I know the holidays are all about cookies. But cookie bars? Up the delicious factor by 100.
If I had to pick, chocolate chip cookies are easily one of my all-time favorite foods. And I love cookie bars even more.
You get all the warm, chocolate deliciousness of a cookie, but with a little more gooey, doughy-ness. Not a word, but just trust me.
And if you’re thinking “the last thing I need this holiday season is more dessert,” hear me out.
The holiday season is such a short part of the year. In fact, it makes up less than 5% of the entire year.
It’s to be expected that your diet will look a little differently than usual during this time of year. And it’s perfectly okay.
A few days – or even weeks – truly won’t impact your health much in the long run. Zoom out – it’s your diet on the whole that counts: including those other 50 weeks of the year.
Try to listen to your body this time of the year. Recognize when you’re full, try to eat when you’re hungry. Allow yourself to eat things that sound good but also to eat things that just look good.
If you end up eating a little more dessert than usual, it’s really, truly, okay.
Oh and if you’re reading this not holiday season… same concept applies!
Dessert is delicious and shouldn’t be avoided if you love it. Instead, make it a part of a balanced, varied diet, and it’s absolutely nothing to stress over.
Prep ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Generously grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Mix wet ingredients
In a large bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and combined.
Mix in dry ingredients
Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder to the bowl. Mix until smooth and cohesive.
Fold in chocolate & sprinkles
Fold in the chocolate chunks and sprinkles, reserving some for the top of the bars.
Pour into baking dish
Pour the batter into the baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth it on top. Add extra chocolate chunks and sprinkles to the top of the batter.
Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out only a little wet.
Cool & slice
Let the bars cool fully – they will continue to cook while they cool
Serve
Cut them into slices and serve for the holidays!.
Notes
- Sprinkles: Not making these during holiday season? Use any type of sprinkles you like! Rainbow sprinkles are always a favorite in my house.
- Cooking tips: Make sure to let these bars cool fully before cutting into them. They’ll continue to cook slightly once out of the oven and it’s easiest to cut them once they’re fully cooled, otherwise you risk the middle sinking.
- Add ons: Try a chocolate chip walnut version with chopped walnuts added in or a chocolate chip raisin version if that’s your thing.
- Storage: Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chunks or chips
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Generously grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a large bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and combined.
- Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder to the bowl. Mix until smooth and cohesive.
- Fold in the chocolate chunks and sprinkles, reserving some for the top of the bars.
- Pour the batter into the baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth it on top. Add extra chocolate chunks and sprinkles to the top of the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out only a little wet. Let the bars cool fully – they will continue to cook while they cool – and then cut into slices and serve.
