Introduction
Who says delicious desserts need hours of work? These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are proof that amazing flavor can come from a simple recipe! We’re transforming everyday ingredients into a gooey, chocolatey treat that’s perfect for any occasion – from a weeknight family dessert to a casual get-together. Get ready to impress everyone with minimal effort!
Why This Works
These bars are a winner because they’re unbelievably easy to make, requiring no chilling time or fancy techniques. The result? A perfectly chewy, chocolatey cookie bar that satisfies any sweet craving. Plus, they’re easily customizable – more on that later!
Key Ingredients
🍪 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
🍫 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
🧈 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
🍯 ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
🥚 1 large egg
🥛 ½ cup milk
🥄 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🧂 ½ teaspoon baking soda
🧂 ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal later.
2️⃣ Cream Together: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A hand mixer makes this super quick and easy!
3️⃣ Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4️⃣ Incorporate Dry Ingredients: 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. Don’t overmix!
5️⃣ Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips.
6️⃣ Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Don’t overbake or your bars will be dry!
7️⃣ Cool & Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows them to set properly and makes cutting much easier.
Handy Tips
- Use a stand mixer or hand mixer for the creaming step for extra fluffy bars.
- If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can substitute dark brown sugar, but the bars might be a bit darker in color.
- Don’t overbake! Slightly underbaked bars will be chewier.
Heat Control
Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures the bars bake evenly and achieve the perfect chewy texture. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly bars, while underbaking will leave them gooey in the center. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking!
Crunch Factor
These bars have a delightful balance of chewy and slightly crunchy. The edges will be crispier, while the center remains wonderfully soft and chewy.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For extra chocolate flavor, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder along with the dry ingredients.
- Sprinkle a handful of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans) on top before baking for added texture and flavor.
- Use different types of chocolate chips – milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate!
Storage Tips
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also freeze beautifully! Wrap individually portions in plastic wrap then place them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Gift Packaging Ideas
These bars are perfect for gifting! Cut them into smaller squares and wrap them individually in cellophane bags tied with ribbon. You could also place them in a pretty tin or box.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: Add ½ cup of creamy peanut butter to the wet ingredients.
🌟 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip: Stir in ½ cup of rolled oats along with the chocolate chips.
🌟 Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip: Drizzle melted salted caramel over the cooled bars.
🌟 White Chocolate Macadamia Nut: Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips and add ½ cup of chopped macadamia nuts.
Troubleshooting
- Bars are dry: You likely overbaked them. Next time, reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes and check for doneness earlier.
- Bars are gooey in the center: They weren’t baked long enough. Bake for a few more minutes, checking for doneness every couple of minutes.
- Bars are flat: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. Melted butter will prevent the bars from rising properly.
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of sugar? Yes, you can try using granulated sugar, but the brown sugar provides a richer flavor and moisture.
- Can I make these bars ahead of time? Yes, you can bake them a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- How many bars does this recipe make? This recipe makes approximately 16-24 bars, depending on how you cut them.
- Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double this recipe. Just use a larger baking pan.
Conclusion
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Their simple preparation and delicious taste make them perfect for any occasion. Give them a try and don’t forget to share your creations with us on RateMyRecipes! Enjoy!
Easy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Deliciously chewy and soft chocolate chip cookie bars that are easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350u00b0C (175u00b0F) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cut into bars and enjoy!
Tips
- For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep them chewy.