Imagine your favorite chocolate chip cookie transformed into a thick, gooey bar with pockets of melted chocolate and crunchy toffee bits, all topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. That’s exactly what happened when I was too impatient to scoop individual cookies one rainy afternoon. These bars have since become my most requested recipe for potlucks and bake sales.
Why This Recipe Is Life-Changing
These aren’t just cookie bars – they’re the perfect balance of crispy edges and soft centers, studded with three kinds of chocolate and buttery toffee pieces. The sea salt brings out all the flavors and adds an irresistible crunch. Plus, they’re easier to make than traditional cookies but look far more impressive.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder (optional)
For the Mix-ins:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
- 1 cup toffee bits
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
The Baking Process
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Mix the Base
In a large bowl, combine melted butter with both sugars, whisking until smooth and glossy. Add eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until well combined. If using espresso powder, add it now – it deepens the chocolate flavor without making the bars taste like coffee.
Step 3: Create the Dough
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into your wet mixture until just combined. Fold in about 3/4 of your chocolate and toffee pieces, saving some for the top.
Step 4: Layer and Top
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. This takes some patience as the dough is thick. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate and toffee over the top, pressing them in slightly.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the center still looks slightly underdone. Don’t overbake! Sprinkle with sea salt while still warm.
Pro Tips for Success
- Melted butter creates chewier bars with a richer flavor
- Room temperature eggs blend better
- Don’t skip the extra egg yolk – it adds richness
- Let cool completely before cutting for clean squares
Tempting Variations
Brown Butter Version
Brown the butter before using for a nutty, caramel flavor.
Nutty Delight
Add 1 cup of toasted chopped pecans or walnuts.
S’mores Style
Top with mini marshmallows for the last 2 minutes of baking.
Perfect for Any Occasion
These bars are incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for:
- Bake sales (they hold up well)
- Holiday cookie exchanges
- Potlucks
- Care packages
- After-school treats
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – just wrap them well and thaw at room temperature.
The beauty of these bars is their adaptability. While the recipe is perfect as-is, you can easily adjust the mix-ins to suit your taste. Want more toffee? Go for it. Prefer all dark chocolate? That works too.
One of the best things about this recipe is how forgiving it is. Even if they’re not perfectly even or the chocolate isn’t perfectly distributed, they’ll still taste amazing. The key is not to overbake them – you want that perfect balance between set edges and a gooey center.
I’d love to hear how yours turn out! Did you try any of the variations? Create your own twist? Share your experience in the comments below. And don’t be surprised if these become your new go-to dessert – they have a way of making people forget all about regular chocolate chip cookies!
Remember: These bars are serious business. You might want to make a double batch because they have a tendency to disappear mysteriously fast!
