Oven-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar with Sea Salt

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie bar baked to golden perfection and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for balance. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 32 minutes layers unsalted butter, brown sugar, granulated 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 220 calories and feeds 9, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 22 min Serves 9 American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until fully combined.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined—do not overmix.
  5. Step 5: Fold in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly.
  6. Step 6: Spread the batter evenly into a greased 8x8-inch baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 20-22 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is set but still soft.
  8. Step 8: Immediately sprinkle 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the warm cookie bar, then let cool completely before slicing into squares.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar with Sea Salt take to make?

Total time is about 32 minutes (10 min prep + 22 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 Oven-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar with Sea Salt?

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 Oven-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar with Sea Salt?

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 Oven-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar with Sea Salt for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 9 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 9). 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 Oven-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar with Sea Salt?

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.

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