Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (Gooey Chocolate Center, Easy Dessert Recipe) 🍫

Craving a rich, bakery-style treat? These chocolate chip cookie bars with a gooey chocolate center are soft, chewy, and loaded with melty chocolate in every bite. Perfect for parties, dessert trays, or an indulgent snack, this easy cookie bar recipe comes together quickly and bakes in one pan.

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Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Cookie Dough:

• 225 g unsalted butter, melted
• 200 g brown sugar
• 100 g white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 360 g all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 200 g chocolate chips

Chocolate Filling:

• 250 g chocolate hazelnut spread (or melted milk chocolate)

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How to Make Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 23×33 cm (9×13-inch) baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth and glossy.
Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined—do not overmix.
Fold in the chocolate chips.

Step 3: Layer the Bars

Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan.
Spread the chocolate hazelnut filling evenly over the dough layer.
Drop the remaining dough in spoonfuls over the top and gently spread—it doesn’t need to fully cover the filling.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the center is just set.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely for clean slices, or serve slightly warm for an extra gooey chocolate center.

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Tips for the Best Cookie Bars

• Don’t overbake—slightly underbaked centers give that gooey texture.
• Chill the dough for 15 minutes if it’s too soft to handle.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips for better flavor.
• Add nuts or sea salt on top for extra texture and taste.

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Serving Ideas

These chocolate chip cookie bars are perfect:

• Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• As a party dessert or potluck treat
• Paired with coffee or milk

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Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: ~45 minutes
• Servings: 12–16 bars

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These gooey chocolate cookie bars are the ultimate dessert—crispy edges, soft centers, and a rich chocolate filling that makes every bite irresistible. Save this recipe for your next sweet craving!