Description
These Brown Butter Cookie Bars are a perfect combination of chewy, gooey goodness and rich, nutty brown butter flavor. The brown butter adds a deep, caramelized taste to the bars, making them a delicious twist on traditional cookie bars. With a slightly crispy edge and soft, buttery center, these bars are a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a party, as an afternoon snack, or just indulging with a cup of coffee, these cookie bars are sure to impress!
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar (light or dark)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips (optional, for added indulgence)
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir constantly as it melts. After a couple of minutes, the butter will begin to foam and then turn golden brown with a nutty aroma. Keep stirring to prevent burning, and once it reaches a deep golden color with brown bits at the bottom, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly for about 10 minutes.
- Make the Cookie Bar Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Pour in the browned butter and mix until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. If using chocolate chips, fold them into the dough.
- Bake the Cookie Bars: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with just a few crumbs attached). The bars will continue to firm up as they cool, so be careful not to overbake them.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookie bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, cut them into squares or rectangles.
- Serve: These Brown Butter Cookie Bars are perfect on their own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. They also pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or milk for a delicious treat any time of day.
Notes
For extra crunch, add a handful of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts.
Swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips or even add a swirl of caramel sauce before baking for a richer flavor.
If you want a slightly less intense brown sugar flavor, use a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
