Oh, let me tell you, I absolutely adore Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars! These sweet little squares are like a dream come true for anyone who loves the creamy, buttery goodness of cookie dough but wants a treat that’s a bit more refined. You see, growing up, we always snuck bites of the raw cookie dough when making cookies – don’t pretend you haven’t done it! This recipe brings that nostalgic experience into a perfect bar form. It’s like enjoying a cookie without having to bake it—the best of both worlds!
Every time I make these bars, it takes me back to family gatherings where we would make cookies together, rolling dough and chatting about the day. It was a tradition that filled our kitchen with laughter and sugary goodness. Plus, let’s face it, who can resist the combination of chocolate and cookie dough? These bars are not only delicious, but they also make for a fantastic, crowd-pleasing dessert for parties, potluck events, or just a cozy night in with a movie!
What’s in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars?
All-purpose flour: The backbone of any cookie dough. I recommend using unbleached flour for a bit of extra flavor.
Baking soda: This little ingredient helps our bars rise ever so slightly, making them tender.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best so you can control the amount of salt. The added richness is fabulous.
Brown sugar: This gives the dough that lovely chewy texture and deep, caramel flavor. Use light or dark, depending on your preference!
Granulated sugar: Just a touch to balance the flavors and sweetness. Trust me, it’s needed!
Vanilla extract: A must-have for that warm, aromatic flavor which makes the dough taste irresistibly homemade.
Chocolate chips: The star of the show! I love using semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for that perfect melty goodness.
Sweetened condensed milk: This is the magic that makes the filling creamy and dreamy!
Sprinkles (optional): Just to add some extra fun and color if you’re feeling festive!
Is Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Good for You?
Well, let’s not kid ourselves here—these bars are a delightful indulgence rather than a health food! However, they do offer a few small perks.
Butter: While it’s high in fat, butter offers vitamins A and D and is a source of energy. Moderation is key!
Chocolate chips: Dark chocolate, in particular, can provide antioxidants and may even boost heart health—so there’s that! Just don’t go overboard.
On the flip side, bear in mind these bars are also high in sugar and calories, so they’re best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a daily snack.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup brown sugar, packed
– ½ cup granulated sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
– 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
– Optional: Sprinkles for topping
This recipe will serve about 12 generous bars—perfect for sharing!
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars?
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some paper to hang over the edges for easy removal.
2. In a bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour and baking soda together. Set it aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until it’s nice and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
5. Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined—don’t overmix! You want your bars to be tender.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour half of the dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
7. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the layer of dough, spreading it out evenly.
8. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the sweetened condensed milk layer. It doesn’t have to be perfect; you can leave some gaps for the filling to be visible.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The center will still be a little soft—it’ll firm up as it cools!
10. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before using the parchment to lift them out. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Bars of Deliciousness: Tips and Variations!
Here are some ideas to jazz up your bars!
– **Nutty Flavor**: Feel free to toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans for a little crunch.
– **Cookie Dough Swirl**: Before pouring the condensed milk, swirl some extra cookie dough throughout for a fun texture.
– **Flavor Variations**: Try adding in butterscotch chips or white chocolate for a different spin!
– **Chill Before Serving**: These bars are spectacular chilled. Just pop them in the fridge for about an hour for a refreshing treat!
I can’t wait for you to try these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars! They are such a fantastic treat to share with friends or enjoy all by yourself—no judgment here! Please let me know how yours turn out; I’d love to hear your thoughts and any fun variations you come up with! Happy baking!
