Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Chip Bars

Irresistibly soft and chewy cookie bars packed with melty chocolate chips and a buttery, golden crust—perfect for sharing at any occasion.

I first baked these cookie bars for a family gathering and they were gone within minutes due to their irresistible gooeyness.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 1/4 cups (250 g) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups (340 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• Optional 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

Easily spray or drizzle oil for roasting vegetables, air frying, sautéing, and dressing salads with controlled coverage.

Check price on Amazon

Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper leaving a slight overhang for easy removal.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Combine Wet Ingredients:

In a large bowl mix the melted butter brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.

Add Eggs and Vanilla:

Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Fold Dry Ingredients:

Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined do not overmix.

Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts:

Gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using).

Spread Dough:

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan smoothing the top with a spatula.

Bake:

Bake for 23&ndash28 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is just set (do not overbake for gooey bars).

Cool and Cut:

Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool lift out and cut into bars.

Easily spray or drizzle oil for roasting vegetables, air frying, sautéing, and dressing salads with controlled coverage.

Check price on Amazon

Easily spray or drizzle oil for roasting vegetables, air frying, sautéing, and dressing salads with controlled coverage.

Check price on Amazon

Save

These cookie bars quickly became a family favorite, especially enjoyed during weekend gatherings and celebrations.

Required Tools

9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan mixing bowls whisk spatula parchment paper wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) eggs milk (butter chocolate) and may contain tree nuts if added. Always check chocolate chips and other packaged ingredients for possible allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per bar based on 16 servings without nuts calories 295 total fat 15 g carbohydrates 39 g protein 3 g

Save

Keeps sponges and brushes organized beside the sink, making dishwashing and post-cooking cleanup faster and neater.

Check price on Amazon

Enjoy these cookie bars fresh and slightly warm for the best gooey experience.

Recipe Q&A

→ How do I achieve gooey chocolate chip bars?

Underbake slightly and allow bars to cool in the pan to set, preserving a soft, gooey texture.

→ Can I substitute nuts in these bars?

Yes, chopped walnuts or pecans can be added for crunch, or omitted entirely for a smooth texture.

→ What type of chocolate chips works best?

Semisweet chips provide balanced sweetness, but milk, dark, or white chocolate chips can be used for variation.

→ How to store the bars for freshness?

Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

→ Can these bars be made vegan or dairy-free?

Substitute butter with plant-based alternatives and eggs with flaxseed or chia seed mixtures for vegan adaptations.

→ What is the best pan size for baking?

A 9x13-inch baking pan allows even baking and proper thickness for these bars.