Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Effortless Indulgence

Chocolate chip cookies are a beloved classic, but sometimes the thought of portioning and baking individual cookies can seem like too much effort. Enter the lazy chocolate chip cookie bar – all the irresistible taste and texture of your favorite cookies, without the hassle. These bars offer the perfect balance of gooey chocolate and buttery, chewy goodness in a simple, crowd-pleasing format.

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Baking homemade cookies from scratch can be a rewarding experience, but it also requires a bit more time and effort than some of us have to spare on a regular basis. That’s where these lazy chocolate chip cookie bars come in – they deliver the same delicious flavor profile as traditional cookies, but with a fraction of the work. Simply press the dough into a baking pan, pop it in the oven, and you have a tray of sumptuous treats ready to enjoy.

Beyond the convenience factor, these bars boast a wonderfully rich and satisfying texture. The edges get perfectly crisp and golden, while the centers stay deliciously soft and fudgy. The generous helping of chocolate chips in every bite ensures that classic chocolate chip cookie flavor in every single morsel.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (256g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups (340g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

The beauty of this lazy chocolate chip cookie bar recipe is that most ingredients are pantry or freezer staples. The combination of buttery, brown sugar-based dough and generous chocolate chips creates the classic, comforting flavor profile that has made chocolate chip cookie recipes perennially popular.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients from Step 2 to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Step 6: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
7. Step 7: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Timing Overview

Compared to traditional chocolate chip cookies, which can take up to an hour to prepare, this lazy chocolate chip cookie bar recipe saves you 20% of your cooking time while delivering similar flavors.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (based on 24 servings):

These lazy chocolate chip cookie bars provide approximately 10% of your daily carbohydrate requirements and 18% of your daily fat needs, making them not just delicious but nutritionally valuable as well.

🌱 Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

These modifications can reduce calories by up to 10% or adapt the recipe for specific dietary needs without compromising the fundamental flavor profile of the lazy chocolate chip cookie bars.

🍴 Perfect Pairings

⚠️ Cooking Pitfalls to Skip

📦 Storage & Leftovers

These lazy chocolate chip cookie bars retain their quality remarkably well:

❓ FAQs

Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be prepared, pressed into the baking pan, and frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed. You can also bake the bars in advance and freeze the fully baked and cooled bars for up to 3 months.

Can I substitute different types of chocolate chips?

Yes, you can use a variety of chocolate chips or chunks in this recipe. Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a combination of different chocolate types will all work well. You can also experiment with other mix-ins like peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or chopped nuts.

Are these cookie bars gluten-free or dairy-free?

The standard recipe is not gluten-free or dairy-free, but you can easily adapt it to accommodate those dietary needs. Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend, and use a plant-based butter substitute and dairy-free chocolate chips to make these bars gluten-free and dairy-free.

Why are my cookie bars crumbly or dry?

Overbaking is the most common culprit for dry, crumbly cookie bars. Be sure to keep a close eye on them in the oven and remove them as soon as the edges are golden brown and the center is just set. You can also try reducing the baking time by a few minutes to prevent over-drying.

Can I add extra mix-ins to the bars?

Absolutely! These lazy chocolate chip cookie bars are highly versatile. Feel free to fold in up to 1 cup of additional mix-ins like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, toffee bits, or even a swirl of peanut butter or Nutella. Just be mindful not to overload the bars, as too many add-ins can affect the overall texture.

🎉 Final Thoughts

These lazy chocolate chip cookie bars represent the perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and presentation. Whether you’re serving them as an easy weeknight dessert or bringing them to a potluck, they’re sure to impress with their rich, indulgent taste and fudgy, chewy texture. The versatility of this recipe allows for countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these chocolate chip cookie bars demonstrate that sophisticated flavors don’t require complicated techniques – just quality ingredients and a little bit of care in the mixing and baking process. So why not give this effortless recipe a try and enjoy the comforting, homemade goodness of classic chocolate chip cookies in a hassle-free format?

Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Effortless Indulgence

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.2/5

⏱️ Timing Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 40-45 minutes

🥘 Ingredients

• 2 cups (256g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups (340g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

📝 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients from Step 2 to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories: 239

Carbohydrates: 32g

Fat: 12g

Fiber: 1g

Sodium: 128mg

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