Okay, let’s talk about the absolute best thing to happen to your kitchen: Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! Seriously, forget fussy cookies that spread into weird shapes. These bars are your new best friend. They’re ridiculously easy to whip up – like, “I just threw this together” easy – and they bake up into this divine combination of chewy, gooey centers and those perfect, slightly crisp edges. Every time I make these, my whole house smells like pure happiness, and trust me, they disappear faster than you can say “more chocolate!” They’re basically a hug in dessert form.
Why You’ll Love These Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Honestly, what’s not to love? These bars are a total game-changer for so many reasons:
- Super Easy Prep: You don’t need to be a baking pro for these. Most of the magic happens in one bowl!
- Perfect Texture: We’re talking that dreamy combination of a chewy, gooey center with just a hint of crispiness around the edges. Pure bliss!
- Total Crowd-Pleaser: Bring these to any gathering, and watch them vanish. They’re a guaranteed hit for kids and adults alike.
- Irresistible Gooeyness: That signature gooey center is what makes these Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars so special. They’re just melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for these amazing Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! You’ll need:
- 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter, make sure it’s softened – this is key!
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar (don’t skip packing it in!)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (the good stuff smells amazing!)
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- And of course, 2 cups of your favorite chocolate chips! Milk, semi-sweet, dark – whatever makes your heart sing.
Having everything measured out before you start really makes the process so much smoother. It’s like setting yourself up for success!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
So, why these specific ingredients? Well, the brown sugar is your secret weapon for that incredible chewy texture we’re aiming for. It just adds a depth of flavor and moisture that white sugar can’t quite match. And the butter? It’s the backbone of richness and that lovely tender crumb.
Now, if you need to make some swaps, no worries! For a dairy-free version, you can totally use your favorite dairy-free butter sticks. And feel free to mix up those chocolate chips! Mini chips, chunks, white chocolate, or even a mix of a few different kinds can make these bars even more special. You could even toss in some chopped nuts if you’re feeling adventurous!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Alright, let’s get down to business and make these dreamy Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! It’s really not complicated, I promise. Just follow these steps and you’ll have pure magic happening in your oven.
Preparing Your Pan and Oven
First things first, get that 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 dusting of flour. This little step is super important for making sure our bars don’t stick!
Creating the Cookie Dough Base
Now for the fun part! In a big bowl, you’re going to cream together your softened butter, granulated sugar, and that lovely packed brown sugar. Use an electric mixer if you have one, or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease. You want to beat it until it’s nice and fluffy – think light and airy, like a delicious cloud. Then, crack in your eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Finish this off by stirring in that fragrant vanilla extract. It should look beautifully smooth and creamy.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This just makes sure everything is evenly distributed. Now, gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients in the big bowl. Mix it up until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overmix here! A few little streaks of flour are totally fine; overmixing can make our bars tough, and we want them wonderfully tender.
Adding the Chocolatey Goodness
Time for the star of the show! Gently stir in those glorious chocolate chips. Get them all coated in that yummy dough.
Assembling the Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Okay, take about half of your cookie dough and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. It might be a little sticky, so don’t be afraid to use the back of a spoon or your hands (maybe lightly greased!). Then, take the other half of the dough and spread it evenly over the top layer. Try to get it as smooth as you can.
Baking and Cooling for Perfect Gooeyness
Pop that pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be golden brown, and when you stick a toothpick in the center, it should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached. That’s the secret to that perfect gooeyness! Once they’re out, resist the urge to cut them right away. Let them cool completely in the pan. This is crucial for them to set up properly and get that amazing texture.
Tips for Achieving Perfectly Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Want to make sure your Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are absolutely perfect every single time? I’ve got a couple of tricks up my sleeve! The biggest one? Don’t overbake them! Seriously, pull them out of the oven when the edges are just starting to turn golden and the center still looks a little soft. A toothpick test with moist crumbs is your best friend here – it’s what guarantees that ultimate gooeyness. If you bake them until they’re completely dry, you’ll lose that magic chewiness.
Also, feel free to get creative with mix-ins! Chopped pecans or walnuts are fantastic in these bars for a little crunch. Or maybe some colorful M&Ms for a fun twist? You could even try different kinds of chocolate chips – white chocolate or dark chocolate chunks add a whole new level of deliciousness. Whatever you choose, these bars are super forgiving and always turn out amazing!
Serving and Storing Your Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Once these beauties are completely cooled, it’s time for the best part – enjoying them! They’re absolutely delicious just as they are, maybe with a cold glass of milk. They also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent treat.
Now, if by some miracle you have any leftovers (which I highly doubt!), you’ll want to store them properly to keep that gooey texture. Just pop them into an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They stay wonderfully soft and delicious for up to 3 days. Honestly, though, they usually don’t last that long!
Frequently Asked Questions about Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Got questions about these amazing Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars? I’ve got answers!
Q: How do I make them even gooier?
A: The absolute best way to amp up the gooey factor is to slightly underbake them! Keep a close eye on them and pull them out when the center still looks a little soft and moist crumbs cling to the toothpick. They’ll continue to set up as they cool in the pan, giving you that perfect gooey texture.
Q: Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
A: Oh, absolutely! That’s one of the best things about these easy cookie bars. Feel free to use milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, white chocolate chips, or even a mix of several kinds. Chocolate chunks work great too for bigger pockets of chocolatey goodness!
Q: Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
A: You bet! These bars are super versatile. Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch that contrasts nicely with the chewy cookie. You could also toss in some colorful M&Ms for a fun twist, or even some shredded coconut if you like. Just fold them in with the chocolate chips!
Q: My bars seem a bit dry. What did I do wrong?
A: Usually, dryness comes from overbaking or overmixing the dough. Make sure you’re creaming the butter and sugars properly, and only mix the dry ingredients in until just combined. And definitely pull them out of the oven based on that moist crumb test, not when they look completely dry!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Just so you know, the nutritional info can vary a bit depending on the brands you use and how you portion them out, but here’s a general idea for one of these delicious Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars:
- Calories: Around 250
- Sugar: About 20g
- Sodium: Roughly 100mg
- Fat: Approximately 14g
- Saturated Fat: Around 8g
- Carbohydrates: About 30g
- Protein: Roughly 3g
Remember, these are just estimates to give you a ballpark idea! For more detailed information on baking, you can check out resources on ingredient substitutions.
Print
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: 2 Easy Steps
- Total Time: 45 minutes plus cooling time
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy and delicious gooey chocolate chip cookie bars with a chewy center and crisp edges.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 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, granulated sugar, and brown sugar 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.
- Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Spread the remaining dough evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown 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 or other mix-ins like M&Ms.
- Store 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: 20g
- 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, easy cookie bars, chewy chocolate chip cookies, bar cookies, dessert bars