Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a family favorite dessert recipe! Studded with dark chocolate chips, sweetened with brown sugar, and sprinkled with sea salt, these chewy cookie bars come together quickly and easily.
Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1¼ cups brown sugar
Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix just to combine.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Fold the chocolate chips into the cookie dough.
1½ cups dark chocolate chips
Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cookie bars are fully set in the center.
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool to room temperature in the pan. While the bars are still warm, sprinkle with sea salt flakes if desired. Once the bars have fully cooled, slice and enjoy.
Sea salt flakes
Notes
To prevent the cookie bars from sticking to the pan, line the baking pan with parchment paper before adding the dough. When you're ready to serve, the bars come right out!
For sturdy bars and clean slices, wait for the cookie bars to cool completely before cutting and serving.
Storage: Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.