One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookie Bars
Chewy bars combining the richness of brownies with the chewiness of cookies, loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 45 minutes layers (2 sticks) unsalted butter, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup, packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter in 30-second intervals until fully melted and slightly cooled, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 3: Whisk in 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar into the melted butter until combined. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition until smooth. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Sift together 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Step 5: Fold in 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly through the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
- Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into 12 bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookie Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookie Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookie Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookie Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
