Nostalgic Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

Sweet Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe: No-Bake Joy

Decadent chocolate chip cookie dough bars are the ultimate sweet escape for dessert enthusiasts.

Bakers adore this no-bake treat that captures the irresistible essence of raw cookie dough without any risk.

Each creamy, indulgent bite delivers pure nostalgic comfort straight from childhood memories.

The silky smooth texture melts effortlessly on your tongue, creating an instant moment of bliss.

Rich chocolate chips scattered throughout provide delightful bursts of intense flavor.

These bars require minimal effort and zero baking, making them a perfect quick dessert for busy sweet tooths.

Dive into this simple recipe and treat yourself to a heavenly confection that’ll become your new favorite indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 230 kcal

Servings: 15

For Cookie Dough Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Key foundation that gives structure, heat-treat to ensure food safety for raw consumption.
  • Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create soft, tender texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to the dough.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with crisp edges.
  • Milk: Enhances dough's smoothness and binding properties.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth to the overall flavor profile.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredients' taste.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful bursts of chocolate throughout the dough.
For Chocolate Topping:
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Creates smooth, glossy coating with balanced sweetness.
  • Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate spread evenly and provides silky finish.
For Optional Garnish:
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for creaming butter and sugars, mixing dough ingredients smoothly.
  • Baking Sheet: Essential for heat-treating flour safely and evenly.
  • 8×8-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for pressing and shaping cookie dough bars.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps easily remove bars and prevents sticking.
  • Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used for melting chocolate and coconut oil quickly.
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for mixing and folding ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting clean, precise bar edges.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Flour Transformation

Kick off your culinary adventure by transforming ordinary flour into a safe treat. Spread the flour on a baking sheet and heat it up until it reaches a safe temperature. Let it cool down completely, creating a foundation for your delectable dessert.

  • Dough Magic

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip together softened butter and sugars until they become a fluffy cloud of sweetness. Splash in some milk and vanilla, creating a smooth base. Gently fold in the cooled flour and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle in chocolate chips for bursts of flavor.

  • Layer and Chill

Grab a baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Press your dreamy dough into an even layer, creating a smooth canvas. Pop the dish into the refrigerator and let it chill and set.

  • Chocolate Cascade

Melt chocolate with a touch of coconut oil, creating a silky river of richness. Pour this liquid gold over the chilled dough, spreading it into a perfect blanket of chocolate.

  • Final Chill and Slice

Return the dish to the refrigerator, letting the chocolate firm up into a glossy layer. Once set, slice into tempting squares of pure indulgence.

  • Enjoyment

Serve these bars chilled or at room temperature. Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator, ready to satisfy your sweet cravings for days.

  • Cookie Dough Safety Pro: Heat-treating flour is crucial to eliminate potential bacteria like E. coli, ensuring your no-bake treat is completely safe to enjoy without worrying about foodborne illnesses.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared up to 5 days in advance, making them perfect for party planning or meal prep. Simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they'll stay fresh and delicious.
  • Dietary Twist Options: For gluten-free lovers, swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour. Vegans can use plant-based butter alternatives and dairy-free chocolate chips to create a completely animal-product-free version of these decadent bars.
  • Flavor Adventure: Experiment with mix-ins like chopped nuts, sea salt sprinkle, or different chocolate varieties like white chocolate or dark chocolate chips to create unique flavor profiles that match your personal taste preferences.
  • Portion Control Hack: Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to create uniform squares, which not only looks professional but helps manage serving sizes and makes sharing easier at gatherings or potlucks.
  • Sweet Dessert Companion: Pair these decadent bars with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate classic combination that enhances the rich chocolate flavor.
  • Fancy Plating Twist: Dust the tops with powdered sugar or drizzle extra melted chocolate in elegant zigzag patterns to create a restaurant-style presentation that impresses guests.
  • Party Portion Hack: Cut the bars into bite-sized squares for easy sharing at potlucks, birthday parties, or game night gatherings where people love convenient, grab-and-go treats.
  • Gourmet Gift Option: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper with a ribbon for a homemade gift that shows personal care and culinary creativity, perfect for friends and family celebrations.
  • Chilled Delight Storage: Keep bars in a sealed container inside the refrigerator for maximum freshness up to 7 days.
  • Quick Freezing Trick: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen treats stay delicious for 2-3 months – perfect for future sweet cravings.
  • Smart Separation Strategy: Layer bars between parchment paper sheets when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful chocolate-topped appearance.
  • Temperature Serving Tips: Remove bars from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before enjoying to soften slightly, allowing chocolate to become wonderfully smooth and cookie dough to reach ideal creamy texture.
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Nostalgic Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

Nostalgic Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 15 1x

Description

Delectable chocolate chip cookie dough bars blend creamy sweetness with nostalgic comfort. Cookie lovers savor rich layers of eggless dough and smooth chocolate, creating an irresistible no-bake dessert you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour, heat-treated
  • 1 cup (200 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup (135 g) mini chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsps milk (or heavy cream)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Flour Preparation: Spread flour on baking sheet and roast at 350F (175C) for 5-7 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165F (74C). Cool completely before next phase.
  2. Dough Crafting: Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until fluffy. Add milk and vanilla, blending smoothly. Integrate heat-treated flour and salt. Fold mini chocolate chips throughout mixture.
  3. Bar Formation: Line 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Compress dough evenly across pan surface. Refrigerate 30 minutes to set foundation.
  4. Chocolate Coating: Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with coconut oil using microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between cycles. Pour melted chocolate uniformly over chilled dough.
  5. Finishing and Storage: Refrigerate 1-2 hours until chocolate sets completely. Slice into precise bars. Store in sealed container in refrigerator up to one week. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Sanitize Flour Safely: Heat-treat flour in the oven to eliminate potential bacteria, ensuring a safe no-bake dessert experience. Always use a food thermometer to confirm proper temperature.
  • Achieve Smooth Dough Consistency: Ensure butter is perfectly softened but not melted. Room temperature ingredients blend more evenly, creating a creamy, lump-free texture.
  • Chill for Structural Perfection: Refrigeration is crucial for setting the bars. Don’t rush this step – proper chilling prevents crumbly texture and helps flavors meld together.
  • Chocolate Drizzling Technique: Melt chocolate slowly and carefully to prevent seizing. Stir frequently and use short microwave intervals to maintain a glossy, smooth chocolate coating.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 15
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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