Winter is the perfect time for cozy gatherings, and what better way to wow your guests than with chewy cookie bars? These delightful treats are easy to make and promise to fill your home with tantalizing aromas. From festive flavors to rich, decadent toppings, each recipe will leave everyone reaching for seconds! Let’s dive in and discover our top picks.
1. Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Rich, chocolate-filled goodness in every bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Mix butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla in a bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, then fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread the mixture in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Add 1 cup of chopped nuts for added crunch!
2. Peppermint Bark Cookie Bars
A delightful fusion of chocolate and minty freshness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Crushed candy canes for topping
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, then mix in flour and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake for 25 minutes, cool, then drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
Make it Unique:
Substitute dark chocolate chips for a richer taste!
3. Gingerbread Cookie Bars
A festive treat bursting with warm spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Process:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Beat butter and sugar, mix in spices and eggs. Add flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Bake for 30 minutes and cool before icing.
Make it Unique:
Add a cream cheese frosting for a decadent twist!
4. S’mores Cookie Bars
A campfire classic turned into a chewy bar!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Process:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix butter and sugars, add eggs and vanilla. Fold in graham crumbs and baking soda.
- Layer half the mixture in the pan, top with chocolate chips and marshmallows, then cover with the remaining mixture and bake for 25 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Try using different types of chocolate like dark or milk chocolate!
5. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars
A chewy delight perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Process:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Cream together butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add oats, flour, baking soda, cranberries, and chocolate.
- Press into the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Swap cranberries for cherries for a different flavor!
6. Pumpkin Spice Cookie Bars
Warm flavors of pumpkin and spice baked to perfection.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Blend pumpkin, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix in flour, spice, and baking powder.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until set.
Make it Unique:
Top with cream cheese frosting for extra sweetness!
7. Almond Joy Cookie Bars
An indulgent treat for coconut lovers!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Cream together butter and sugars, then add eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, coconut, chocolate chips, and almonds.
- Spread in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Replace almonds with walnuts for a different texture!
8. Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars
All the flavors of a cinnamon roll in bar form!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Beat butter and sugar together, then add eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour and baking powder.
- Spread half of the batter in the pan, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, add remaining batter, and swirl. Bake for 30 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Add nuts to the cinnamon sugar for added crunch!
9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
A match made in heaven: chocolate and peanut butter.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup peanut butter
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Mix together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
- Spread half into the pan, swirl peanut butter throughout, top with remaining batter, and bake for 25 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Sprinkle crushed peanuts on top before baking for a crunchy twist!
10. Salted Caramel Cookie Bars
Decadently sweet with a hint of salt.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup caramel bits
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour and baking soda. Fold in caramel bits.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, then sprinkle with sea salt before serving.
Make it Unique:
Use butterscotch chips in place of caramel bits!
11. Hazelnut Nutella Cookie Bars
Indulgent hazelnut with creamy Nutella, divine!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup Nutella
- 1 cup crushed hazelnuts
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder.
- Fold in Nutella and hazelnuts, spread in the pan, and bake for 30 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Top with whipped cream for an added touch!
12. Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
A delightful pick-me-up perfect for coffee lovers!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Mix butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in flour, coffee granules, and baking powder.
- Fold in chocolate chips, spread in the pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Make it Unique:
Add a sprinkle of espresso powder on top before baking for an extra kick!
13. Coconut Macaroon Cookie Bars
Tropical flavors captured in each chewy bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- Beat butter and sugar, then mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir in coconut, flour, and baking powder.
- Spread in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
Make it Unique:
Drizzle with chocolate for a delightful contrast!
With all these delightful recipes, winter gatherings will be a hit. Whether you choose classic chocolate chip bars or something adventurous like coconut macaroon bars, your guests will be sure to rave about these chewy treats. So grab your ingredients and get baking—everyone will love what you whip up!