Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Chip Bars

Featured in: Breads & Sweet Bakes

These bars offer a perfect blend of softness and chewiness, packed with semisweet chocolate chips and encased in a golden buttery crust. Simple mixing of flour, sugars, butter, eggs, and vanilla creates a rich dough that bakes into gooey, shareable bars. Slightly underbaking keeps the center delightfully soft, while optional nuts add crunch. Serve warm for a luscious treat that’s easy to prepare and enjoy.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 09:47:00 GMT
Freshly baked Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, with melted chocolate and a golden, buttery crust. Save
Freshly baked Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, with melted chocolate and a golden, buttery crust. | circuitbites.com

Irresistibly soft and chewy cookie bars packed with melty chocolate chips and a buttery, golden crust—perfect for sharing at any occasion.

I first served these gooey chocolate chip cookie bars at a family gathering and they disappeared within minutes.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled, 1 1/4 cups (250 g) packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs room temperature, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Add-Ins: 2 cups (340 g) semisweet chocolate chips, Optional 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

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Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper leaving a slight overhang for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour baking soda and salt. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl mix the melted butter brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Ingredients:
Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined do not overmix.
Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts:
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using).
Spread Dough:
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake:
Bake for 23 28 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is just set (do not overbake for gooey bars).
Cool and Serve:
Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool lift out and cut into bars.
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Cook complete meals by frying, sautéing, simmering, and boiling with easy nonstick cleanup every day.
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Cook complete meals by frying, sautéing, simmering, and boiling with easy nonstick cleanup every day.
Check price on Amazon
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| circuitbites.com

These bars are a hit every time I make them especially when shared with my family during cozy weekend afternoons.

Required Tools

9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan mixing bowls whisk spatula parchment paper wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) eggs milk (butter chocolate) and may contain tree nuts if added Always check chocolate chips and other packaged ingredients for possible allergens

Nutritional Information

Calories 295 Total Fat 15 g Carbohydrates 39 g Protein 3 g (per bar based on 16 servings without nuts)

A close-up of the Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, ready to be cut and served. Pin it
A close-up of the Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, ready to be cut and served. | circuitbites.com
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These cookie bars combine ease and deliciousness in every bite perfect for any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes these chocolate chip bars gooey?

The perfect balance of melted butter, sugars, and careful baking time results in a soft, chewy texture with a gooey center.

Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Yes, semisweet can be swapped with milk, dark, or white chocolate chips to suit your taste preference.

Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?

No chilling is required; the dough can be baked immediately after mixing for best gooey results.

How can I add a crunchy texture to the bars?

Adding chopped walnuts or pecans before baking adds a pleasant crunch alongside the soft texture.

What is the best way to serve these bars?

For an indulgent treat, serve warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Chip Bars

Soft, chewy bars filled with melty chocolate chips and a golden buttery crust, ideal for any occasion.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

01 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
02 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
03 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Add-Ins

01 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
02 Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Step 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, blend melted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.

Step 04

Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 05

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined; avoid overmixing.

Step 06

Fold in Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Gently fold in chocolate chips and optional nuts if used.

Step 07

Spread Dough in Pan: Evenly spread batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.

Step 08

Bake: Bake for 23 to 28 minutes until edges are golden and center is just set; avoid overbaking to maintain gooey texture.

Step 09

Cool and Slice: Cool completely in pan on a wire rack, then lift out using parchment overhang and cut into 16 bars.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter, chocolate), and may contain tree nuts if added.
  • Check packaged ingredients for additional allergen warnings.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 295
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 39 g
  • Protein: 3 g