This easy recipe for Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars is the perfect mix between cookie & brownie – A crisp, chewy, chocolate lover’s dream.
I’ll let you in on a little secret – When I bake for my family (and not for all of you), I quite often go for cookie bars because they are so easy to make.
Why This Recipe Works
- The use of both granulated sugar and brown sugar gives these cookie bars their chewy center.
- The use of both melted chocolate and cocoa powder makes these bars extra chocolatey and indulgent.
This is a family favorite. This and my Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. I started making them when I realized how easy it was to make drop cookies into cookie bars.
How to Turn A Cookie Recipe Into A Bar
To make a cookie recipe into a bar recipe, just make the cookie dough according to the recipe, and instead of making it into cookies, just spread it into a pan and bake (no need to chill the dough). It’s that simple.
This method works best with drop cookies. I’ve tried it with my Peanut Butter Cookies, my Chocolate Chip Cookies, my Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, and this recipe is made from my Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.
The size of the pan you use depends on the recipe. A good rule of thumb is a recipe that makes 18-24 cookies will fit in an 8×8 inch pan, and 36 to 42 will fit in a 9×13 inch pan.
How to make Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Start with melting chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave until just melted (for more information on how to melt chocolate properly, see my guide on How to Melt Chocolate). Set aside.
Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine well, followed by the melted chocolate.
Mix to combine, mix in the dry ingredients, and fold in the chocolate chips.
Spread the dough into a greased pan and bake.
How to Know When Cookie Bars Are Done Baking
To test if a pan of cookie bars are done baking, cook according to the recipe and then gently shake the pan. If the dough jiggles in the center, they need more time. Put them back in the oven for five more minutes and test again. Once set, they’re ready to come out of the oven.
Allow to cool before cutting.
Once cool, cut into squares.
Serve and enjoy!
Baker’s Tips
- Don’t overmix the dough – once you add the flour, mix the dough by hand. This will keep the chewy center. Overmixing will result in a more cake-like texture.
- Be sure to preheat the oven. This will ensure an even bake.
- For a gooey center, take the bars out of the oven when they still have a slight jiggle when you shake the pan.
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Let's Make Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips melted
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg large
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C
- Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking pan.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup of dark chocolate chips on medium power in 30-second intervals until just melted. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add melted chocolate and mix until combined.
- Add egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine well.
- Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt mix until blended
- Stir in remaining cup of chocolate chips.
- Spread the dough into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, give the pan a little shake. If it jiggles in the middle, put the pan back in and try again every 5 minutes until there is no longer any jiggle.
- Allow to cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Tips + Notes
- Don't overmix the dough - once you add the flour, mix the dough by hand. This will keep the chewy center. Overmixing will result in a more cake-like texture.
- Be sure to preheat the oven. This will ensure an even bake.
- For a gooey center, take the bars out of the oven when they still have a slight jiggle when you shake the pan.
Nutrition Information:
Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in 2014, but was published again in 2018 to include step by step directions, nutritional information, new photos, and a video.
AJ says
Hey Ms. Hart,
I tried out this recipe, but I added the butter to the chocolate chips at the start instead of beating it, and the consistency turned out really thick. I think it’s because of the butter, but I don’t know. I’m going to give it a 5 star rating because the recipe was really well explained.
Thanks,
Baking At 11.
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you AJ, sounds like you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Erren Hart says
Just out of curiosity AJ, are you baking at 11 years old or baking at 11PM? 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe anyway!
AJ says
I really did enjoy the recipe, and it turned out really good. And I’m an 11-year old homeschool chef.
Erren Hart says
I’m very impressed! I started cooking when I was ten; although I didn’t bake until high school. My son is close to your age and has zero interest in either. Keep it up and please leave more feedback if you try any more recipes! 🙂
Marcia says
Great recipe! Mine were a little over done, that was just my oven. next time I will cook them 1-2 minutes left. i doubled the recipe and cooked them in a metal 9×13 pan. Everyone loved them. Plus, one of my guests has a dairy allergy and i used Country Crock plant butter and Enjoy Life dairy free chocolate chips. Delicious! Thank you for a great recipe.
Erren's Kitchen says
That’s great Marcia, I’m glad you were able to use a substitute to make this for your guest! 🙂
Stepha says
I’m excited to try this but I have a question I use country crock butter is that an okay butter option ?
Erren Hart says
It’s really hard to say as I’ve never baked with a product like that. I’d say as it’s not a cookie and you don’t have to worry about them spreading too much, it may work, but it will change the texture. Let me know if you try it!
Carla says
This is the best batch of brownies I have ever made, or tasted. Absolutely delicious. I am not admitting the calorie count to anyone. But for a special treat, just yum!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Erren Hart says
They are my husband’s absolute favorite! So glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
Denise Brooks says
Do you have this recipe that accommodates a 9×13 pan? I would need more. Thank you!
Erren Hart says
Hi Denise, Just double the recipe.
Sharmila Patel says
OMG, these are the best. I was not sure when I saw the consistency but after they baked they were simply amaaaazing. Thank you so much for sharing, I am now going to try more of your recipes.
Erren's Kitchen says
That is so good to hear Sharmila! Touch base when you have tried some others!
Brenda says
Oh my, I was so looking forward to eating these double chocolate cookie bars! So, I followed your instructions and tips exactly. Imagine my utter astonishment and dismay when I cut a piece to taste….. the bar just completely fell apart!!!!! They had cooled for 20 minutes. But I went ahead and tasted them. Very, very dry!!! I love to bake and try new recipes, but there is something drastically wrong with this recipe. And now I feel guilty wasting premium ingredients……😞
Erren's Kitchen says
I am sorry it didn’t work out for you, I can’t really tell you where it went wrong as I wasn’t there when you were baking them, I haven’t had this problem anywhere else though. This could be due to the ingredients (where you brought them from) could be different, or slightly overbaked? Sometimes baking something again you may see where it went wrong.
Brenda says
I used an 8×8 glass pan. Should the oven temperature be lowered for the glass pan? If so, what about the cooking time? Thank you for your response!!
Janice says
The rule I follow is 25 degrees less for a glass pan.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I love cookie bars! This recipe is definitely going on my “to make, and soon” list!
Erren's Kitchen says
I love that my recipe made your list, Patricia!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These would disappear in our house! These are just so adorable!!
Erren's Kitchen says
I know, I never see leftovers either Erin!
Taylor says
I need one of these in my life right now! They are a chocolate lover’s dream!
Erren's Kitchen says
I need to make more, they are my dream too haha!