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Soft & Chewy Cookie Bars

Thick, buttery, soft, and chewy chocolate chip cookie bars.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time32 minutes
Total Time1 hour 47 minutes
Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1½ tsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk room temperature
  • 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a few more for adding on top
  • sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 177°C (350°F). Get a 9-inch square baking pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Leave an overhang on all sides. Note 1
  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt together. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until no lumps remain. Whisk in 1 egg, and 1 egg yolk, and then the vanilla extract. Note that the mixture will be thick.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Note that the cookie dough will be thick and very soft.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips. Transfer the cookie dough onto the prepared pan and smooth out evenly.
  • Press more chocolate chips on top and sprinkle with sea salt. (optional)
  • Bake for 32-35 minutes. Use a toothpick to test for doneness. It is done when the toothpick inserted at the centre comes out clean. Note 2
  • Let the cookie bar cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour or so. Lift out of the pan when it has cooled down, and cut into squares. Note 3

Notes

Note 1: Use the overhang to lift the bars out of the pan when it has cooled down.
Note 2: Don't overbake the cookie bars. Check for doneness at 32 minute mark or when you see the sides are lightly browned.
Note 3: The total time indicated in the recipe includes the cooling period of at least 1 hour. Store the cooled cookie bars at room temperature in an airtight container. It can last up to a week.