Description
These friendly cookie dough bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that everyone will love. Combining a soft, buttery base packed with brown and granulated sugar, mini chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk, these bars bake to golden perfection with a chewy center and slightly crisp edges. Perfect for sharing, they’re simple to prepare and bake in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough Bars Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper baking temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removing the bars easier after baking.
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and airy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key for a tender texture.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt until they are fully incorporated, enhancing the overall flavor of the bars.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix to avoid a tough texture in the bars; just combine until no flour streaks remain.
- Fold in Chocolate and Condensed Milk: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and the sweetened condensed milk. This adds sweetness and moisture to the bars, making them rich and chewy.
- Transfer and Spread Dough: Pour the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out to flatten for even baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and the center feels firm to the touch but not hard, indicating a perfectly cooked center.
- Cool in Pan: Allow the bars to cool in the baking pan for about 30 minutes so they set up, making them easier to handle.
- Remove and Cool Completely: Using the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into squares to serve.
Notes
- For cleaner slices, chill the bars in the refrigerator after they have cooled to room temperature before cutting.
- You can substitute mini chocolate chips with chopped nuts or other mix-ins for variations.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Do not overbake to maintain a chewy texture; remove when edges are golden and center is just set.
