Chocolate chip cookie bars are an easier way to get your cookie fix without having to scoop! Press this soft and chewy dough into an 8×8″ brownie pan and get 12 cookie bars.
Easy chocolate chip cookie bars
I’m calling all lazy cookie bakers with a cookie craving today! If scooping cookie after cookie isn’t your thing, you can just press this dough right into an 8×8 pan! However, if scooping tons of cookies isn’t your thing, I hope you’re at Dessert for Two for small cookie recipes.
Most of my small batch cookie recipes make one dozen cookies or less, which is perfect for a small household, or perfect for gifting to a friend!
For the days when you can’t even scoop 12 cookies, these easy chocolate chip cookie bars are here for you.
Don’t miss my famous small batch chocolate chip cookies, if you do feel like scooping, because I know you will love them!
Chocolate chip cookie bars 8×8
I’m using a standard 8×8 square pan to make these cookie bars, because it’s the same pan you use for brownies. Though here at Dessert for Two, we make brownies for two in bread loaf pans. That’s neither here nor there—all you need to know is a brownie pan is all you need.
Your 8×8 pan can be glass, metal or silicone; this cookie bar recipe will work in any pan! This is the exact pan that I use, because the grooves in the bottom help baked goods release.
How do you keep cookies from sticking to the pan?
Typically, I recommend baking cookies on a silicone mat or piece of parchment paper. For these chocolate chip cookie bars, I recommend lining the pan with aluminum or parchment paper. Be sure to leave excess on the edges to serve as handles to help you remove the cookies from the pan. If you’re using a silicone pan, no need to line it, as silicone is 100% nonstick!
Speaking of silicone pans, I use them a lot for baking my baby food recipes. I also bake my daughter’s favorite chocolate banana muffins in a silicone pan.
Regular or mini chocolate chips?
Ok, this was a tough call for me, because I strongly considered using mini chocolate chips in these cookie bars. The thing about mini chocolate chips is that they permeate the cookie bar, and you end up getting chocolate in every single bite. Sounds incredible, am I right?
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a super chocolatey cookie, and sometimes I’m not—you can use either. When using regular chocolate chips, you get to enjoy more of the chewy, soft cookie dough.
If you’re going to use mini chocolate chips, reduce the quantity by 1/4 cup.
The day I photographed these chocolate chip cookie bars, I used big, fat semi-sweet chocolate chips. They were heavenly, but I’ve also been slipping back into milk chocolate chips lately. Milk chocolate chips are sweeter than semisweet, obviously, and they make cookies taste like childhood to me.
You can use dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips here. If you’re a white chocolate chip fan, have you seen my white chocolate chip cranberry cookies? You will love those, too!
These chocolate chip cookie bars are an easy way to cure your cookie craving with less work! They’re great to make as a teacher appreciate gift or to take to a potluck!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars made in an 8x8 pan.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder* (can use Starbucks Via)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375, and lightly spray a 8x8" brownie pan with cooking spray (or line it with parchment paper or foil, leaving excess on the sides to form handles that help you remove the bars after cooking).
- In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
- Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until combined.
- Next, sprinkle the flour, salt, espresso, baking soda and baking powder on top of the butte mixture.
- Beat until just combined, do not over-mix.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Press the batter into the pan, and bake for 15 minutes. The edges of the cookie should start to brown, but be careful not to overcook, or they'll be too dry.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, and then use the handles to remove the cookies from the pan. Place them on a cooling rack, and let cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
*Instant espresso powder is optional in these cookies, but it really gives a depth of flavor to the chocolate. I almost never bake chocolate chip cookies without espresso powder.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 217Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g
My 4 yr old and I made mini cc cookies on the weekend, but I had to try these cookie bars! Because they are different, right ;) Just tried one and they are delicious! Especially still warm. Another yum recipe of yours for the files! Congrats on babe #2! So exciting!
I made this tonight and unfortunately it didn’t work out at all :( 15 minutes was far too little, it was still unbaked inside. I left it to cool and harden, but it never did. I had to put it back into the oven hours later, at 375 again for another 15 minutes. Very disappointing.
Hi Samantha,
That’s nuts! I make these all the time! I’m making a how-to video for them tomorrow, and maybe that will cover some issues? I’m thinking your oven isn’t as hot as it says it is. Do you have an oven thermometer? What kind of pan are you using?
I do have an oven thermometer, and the oven was at 375. I used a 9″ pie pan with PAM spray. With 30 minutes they were good to go! :)
I’m in the same boat as Samantha. 15 minutes was definitely not enough time.
I loved the flavor of the baked portion, but had the same problem as Samantha. Totally undercooked in the middle. I guess the toothpick test fails for cookie bars! I used a glass 8×8 pan. I will make these again and just plan for a longer bake time. Or try increasing the oven temp.
Loved these! Served them for dessert at a casual dinner party and my guests loved them. I used mini chips and served them with a scoop of ice cream. Will be making these a lot this summer!! Thank you, Christina!
I used Pamela’s All-Purpose Gluten-Free flour with these, and it worked! They were a little crumbly, which is common with GF baking, but they did bake through in 15 minutes. I might use 2 eggs next time.
I ran into the same problem. Put them in for 15 and they were still not cooked after letting them sit for 5 minutes when they got out. Just put them in for another 15 minutes to see if they cook through. Usually I have such good luck with all your recipes.
This is blowing my mind! I think I need to have my oven temp checked. My mom said she added another 5 minutes. I’m wondering if it’s because I let my cookie bars cool in the pan completely, which does carry-over cook the bars?
Oh! Yum!!! These bars are so wonderful. I added an extra 10 minutes baking time. They were perfect.
Just made these and they are amazing! Super comforting and tasty- I think the espresso powder really does make a difference! Funny enough, mine only needed 13 minutes so just goes to show you every oven is different and to check early! Perfect quick birthday treat for a friend (and I may have taken one as quality control).