If you’re craving a dessert that brings all the comfort of freshly baked cookies without fussing over batches, Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the answer to your sweet-tooth prayers! These thick, chewy bars are loaded with melty chocolate chips and have that perfect slightly crisp top you know and love from a classic cookie. Best of all, they come together in just one bowl, making cleanup a breeze and your treat table (or snack plate) deliciously full in under an hour. Whether it’s a last-minute bake sale or a cozy weekend at home, Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars might just become your new go-to dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this simple recipe plays a starring role, ensuring these bars are incredibly flavorful and have that irresistible chewy texture. No fancy techniques or rare ingredients—just basic baking staples working together for maximum deliciousness!
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and gives the bars that crave-worthy moistness without needing a mixer.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create the chewy bite we all love.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and gives the bars structure and lift.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and makes these bars taste truly homemade.
- All-purpose flour: The essential foundation for cookie bar structure—go for the scoop-and-level method for best results.
- Baking powder: Gives the bars just a touch of loft, keeping them from being too dense.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor—don’t skip it!
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The star mix-in: melts to gooey pockets throughout every square, delivering that classic chocolate chip experience.
How to Make Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). For the easiest removal and neatest bars, line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or give it a light coating of nonstick spray. This little step saves your bars from sticking and makes for simple cleanup.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Grab a large bowl—this is a true one-bowl wonder! Whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This helps the sugar dissolve a bit, ensuring beautifully chewy bars.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Pour in the egg and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is fully incorporated. You’ll see the mixture become rich and golden—this is where the classic cookie flavor really starts coming together.
Step 4: Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Next, add the flour, baking powder, and salt straight into the same bowl. Gently stir everything together just until the batter comes together. Be careful not to overmix—you want the bars to stay soft and tender, not tough.
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Add in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, folding them gently so they’re distributed throughout the batter. Each bite should promise at least one gooey chocolate chunk!
Step 6: Bake
Spread the dough evenly in your prepared pan. Pop it in the oven, and bake for 20–25 minutes. Keep an eye out for a golden top and test with a toothpick—look for a few moist crumbs (not raw batter). That’s the chewy sweet spot! Let the bars cool fully in the pan before slicing into squares to get clean edges.
How to Serve Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Garnishes
Give your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars a sprinkle of flaky sea salt before baking for a flavor boost and a pretty finish, or top with a handful of extra chocolate chips as they come out of the oven for some glossy, melted pools on top.
Side Dishes
There’s nothing quite like pairing a warm cookie bar with a cold glass of milk, but for dessert, try serving alongside a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream. The combo of warm, gooey bar and frosty ice cream is next-level comforting!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, stack the bars into a dessert tower, wrap individual squares in parchment for lunchbox treats, or even drizzle the cut bars with homemade chocolate sauce for a showy finish. Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars also make the cutest edible gifts—just wrap them up and watch the smiles.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars soft and chewy by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you want to maintain that fresh-baked texture, tuck a slice of bread in the container to keep them moist.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Place cooled, cut squares in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to two months—just thaw and snack whenever you need a quick homemade treat.
Reheating
If you like your bars warm and gooey, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. The chocolate chips will melt just a little, making them taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Keep an eye on the baking time—start checking around 25 minutes, but it may need up to 30 minutes for perfect Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.
What if I only have dark brown sugar?
Dark brown sugar works just as well! It’ll give the bars a slightly richer, deeper molasses flavor, which is honestly delicious. Your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars might turn out a shade darker, too.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely—feel free to toss in a handful of chopped walnuts, pecans, or even white chocolate chips for a twist. These bars are super flexible and play well with mix-ins. Just keep the total mix-ins to about one cup.
How do I get clean cuts when slicing the bars?
Let the bars cool completely in the pan, then use a sharp knife (wiping it clean between cuts) for the neatest results. If you’re in a hurry, chilling the bars briefly in the fridge can make slicing even easier.
Are these the same as blondies?
They’re similar, but Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars have a higher ratio of brown sugar to butter, making them chewier and more cookie-like than the typical blondie. The gooey chocolate chips set them apart!
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert, you can’t go wrong with Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. They bring all the best parts of a classic cookie, just in bar form—with minimal effort and maximum reward. So go ahead, treat yourself and those around you to a batch. You might just find you have a new favorite!
Print
Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a quick and easy dessert that delivers all the deliciousness of chocolate chip cookies in bar form. With a chewy texture and pockets of melted chocolate, these bars are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and stir until fully combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until the batter comes together—do not overmix.
- Combine chocolate chips: Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and cut: Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For extra texture, sprinkle sea salt or add chopped nuts on top before baking.
- These bars freeze well and are perfect for quick snacks or lunchbox treats.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
