Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars.

Nothing compares to a recipe your mom made over and over again, the kind that instantly brings you back. These bars have wrinkly tops, thick, slightly crisp edges, and the doughiest center. They’re so gooey they’re almost like cookie dough. Made with all the basic ingredients, but perfected with just the right measurements and baking time. Truly so delicious!

I can’t believe I’ve never shared this exact recipe. I’ve shared so many cookie and cookie bar recipes over the years, but never my mom’s classic version.

Growing up, she made these all the time. There was almost always a pan cooling on the counter before dinner. My mom is the biggest chocoholic, and we were definitely the kind of family that talked about dessert before dinner was even on the table. Which is probably why dinners were often simple—chicken and rice, tacos, chicken noodle casserole, or my dad’s potato chip chicken.

But dessert? Dessert was always happening.

The real secret is to make these with someone. Your sister, your mom, a friend, or anyone who loves baking as much as eating. That’s how I remember them most, with someone sneaking chocolate chips and stealing bites of dough along the way.

And yes, you should absolutely sneak a few spoonfuls of dough while spreading it into the pan. It’s pretty much part of the recipe.

What makes these bars so special is how they bake up. The edges turn thick, chewy, wrinkly, and just slightly crisp, while the center stays incredibly soft and doughy—almost like cookie dough. Exactly how a cookie bar should be.

My mom knows best in a lot of areas, but desserts are where she really shines. She never disappoints. And trust me, these bars are pure heaven. You’ll make them once, and days later…you’ll want to make them again!

These are the Details

Ingredients

• salted butter – another secret from mom, always bake with salted butter!
• brown sugar
• granulated sugar
• eggs
• vailla exctract
• flour
• baking soda
• sea salt
• semi-sweet chocolate chips – classic!
• flaky sea salt

Baking Tools

For these easy cookie bars, you need a rectangular glass Pyrex or similar-sized baking dish. Then, a mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer, and a spatula. Pretty easy access stuff!

The Steps

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven. Butter a glass baking dish really well. I love using butter here because it gives the edges that slightly crisp, caramelized finish that makes these bars so good.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and fully combined. This is what helps create that soft, chewy cookie texture.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla. The dough should look smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, baking soda, and sea salt. Mix until just combined. Try not to overmix here, or the bars can turn more cakey than doughy.

Stir in the chocolate chips. I love using plenty, so every bite has melty chocolate throughout.

Step 4: Bake

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. The dough will be thick, so use a spatula to gently press it into an even layer.

Bake for 18–25 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. We like these doughy, almost like warm cookie dough in the center. The longer you bake them, the more set the bars will become.

As soon as the bars come out of the oven, sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if desired). It makes the chocolate pop and balances the sweetness perfectly.

Let them cool slightly, then slice into bars. Or do what we always do and enjoy a few warm bites straight from the pan.