Description
Make soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie bars in one pan for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- optional: sprinkle of flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough paper around the sides to lift the bars out easily. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt together. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Add the egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract. The mixture will be thick.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together until combined. The dough will be soft and slick, yet thick. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and press into an even layer. Lightly sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt, if you want. Press a few extra chocolate chips on top of the dough before baking for appearance.
- Bake for 30-34 minutes or until lightly browned on the sides. Do not over-bake; aim for slightly under-baked. Test for doneness with a toothpick; if it comes out mostly clean from the center, the bars are done.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least one hour. Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment and cut into squares.
- Cover and store leftover bars at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- For a softer bar, err on the side of under-baking. Over-baking results in a dry, cakey texture.
- If you want a cleaner look, press a few extra chocolate chips onto the dough surface before baking.
- You can substitute milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips for semi-sweet.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 34 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Chocolate Chip Dessert Bars, Quick Dessert Recipes, Easy Cookie Recipes, Simple Dessert Recipes, One-Pan Dessert, Soft Cookie Bars, Homemade Desserts