Oh, get ready, because these gooey chocolate chip cookie bars are about to become your absolute go-to dessert! Seriously, they’re ridiculously easy to whip up, and that super gooey, chewy texture? Pure magic. I remember the first time I made these for a potluck – I barely got them out of the pan before people were raving about them. It’s that perfect balance of buttery sweetness and melty chocolate that just makes everyone happy. They’re so good, my kids practically inhale them, and honestly, so do I!
Why You’ll Love These Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Honestly, these gooey chocolate chip cookie bars are a total game-changer. They hit that sweet spot of being incredibly delicious without any fuss. You get that classic chocolate chip cookie flavor we all adore, but in a super convenient bar form. Plus, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser – whether it’s a birthday party, a bake sale, or just a Tuesday treat, everyone goes wild for them. And the texture? Oh, the texture is just divine – soft, chewy, and perfectly gooey!
Quick and Easy Preparation of Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Seriously, the best part about these bars is how ridiculously simple they are. You can have them mixed up and ready for the oven in about 15 minutes flat. No fancy equipment, no complicated steps, just pure, unadulterated cookie bar goodness that even a total beginner can nail.
Unbeatable Gooey Texture in Every Bite
The secret to that amazing gooeyness lies in the right balance of ingredients and, trust me, a little bit of masterful underbaking. When you bite into these, you get that perfect chewy center that just melts in your mouth. It’s that satisfying, slightly underdone cookie vibe that makes them so irresistible.
Gather Your Ingredients for Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Alright, let’s get our game face on and gather everything we need for these amazing gooey chocolate chip cookie bars! It’s pretty straightforward, and having everything measured out makes the whole process a breeze. You’ll want to make sure your butter is nice and soft – that’s key for getting that fluffy texture when we cream it with the sugars. And don’t skimp on the brown sugar; that packed light brown sugar is what gives these bars their signature chewiness and deep flavor. Oh, and if you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans with the chocolate chips!
Essential Baking Ingredients
First up, we need the building blocks for these delicious bars. You’ll want one cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter, softened just right. Then, grab your sugars: a cup and a half of good old granulated sugar and another cup and a half of packed light brown sugar. For the dry stuff, we’re using three cups of all-purpose flour, one teaspoon of baking soda for that little lift, and half a teaspoon of salt to balance everything out.
Flavor and Texture Enhancers
Now for the magic makers! We need three large eggs – make sure they’re large, it really makes a difference in texture. A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract is a must; it just rounds out all those flavors. And of course, the star of the show: two whole cups of chocolate chips! You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even a mix. Whatever makes your heart sing!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Alright, let’s get these amazing gooey chocolate chip cookie bars into the oven! It’s a super simple process, honestly. The most important thing is to just follow along and not overthink it. You’ve got this!
Preparing the Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get our oven preheated to 350°F (that’s 175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your 9×13 inch baking pan. Give it a good grease and then a light flouring. This just makes sure our gorgeous bars slide right out when they’re done. No one wants a stuck-on mess!
Creating the Cookie Bar Dough
Now for the fun part: making the dough! In a big bowl, you’ll want to cream together that softened butter and both the granulated and brown sugars. Beat them until they’re nice and fluffy – think light and airy. Then, one by one, beat in your three large eggs. Don’t forget to stir in that teaspoon of vanilla extract; it adds such a lovely warmth. In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing *just* until everything is combined. Seriously, don’t overmix here; we want that tender texture, not tough bars!
Incorporating the Chocolate Chips
Okay, this is where the magic really happens! Gently fold in those two cups of chocolate chips. Make sure they’re distributed evenly throughout the dough. You want a little bit of chocolatey goodness in every single bite. Give it a gentle stir until they’re pretty much everywhere.
Baking and Cooling Your Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Now, spread that delicious dough evenly into your prepared pan. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be golden brown, and when you poke a toothpick into the center, it should come out with moist crumbs attached – not wet batter, but definitely not dry! The most crucial step? Let them cool COMPLETELY in the pan before you even think about cutting them. Trust me, this is key for getting those perfect, gooey bars!
Tips for Perfect Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Okay, so you’ve got your amazing gooey chocolate chip cookie bars in the oven, but let’s talk about making them absolutely *perfect*. A little trick I’ve learned over the years is that sometimes, a tiny bit of underbaking is your best friend for that ultimate gooey texture. And don’t be afraid to play around with add-ins; it’s what makes baking so much fun!
Achieving Maximum Gooeyness
For that extra gooey factor, I sometimes pull these bars out of the oven just a minute or two earlier than the recipe suggests. You want the edges to look golden and set, but the center should still look a little soft. That residual heat will do the rest as they cool!
Variations and Add-ins
Feel free to go wild with the chocolate! I love using a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips, but dark chocolate chunks are also amazing. And yes, nuts are a fantastic addition! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch that contrasts beautifully with the gooey cookie base.
Serving and Storing Your Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These gooey chocolate chip cookie bars are pretty amazing all on their own, but they’re even better served slightly warm, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! And if, by some miracle, you have leftovers, storing them is super simple.
Best Ways to Serve
Honestly, they’re perfect just as they are! But if you want to go next level, a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is pure bliss.
Storing Leftover Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Once they’ve cooled completely, just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully gooey and delicious at room temperature for about 3 days. I find they’re actually even better on day two!
Frequently Asked Questions About Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Got questions about these amazing gooey chocolate chip cookie bars? I’ve got answers!
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for two cups of chocolate chips, feel free to mix and match. Semi-sweet is classic, but milk chocolate chips make them even sweeter and goo-er. Dark chocolate chunks add a nice bit of bitterness to balance the sweetness. You can even use white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile!
How do I know when the Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are done baking?
This is key for that gooey texture! You’re looking for the edges to be lightly golden brown and set. When you insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out with moist crumbs sticking to it. If it comes out completely clean, they might be a little overbaked. If it’s still wet batter, give them a few more minutes.
Can I make these Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars ahead of time?
Yes, you totally can! Once they’ve cooled completely in the pan, just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re actually pretty fantastic on day two, and sometimes that slight cooling makes them even gummier and more delicious. They should stay fresh for about 3 days like this.
Nutritional Estimate for Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
While everyone’s baking turns out a little differently, here’s a general idea of what you’re looking at per bar. This is just an estimate, of course! We’re talking around 250 calories, with about 14g of fat (8g of that being saturated), 30g of carbs, and 25g of sugar. Plus a little bit of protein and fiber. Perfect for satisfying that sweet craving!
Print
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: 1 Magic Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously gooey chocolate chip cookie bars, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For extra gooeyness, slightly underbake the bars.
- You can add nuts like walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips.
- Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: gooey chocolate chip cookie bars, chocolate chip bars, easy cookie bars, dessert bars, chewy cookies