Ingredients
For the Cookie Bar Base
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (320g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or mixed)
- 1 cup peanut butter chips or caramel chips (optional but delicious)
For the Fudge Topping
- 2 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
- 2 tablespoons butter or heavy cream
- Optional: peanut butter chips for decoration
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough Base
Start by creaming your butter and sugars in a large bowl. Beat until the mixture becomes fluffy, pale, and smooth. This step helps build air into the dough, which is key for achieving a soft but structured cookie bar.
Once the butter mixture is creamy, add the eggs one at a time. Mix until fully incorporated, then add the vanilla extract. This adds aroma and deepens the flavor of your cookie base.
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently. Avoid over-mixing—doing so can make the bars tough instead of soft and crumbly.
Once the dough forms, add the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Fold them in until evenly distributed.
2. Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Spread the cookie dough evenly into the pan. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to press it down evenly. The dough will be quite thick, which is exactly what you want.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden but the center still looks slightly soft. Remember, cookie bars continue to firm up as they cool. Removing them early ensures that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
3. Add the Fudge Topping
While the bars are still hot, sprinkle the 2 cups of chocolate chips evenly over the top. Allow them to sit for 5 minutes until they begin to melt. Once melted, use a spatula to gently spread the chocolate across the surface to create a thick, glossy fudge layer.
For an extra touch of flavor and color, sprinkle peanut butter chips or caramel chips over the chocolate before it sets.
Let the bars cool completely before cutting. If you want cleaner slices, chill the tray for 20 minutes after cooling.
Serving Suggestions
These cookie bars are already rich and perfect on their own, but you can elevate them even further:
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Drizzle with caramel sauce
- Sprinkle with sea salt for a salted-chocolate finish
- Add chopped nuts into the dough for crunch
- Use dark chocolate for a more intense flavor
This is the kind of recipe you can customize endlessly.
Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
- Refrigerate for a firmer texture
- Freeze up to 2 months (wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn)
You can also freeze individual squares for quick snacks.