Chocolate Chip Bars

If you love the taste of homemade chocolate chip cookies but don’t want the hassle of scooping individual dough balls, these chocolate chip bars are your answer! With a buttery, chewy texture and plenty of melty chocolate chips, this recipe gives you all the classic cookie flavor—only in a quick and easy bar form.

These bars are perfect for school lunches, bake sales, or just an afternoon treat with a tall glass of milk. The best part? They’re made in one pan and cut into squares, so you can have dessert ready with hardly any effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy – No need to scoop dough or bake multiple trays. Just press it into the pan and bake once!
• Chewy and buttery – The perfect texture of a cookie in bar form.
• Family favorite – These bars disappear fast. Everyone from kids to grandparents will ask for “just one more.”
• Simple ingredients – You probably already have everything on hand in your pantry.
• Perfect for sharing – Makes a big batch that can easily be cut into 24–48 bars.

Ingredients

Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Butter – Softened butter adds rich flavor and helps create that chewy cookie texture.
• Brown sugar – Adds moisture, chewiness, and a hint of caramel flavor.
• Vanilla extract – Brings out the sweetness and adds warmth.
• All-purpose flour – The base of the dough that holds everything together.
• Semisweet chocolate chips – The star of the recipe! Melty and sweet, they balance the buttery dough perfectly.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Bars

Step 1: Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 375°F so it’s ready for baking.

Step 2: Mix wet ingredients
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together granulated sugar, brown sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and the egg until smooth and fluffy.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients
Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. The dough will be thick and stiff at this stage.

Step 4: Stir in chocolate chips
Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 5: Press into pan
Spread the dough evenly into an ungreased 9×13-inch pan, pressing it into the corners.

Step 6: Bake
Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. The center may look slightly underdone, but it will firm up as it cools.

Step 7: Cool and cut
Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into bars. Depending on your preferred size, you’ll get anywhere from 24 to 48 pieces.

How to Store

• Room temperature – Store bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.
• Freezer – Wrap cooled bars individually and freeze in a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Tips for Success

• For extra chewy bars, don’t overbake. Pull them out when they’re just golden brown on top.
• Use softened butter at room temperature for the best mixing results.
• Try mixing in half milk chocolate and half semisweet chocolate chips for variety.
• Line your pan with parchment paper if you want to easily lift the bars out for slicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
You can, but the flavor won’t be as rich. Butter gives the best results for these bars.

Do I need to grease the pan?
No, this recipe doesn’t require greasing the pan, though you can line with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Can I add nuts?
Absolutely! Walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch to these cookie bars.

Why does the center look underdone when I take it out?
That’s normal! The bars continue to set as they cool, so don’t overbake them or they’ll lose their chewy texture.

More Dessert Recipes

• Homemade Granola Bars
• Lemon Bars Recipe {Gluten Free}
• Brownie Cookies
• Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
• Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5-star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you!