Thick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Nut-free option, Soy-free option

These cookie bars are thick, chewy and loaded with chocolate. The best part? You only need ten ingredients to make these doughy, melt-in-your-mouth bars. We love keeping a stash in the fridge for when we’re craving something sweet—they are great served warm or cold!

Thick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a delightful and indulgent treat that brings all the classic flavors of chocolate chip cookies into a convenient, bar-shaped form. These bars are beloved by both kids and adults for their chewy texture and rich, buttery taste. They strike the perfect balance between the crispy edge and the soft, gooey center, making them a satisfying dessert or snack option.

One of the advantages of making cookie bars is that they are quick and easy to prepare compared to individual cookies. You simply press the cookie dough into a baking pan, eliminating the need for portioning and shaping individual cookies. This makes them a great option for busy bakers or those looking for a hassle-free dessert.

The combination of brown and granulated sugar adds a lovely caramelized flavor to the bars, while the abundance of chocolate chips ensures that every bite is filled with pockets of melted chocolate. Whether served warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoyed as a standalone treat, Thick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are an irresistible, comforting indulgence that satisfies sweet cravings like no other.

PREP TIME: 25 minutes

COOK TIME: 30 minutes

YIELD: 16 bars

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled or weighed)
• 1½ tsp (7 g) baking soda
• 2 tsp (5 g) cornstarch
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks [227 g]) vegan butter (nut-free and/or soy-free if needed)
• 1 cup (220 g) packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) nondairy milk (nut-free and/or soy-free if needed)
• 1½ tsp (7 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1¾ cups (294 g) vegan semisweet chocolate chips (soy-free if needed)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8-inch (20-cm) square cake pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
3. Using the microwave or the stovetop over low heat, partially melt the butter so that it’s about halfway melted. Pour into a large bowl and whisk until it has a thick liquid consistency.
4. Whisk in the brown sugar and granulated sugar, then add the milk and vanilla.
5. Add the flour mixture and mix again until incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just crumbs.
8. Remove from the oven, allow to cool, then slice into 16 bars.

TIPS:

1. Properly Measure Your Flour: Use the spoon-and-level method to measure flour. Don’t scoop the flour directly from the container with the measuring cup, as it can lead to too much flour in your recipe. Instead, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge.
2. Partially Melt the Butter: Partially melting the vegan butter ensures that it’s in a semi-liquid state, making it easier to mix into the dough. This step helps achieve the desired texture of the bars.
3. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your vegan butter, milk, and eggs (if using an egg substitute) are at room temperature. This helps with proper mixing and results in a more consistent texture.
4. Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the cookie dough can lead to tougher bars. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Once you add the flour mixture, mix until no streaks of flour remain.
5. Use Quality Chocolate Chips: The type of chocolate chips you use can greatly affect the flavor of your bars. High-quality vegan semisweet chocolate chips will result in a richer, more satisfying taste.
6. Line the Pan with Parchment Paper: Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan once they’re done, which facilitates slicing.
7. Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This allows them to set properly and ensures clean, neat slices.
8. Variations: Feel free to get creative by adding nuts, coconut flakes, or other mix-ins that you enjoy to the cookie dough for extra texture and flavor.