Cookie Dough Bars
Cookie dough bars are a delicious treat that combines the best of both worlds: the wonderful taste of cookie dough and the convenience of a bar. These bars offer a creamy texture with rich flavors, making them irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth. Perfect for parties, snacks, or just a fun dessert, cookie dough bars are bound to become a family favorite.
Why Make This Recipe
Making cookie dough bars is easy and fun! This recipe requires no baking, making it perfect for warm days or when you’re short on time. You can customize it with your favorite mix-ins, such as extra chocolate chips or colorful M&M’s. Plus, these bars are simple enough for kids to help with, making it a great activity for the whole family.
How to Make Cookie Dough Bars
Ingredients:
- 10 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (baked at 350°F for 5 minutes)
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature M&M’s
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (for topping)
- 3/4 cup miniature M&M’s (for topping)
Directions:
- Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Set it aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating for another minute.
- Gradually add the baked flour and sweetened condensed milk, alternating between the two while mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Use a spatula to fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s into the dough. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Freeze the dough for 30 minutes to firm up while you prepare the topping.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled cookie dough and spread it evenly. Sprinkle extra M&M’s on top and gently press them into the chocolate.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours until firm. Once ready, cut into bars and serve.
How to Serve Cookie Dough Bars
Cookie dough bars can be enjoyed straight from the pan after cutting them into squares. You can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat. They are great for sharing at parties or keeping in the fridge for an easy sweet snack.
How to Store Cookie Dough Bars
Store leftover cookie dough bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about a week. You can also freeze the bars for up to three months. Just be sure to wrap them well to avoid freezer burn.
Tips to Make Cookie Dough Bars
- Make sure to bake the flour for 5 minutes to kill any bacteria before using it in the recipe.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting them to avoid them breaking apart.
- Feel free to mix and match the toppings. You can use nuts, sprinkles, or different kinds of chocolate candies.
Variation
You can create different flavors of cookie dough bars by adding ingredients like peanut butter, white chocolate, or coconut flakes. Experiment with your favorite flavors to find your perfect combination!
FAQs
1. Can I eat cookie dough bars without baking?
Yes, these bars are safe to eat since the flour is baked beforehand, making them safe to consume.
2. How do I know when the cookie dough bars are set?
The bars should be firm to the touch and should not jiggle when you move the pan after refrigerating for 2 to 3 hours.
3. Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of miniature ones?
Absolutely! You can use any type of chocolate chips you like, whether they’re regular, dark, or even white chocolate.
Enjoy making and delighting in these cookie dough bars—they’re sure to please everyone!
Print
Cookie Dough Bars
- Total Time: 150 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious no-bake cookie dough bars combining the taste of cookie dough with rich flavors, perfect for parties and snacks.
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (baked at 350°F for 5 minutes)
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature M&M’s
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (for topping)
- 3/4 cup miniature M&M’s (for topping)
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Set it aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating for another minute.
- Gradually add the baked flour and sweetened condensed milk, alternating between the two while mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s into the dough. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Freeze the dough for 30 minutes to firm up while preparing the topping.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled cookie dough and spread it evenly. Sprinkle extra M&M’s on top and gently press them into the chocolate.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours until firm. Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
Make sure to bake the flour to kill any bacteria. Let the bars cool completely before cutting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: cookie dough, dessert, no-bake, chocolate, bars