Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in a 9x13 Pan

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars removed from a 9x13 pan and cut into 24 squares laying flat on parchment paper on a cookie drying rack.

5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in a 9x13 Pan

These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in a 9x13 Pan are chewy, chocolatey, and super easy to make with pantry staples. It’s a classic dessert that feeds a crowd, and it’s my go-to kids’ dessert for parties and get-togethers.

Prep Time10

Cook Time26

Total Time36

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: bars

Calories: 286kcal

Author: Lauren Skardal

Ingredients

1 cup butter, room temperature 226g (2 sticks)
1 cup dark brown sugar 213g
½ cup granulated sugar 99g
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¾ cups all-purpose unbleached flour 385g
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips + ½ cup for topping 340g + 85g

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Butter a 9x13-inch metal baking dish and line with parchment paper so that the parchment paper overhangs the long edges of the baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine the room temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. This can be done with a hand mixer, stand mixer, or by hand.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract and combine.
Add the baking powder, baking soda, and salt and combine. Add the flour and combine. Do not overmix.
Add 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and mix until just combined (the remaining half cup will be added to the top in the next step).
Press the dough into the parchment-lined 9x13 pan. Sprinkle the top with an additional ½ cup of chocolate chips.
Bake at 325°F for 26-28 minutes.
For more gooey cookies, bake for 26 minutes. For cookies that are more well-baked throughout, bake for 28 minutes. Look for the edges to be golden brown and the center to look set.
Remove and allow to cool in the pan.
Slide a butter knife gently around the short edges of the pan. Pick up the cookie bars using the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 24 squares.

Notes

Parchment Paper: Line the baking dish with parchment paper. This allows you to pull the entire sheet of bars out of the dish and then cut them cleanly and evenly on a cutting board. It also helps you to plate them on a serving dish if you are serving them at a party or get-together.
Oven Temperature: Preheat the oven to 325°F for 30 minutes prior to baking. Ovens do not always display the correct temperature, and sometimes they indicate that they have fully preheated when they are still not at the set temperature. Having a separately purchased oven thermometer can help you verify the oven’s actual temperature.
Ceramic Baking Dish: If you are using a ceramic baking dish, you will need to extend your baking time by 5-10 minutes.
Measuring Flour: For the best results, weigh your flour in grams. I use a conversion of 140 grams per cup of flour. There is no universal method for weighing flour using measuring cups, and depending on your method, you may be off by as much as ¼ cup. If you do not have a kitchen scale, use the dip-and-sweep method to measure flour.
Pressing the Dough into the 9x13 Dish: Here's a little trick to make this easier. Place your hand inside a plastic sandwich bag and press and flatten the dough with your hand in the bag. That keeps your hands clean of dough and makes it a lot easier than using the back of a spoon.
Additional Chocolate Chips: Adding extra chocolate chips makes the cookie bars look even more enticing. Note that one small bag of chocolate chips is 2 cups, so plan ahead if you need extra for topping the bars. You can also top the bars with M&Ms. This is also a great step for kids to get involved in. They love to sprinkle extra chocolate chips or M&Ms on top (and sneak a few while they’re at it).
Allow to Cool: Allow the cookie bars to mostly cool before removing them from the baking dish so they don’t fall apart as you transfer them to a cutting board. Though if you just can't wait, you can cut them carefully in the baking dish (careful not to damage the baking dish) and serve while still warm. Or you can try your hand at moving them while still warm (careful!).

Nutrition