Easy Dessert Cookie Bars Recipe
Sometimes you want the deliciousness of cookies without the fuss of baking individual pieces. Easy Dessert Cookie Bars are the perfect solution—chewy, buttery, and packed with chocolate chips or your favorite mix-ins. These bars are simple to make, quick to bake, and perfect for sharing at parties, potlucks, or just enjoying at home. With a golden crust and soft, gooey center, they satisfy every cookie craving in a convenient bar form.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is simple, customizable, and irresistibly delicious. The chewy texture and buttery flavor make it a crowd-pleaser every time. You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or candies to suit your preferences. Perfect for kids and adults alike, it’s a go-to dessert that’s both easy to prepare and fun to serve.
- Quick and Simple: Prep and bake in under an hour with minimal cleanup.
- Customizable: Add chocolate chips, nuts, or candy for your favorite flavors.
- Perfect for Sharing: Easy to slice and serve at parties or gatherings.
- Kid-Friendly: Chewy, soft, and irresistible for kids and adults alike.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
While indulgent, these cookie bars can be enjoyed responsibly. Each serving provides energy from carbs and fats, with a small protein boost from eggs. Understanding the nutritional breakdown helps you portion appropriately for snacks, dessert, or sharing at events. You can also make minor ingredient swaps for lighter versions without sacrificing flavor.
- Calories: ~220
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 2g
Note: Nutrition varies depending on ingredients and portion size.
Time Breakdown
Despite feeling like a decadent treat, these bars are quick to make. Active prep takes only about 10 minutes, while baking and cooling bring the total time under an hour. This makes them ideal for weeknight baking, last-minute desserts, or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 25–30 minutes
- Cooling Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients are simple, pantry-friendly, and easy to work with. Butter, sugars, eggs, flour, and chocolate chips form the base, while optional mix-ins allow for customization. Using basic ingredients makes this recipe approachable for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips or mix-ins (nuts, candies, or white chocolate chips)
Condensed Grocery Checklist
Shopping for this recipe is straightforward and efficient. A handful of staple ingredients are all that’s needed to make a crowd-pleasing dessert. Having everything on hand ensures smooth preparation and stress-free baking.
- Butter (unsalted)
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda and salt
- Chocolate chips or favorite mix-ins
How to Make – Step by Step
The method is simple and beginner-friendly. From mixing wet and dry ingredients to folding in mix-ins and baking, each step is easy to follow. Careful execution ensures perfectly chewy, soft bars every time.
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until fully combined.
- Fold in mix-ins: Gently mix in chocolate chips, nuts, or candy.
- Bake: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and slice: Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares or rectangles.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
This recipe is highly versatile and allows for endless creativity. Swap flour for a gluten-free blend, or try coconut sugar or maple syrup as alternative sweeteners. Mix-ins such as nuts, dried fruits, or candy add unique flavors, while spices like cinnamon or espresso powder deepen the taste.
- Flour: Use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blend for alternative options.
- Sweeteners: Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup (adjust moisture accordingly).
- Mix-ins: Nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter chips, or M&Ms create endless variations.
- Flavor: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or espresso powder for extra depth.
Serving Suggestions
Cookie bars are ideal for snacking, dessert, or gifting. Serve warm with a glass of milk or top with ice cream for a decadent treat. Individually wrapped bars are perfect for lunchboxes or as party favors.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Pair with milk, coffee, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
- Wrap individually for lunchbox desserts or party favors.
Storing Tips
Proper storage keeps bars soft, chewy, and flavorful. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days or freeze for longer storage. Reheat briefly in the microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze in portions for up to 3 months and thaw before serving.
- Reheat briefly in the microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
Chef’s Special Tips
Small techniques can make a big difference in texture and flavor. Melted butter gives chewy bars, while softened butter yields a slightly cake-like texture. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft center, and use a spatula to lift bars cleanly from the pan. Customize mix-ins but keep total volume consistent for even baking.
- Melted butter gives a chewy texture, while softened butter results in a cake-like bar.
- Don’t overbake—bars continue to cook slightly as they cool.
- Use a spatula to lift bars from the pan cleanly after cooling to maintain edges.
- Customize mix-ins but keep the total amount around 2 cups to ensure proper texture.
Conclusion
Easy Dessert Cookie Bars are the ultimate no-fuss treat for any occasion. Chewy, soft, and customizable, they satisfy cookie cravings in a convenient bar form. Try this recipe today and enjoy a batch of warm, homemade cookie bars in under an hour.