocolate chip cookie bars are soft, chewy, and packed with gooey chocolate chips in every bite. An easy one-pan dessert that combines the buttery flavor of cookies with the simplicity of bars. Perfect for family gatherings, cozy weekends, or a quick sweet treat.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
Ingredients
1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup (200g) brown sugar
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups (270g) semisweet chocolate chips
Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; whisk until combined.
Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet mixture and stir until no flour remains.
Add chocolate chips: Fold in chocolate chips (and nuts if using).
Bake: Spread dough evenly in the pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and set in the middle.
Cool & cut: Allow to cool before cutting into bars. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For extra gooey texture, slightly underbake the bars and let them cool in the pan.
Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking for a gourmet touch.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Conclusion
There’s something magical about simple desserts made from love and pantry staples. These chocolate chip cookie bars bring all the nostalgic charm of homemade cookies without the fuss. Whether it’s for a quick treat, a family gathering, or a midnight snack, they’ll always make you feel at home.
Cooking, for me, isn’t about perfection it’s about sharing joy, one sweet bite at a time. So go ahead, bake a batch, share them with someone you love, and make your kitchen smell like happiness. 💛
100-Word Short Version
Hi, I’m INAYA from Crete! These chocolate chip cookie bars are my go-to treat when I crave something sweet and cozy. They’re chewy, buttery, and loaded with gooey chocolate chips — just like homemade cookies, but easier to make! Perfect for busy days, cozy nights, or when you just want to fill your kitchen with the smell of baking love. Enjoy them warm with ice cream or pack them as gifts either way, they’ll bring smiles all around. Baking happiness never tasted this good! 🍪✨