Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

If you’re searching for a truly irresistible no-bake treat to satisfy your cookie cravings, look no further than these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars. They bring together the classic sweetness and coziness of homemade cookie dough with a luscious chocolate coating, resulting in a decadent dessert that’s ready with just a little bit of mixing and chilling. Every bite is packed with smooth, buttery dough and bursts of chocolate chips—pure edible cookie dough joy, all without turning on your oven!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is refreshingly simple for these bars, yet each one plays a vital role. The buttery richness pairs perfectly with chocolate, a touch of vanilla brings out that classic dough flavor, and the chocolatey topping turns these into pure magic. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few tips to guarantee cookie dough bar success:

• Butter: Use unsalted, softened butter for creamy texture and mellow flavor that melts smoothly into the dough.
• Brown sugar: Packed brown sugar gives the dough its caramel-like sweetness and chewiness.
• Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness and helps achieve the perfect cookie dough consistency.
• Milk: A splash of milk brings everything together and keeps the dough soft and scoopable.
• Vanilla extract: Don’t skip this staple—it’s the secret behind that classic cookie dough aroma.
• All-purpose flour: The bulk of your dough; for extra safety, heat-treat if desired to eliminate bacteria.
• Salt: Just a hint, but it sharpens and balances all the sweet flavors.
• Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chips bring a delightful, melty chocolate bite to every square.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (for coating): Melted for the shiny, decadent layer on top—choose a brand you love to eat!
• Coconut oil or butter (for coating): Makes the chocolate topping silky and easier to slice.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and visibly paler in color. A hand mixer is perfect for this, but strong arms and a sturdy spatula work too! This step is key for the ultimate creamy cookie dough base.

Step 2: Add Milk and Vanilla

Pour in the milk and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully combined. The milk helps create a smooth, cohesive dough, while the vanilla elevates that unmistakable cookie dough flavor we all know and love.

Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour and salt. Add these slowly to avoid lumps, and keep mixing until you’re left with a soft, smooth dough. If you’re worried about raw flour, you can quickly heat-treat it in the oven or microwave beforehand.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips

With a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips. This is where it all comes together—the rich, creamy dough flecked with plenty of chocolate in every bite. Don’t over-mix, just make sure the chips are well distributed for perfect cookie dough bars!

Step 5: Press Into a Pan

Line a square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Press the dough firmly and evenly into the dish, smoothing the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon. A little patience here ensures neat, even bars that look as good as they taste.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Pop the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the dough feels firm. This step sets the bars so they hold their shape when you add the chocolate—plus, the flavors meld together beautifully as they chill.

Step 7: Make the Chocolate Coating

Combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil or butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. This creates that glossy, irresistible shell that tops the bars.

Step 8: Pour and Spread the Chocolate

Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the chilled dough and spread it evenly across the top. You can use an offset spatula for a smooth finish. For extra flair, sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top before the coating sets.

Step 9: Final Chill

Return the pan to the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely set. This final chill is what gives the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars their beautiful, sliceable layers.

Step 10: Slice and Enjoy

Using the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the dish. With a sharp knife, slice them into even squares (wiping your knife between cuts works wonders for clean edges). Admire those gorgeous layers, then dig in!

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

Garnishes

For an extra touch, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the chocolate topping before it hardens—trust me, the salty-sweet combo is pure bliss. A drizzle of melted white chocolate adds visual flair, or try a handful of mini chocolate chips for texture and fun.

Side Dishes

Pair your Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or serve with fresh berries for a refreshing contrast to the richness. They also shine next to a hot mug of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk—classic, comforting pairings guaranteed.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack the bars pyramid-style on a cake stand for parties, wrap them individually for lunchbox treats, or cut them into bite-sized squares and serve in mini cupcake liners for a charming dessert platter. For an indulgent twist, sandwich ice cream between two small squares for the ultimate homemade frozen treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delightfully chewy and fresh for up to a week—though chances are, they’ll disappear much faster!

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer, separated by parchment paper, in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to two months—and you can enjoy them straight from the freezer for an extra-chilled treat.

Reheating

No need to reheat, as these are best enjoyed cool, but if you prefer a softer texture, let them sit at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes. The dough and chocolate will become just slightly softer, giving you that fresh-from-the-mixing-bowl experience.

FAQs

Can I use dairy-free or vegan substitutes in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars?

Absolutely! Swap in plant-based butter and non-dairy milk, and be sure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. The bars are naturally eggless, so they’re easy to adapt for vegan eaters.

Is it safe to eat the raw flour in these bars?

For maximum safety, you can heat-treat your flour by baking it in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes or microwaving in 30-second bursts until it reaches 165°F. This quick step removes any potential bacteria without changing the recipe.

Why is coconut oil used in the chocolate coating?

Coconut oil (or butter) helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it a softer, more sliceable finish. If you don’t have coconut oil, melted butter works well as a substitute!

Do Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars taste like real cookie dough?

Yes, they deliver all the nostalgia and flavor of classic, lick-the-bowl cookie dough, but in a safer, sliceable form that you can share (or keep all to yourself)!

How should I cut the bars cleanly?

For picture-perfect squares, use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts. Chilling the bars thoroughly before slicing makes it easy to achieve those neat chocolate-dipped edges.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever dreamed of sneaking spoonfuls of cookie dough, these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars are about to become your new obsession. They’re ridiculously easy, endlessly customizable, and so dangerously delicious you’ll find yourself making them again and again. Treat yourself—and someone you love—to a batch soon!