Description
Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars baked in one pan for an easy, fuss-free treat. Packed with melty chocolate chips, made with melted butter and brown sugar for extra softness, and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet-salty balance.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons (¾ cup) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
- Optional flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan and press a few extra chocolate chips on top. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt, if desired.
- Bake for 30–34 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before lifting out and cutting into squares.
Notes
- Do not over-bake; the bars continue to set as they cool.
- Brown sugar helps keep the bars soft and chewy for days.
- Use cornstarch for added softness and thickness.
- Press extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a bakery-style look.
- Store at room temperature up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–34 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
