Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Chewy, gooey yet slightly cakey! These classic chocolate chip cookie bars are absolutely delicious and so easy to make!

Watch me make these chocolate chip cookie bars from start to finish!

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Growing up, Grandma Barb made chocolate chip cookie bars often. Usually, she made them when she needed a dessert for a crowd, like church potlucks.

She’d whip out a big ol pan and cut them into tiny bars. I’d pray that there would be leftovers to bring home, but there never was.

I searched and searched for her recipe because I knew she gave it to me, but strangely it was nowhere to be found. Maybe that’s her way of saying “Get into the kitchen and play, girl!”

So I did just that!  I’ve been making batches and batches of chocolate chip cookie bars all week, trying to replicate the buttery vanilla flavor and chewy, yet slightly cakey texture of her cookie bars.

I remember them being perfectly sweet but not too sweet. They were lightly golden with the chewiest edges and that classic bubbled surface- the tale-tale sign of a soft and chewy cookie!

After several batches of testing, I think this recipe is spot on to hers. It brought back all the feels of childhood and me sneaking into that Tupperware container to steal a few.

We won’t be making a huge batch like Grandma Barb made, but feel free to triple the recipe if needed. They disappear so fast!

What I LOVE about these chocolate chip cookie bars

I love that I can get that chocolate chip cookie fix without the hassle of making lots of individual cookies!  I’ve already got this on my menu for my first family chili cook-off this Fall because I think it would be the perfect one-pan, grab-and-go dessert!

Serve these babies hot out of the oven with vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with caramel and fudge and you’ve got the perfect ending to a meal, let me tell ya!!

I also love how easy it is to change up this recipe to create different flavors. See my customization tips at the end of this post!

Here’s What You’ll Need (Ingredients)

• all-purpose flour
• baking soda
• baking powder
• salt
• cornstarch (Creates a more “cakey” texture)
• butter (salted or unsalted)
• butter-flavored shortening
• light brown sugar
• granulated sugar
• large eggs, room temperature
• pure vanilla extract
• lemon juice (reacts with the baking soda to create a chewier cookie)
• semi-sweet chocolate chips

How to Make Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

(the printable recipe is at the bottom of the post)

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 7×11 jelly roll/brownie pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cornstarch. Set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream together butter, shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar.
4. Mix in eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla extract into the batter.
5. Using a rubber spatula, gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until you have a soft dough.
6. Fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
7. Spoon the cookie dough into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. (I find it easier to use greased hands to spread and pat the dough out)
8. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips onto the surface.
9. Bake on the middle rack for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs clinging to it. (I prefer to underbake it slightly and let it finish cooking as it cools. This creates a super chewy cookie bar)
10. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
11. Lift the cookie bars out of the baking dish and cut into small squares.
12. Once cooled, immediately store in an airtight container. (I usually wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place in an airtight container to keep them fresher longer)

Tip for make the BEST chocolate chip cookie bars 

• Use quality ingredients. Yep, use your best & favorite brands of vanilla extract, butter, chocolate chips, fresh lemon juice and fresh eggs. 
• Don’t over-stir. Once you combine the dry ingredients be careful not to over-stir the batter. This will create dry cookie bars. Stir just until the flour mixture is combined and you have a soft dough.
• Watch the baking time. When the bars are done, they will be golden along the edges and soft in the center. They will continue to cook as they cool. 
• Use a 7×11 pan. This really is the PERFECT size pan for making bars and jelly rolls.

Switch it up!

1. Change up the chocolate chips! Try adding different chocolates like milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips. There are so many different baking morsel flavors, like caramel, mint, coconut, etc. Have fun!
2. Add candy. You could also throw in M&M’s, chocolate chunks, or chopped-up candy bars
3. Add nuts. Walnuts, almonds, pecans, and macadamia nuts are great in this recipe!
4. Get fancy! Sprinkle them with flaky sea salt, and sprinkles, or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel and chocolate syrup for a simple yet, over the top dessert!

Common Questions

• How do I know when these cookie bars are done? When the edges are golden, and the center is almost set, these cookie bars are ready to be removed from the oven. They will be slightly undone in the center but will finish cooking and setting up as it cools.
• How long will these chocolate chip cookie bars stay fresh? These bars will stay fresh and chewy for about three days. After three days, we like to use them to crumble up in ice cream or milkshakes. They will still taste good after 3 days, just not as chewy.
• Can I freeze these cookie bars? You sure can! Once they have cooled, wrap the uncut bar in plastic wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil. Place in an airtight freezer-safe container. You can also freeze the dough to make fresh cookie bars. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough in the fridge overnight.
• Can I use all butter instead of butter-flavor shortening? Yes, you can. The texture will be a bit different though, and the buttery flavor won’t be as pronounced.
• Can I omit the cornstarch? Yes, you can. The cornstarch helps create a tender cookie bar.
• What does lemon juice do in this recipe? Yes you can. The lemon juice helps create a tender cookie.

Looking for more bars & cookie recipes? Try these!

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