Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine the classic flavors of a chocolate chip cookie with the ease of a bar dessert. Soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips, they’re perfect for sharing or enjoying anytime you crave a sweet treat.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, softened
• ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
• ¾ cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet, milk, or mix)
• Optional: Flaky Sea Salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars until creamy and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
7. Step 7: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. If desired, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top for a salty-sweet contrast.
8. Step 8: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Step 9: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra gooeyness, underbake the bars slightly by checking them a few minutes earlier.
• Try mixing in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture.
• Use a combination of chocolate chips and chunks for varied melting textures.
• Store leftover bars with a slice of bread to keep them soft and moist.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to restore their gooey texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to ½ teaspoon or omit it entirely to prevent the bars from becoming too salty.

How do I make these bars dairy-free?

Substitute the butter with an equal amount of dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the recipe vegan and dairy-free.

Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 59 reviews

These Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars offer all the classic flavors of traditional chocolate chip cookies but with an irresistibly soft and gooey texture, making them perfect for sharing or enjoying as a comforting treat.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, softened
• ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
• ¾ cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Add-ins

• 2 cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet, milk, or mix)
• Optional: Flaky Sea Salt

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated, then add the pure vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined to avoid overmixing.
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough with a spatula.
7. Transfer and Spread: Pour the dough into the prepared baking pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the surface.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center still looks slightly underbaked for that gooey texture.
9. Cool and Serve: Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then optionally sprinkle with flaky sea salt before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

• Room temperature eggs help achieve a smoother batter.
• Do not overbake to maintain gooey centers.
• Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges.
• Flaky sea salt adds a nice balance to the sweetness.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: chocolate chip cookie bars, gooey cookie bars, chocolate chip dessert, easy cookie bars, homemade cookie bars