Recipe Background
Classic cookie bars deliver rich, buttery flavor with perfect chewiness.
These classic cookie bars are like a warm hug. When you take that first bite, you notice the buttery richness balanced by a hint of vanilla. Each mouthful offers a delightful chewiness, complemented by the occasional crunch of nuts or the soft melt of chocolate. The texture— a harmonious blend of tender and crisp—makes it nearly impossible to stop at just one.
While making these bars, you'll be enveloped by the aroma of caramelized sugar and melted chocolate, a scent that pulls everyone into the kitchen. One key tip for the perfect batch: press the reserved chocolate chips onto the dough just before baking. This simple step ensures that chocolate crowns each piece, delivering an extra burst of flavor.
Share these with family or friends, and watch them vanish from the table. They're perfect for gatherings, simple weeknight treats, or even a nostalgic weekend indulgence. The bars embody an uncomplicated joy in baking and sharing, bringing comfort with every irresistible bite.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups nuts of your choice, optional, coarsely chopped (if not using nuts, double the amount of chocolate chips)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper and aluminum foil with an overhang on two sides.
- In a small bowl, stir the flour, the baking soda, and the salt together.
- In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the butter, the sugar, the brown sugar, and the vanilla together until creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter mixture, mixing well between each addition.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until combined. The dough should be very thick.
- Add the chocolate chips and the nuts, optionally reserving about 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips for the top, and mix on low speed until combined in the dough.
- Press or spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Press the reserved chocolate chips onto the top of the dough.
- Bake until the top is golden-brown and the edges are set, about 20-25 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes, and optimally until completely cool.
- Slice and serve.
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