Description
These bars feature nutty, browned butter and a fudgy, chewy texture that is better than bakery cookies. Made in one bowl with minimal cleanup, they are rich, intense, and surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups (300g) brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (340g) chocolate chips (semi-sweet and milk mix)
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly until it foams, settles, and develops brown specks with a nutty aroma (5-7 minutes).
- Pour browned butter into a heat-proof bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cooled browned butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar vigorously for 2 minutes until glossy.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix with a spatula just until combined; do not overmix.
- Fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Press dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, pulling them out when edges are golden but the center still looks slightly underbaked and soft.
- Let bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes to set before slicing.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
Notes
Do not burn the butter; remove from heat immediately when nutty aroma appears. Underbake slightly for fudgy texture as bars continue to cook on the hot pan. Use a kitchen scale for flour for best results. Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes for chewier texture. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: brown butter, chocolate chip cookie bars, fudgy bars, one bowl dessert, easy baking, weeknight dessert