Name: Toll House Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups (270g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups (350g) semisweet chocolate chips; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (150g) light brown sugar, lightly packed; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (100g) chopped pecans (optional)

Memories of childhood swirl around these delectable toll house cookie bars that promise pure comfort and sweet nostalgia.

Grandma’s kitchen always smelled incredible when she pulled out her trusted mixing bowl.

Soft, chewy squares packed with rich chocolate chips invite warm feelings of home.

Melted butter and brown sugar create a caramelized base that makes these bars irresistible.

Classic ingredients blend seamlessly into a dessert everyone adores from the first bite.

Crisp edges and gooey centers guarantee happiness in every single morsel.

Bake these and watch people’s faces light up with pure joy.

Pair with Creamy Milk Delight: Indulge in a cold glass of whole milk that perfectly complements the rich chocolate and nutty flavors of these Toll House Cookie Bars. The smooth, cool milk balances the warm, sweet cookies.
Enhance with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top a warm cookie bar with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy texture creates a delightful contrast against the chewy, chocolate-studded bar.
Match with Caramel Espresso: Serve alongside a freshly brewed espresso with a hint of caramel syrup. The robust coffee cuts through the sweetness while the caramel notes enhance the cookie's depth of flavor.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container with wax paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent chocolate from melting.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
Warm a single bar on a microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds. Check temperature to prevent overheating, which can make the edges crispy and dry.

FAQs

What are Toll House Cookie Bars?

Toll House Cookie Bars are a classic American dessert created by Ruth Wakefield, featuring a buttery cookie base packed with chocolate chips and optional nuts, baked in a single pan and cut into convenient bar shapes.

Can I make these bars without nuts?

Absolutely! The recipe works perfectly with or without pecans. If you have nut allergies or simply don’t enjoy nuts, just skip them and the bars will still be delicious.

Why does the recipe include cornstarch?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender texture in the cookie bars. It prevents the bars from becoming too hard or crispy, ensuring a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Capture Family Love: Delightful bars perfect for bringing everyone together, creating sweet memories with each chocolatey square.
Bake with Ease: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make these cookie bars accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
Customize Your Treat: Flexible recipe allows adding nuts or changing chocolate types, letting you personalize the bars to match family preferences and taste buds.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Guaranteed to be a hit at potlucks, school events, or casual gatherings, these bars satisfy chocolate lovers of all ages with their classic, comforting flavor.

For the Main Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient that provides structure to the cookie bars.
Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and adds deep flavor to the dessert.
Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a soft, chewy texture with caramel-like undertones.
Chocolate Chips: The star ingredient that delivers bursts of melty chocolate throughout the bars.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the bar's soft, tender crumb.

For the Flavor Enhancers:

Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, comforting background flavor that complements the chocolate.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

For the Binding and Texture Ingredients:

Cornstarch, Baking Soda: Help create a soft, tender texture and ensure proper rising of the cookie bars.
Pecans: Optional ingredient that adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the bars.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, ensuring smooth coverage.

Lightly grease the paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

Grab a medium bowl and combine these dry ingredients:

All-purpose flour
Cornstarch
Baking soda
Salt

Whisk everything together until perfectly blended and set aside.

Step 3: Whip Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

Softened butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Vanilla extract

Cream these ingredients until they transform into a smooth, luxurious mixture that looks light and fluffy.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs to the creamy mixture.

Beat until the batter becomes incredibly light and airy, with a silky smooth texture.

Step 5: Merge Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredient blend into the wet mixture.

Stir gently until just combined, making sure no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.

Step 6: Add Delicious Mix-Ins

Fold in:

Chocolate chips
Chopped pecans (optional)

Distribute the mix-ins evenly throughout the dough for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for a golden-brown top and slightly crispy edges as your doneness indicator.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely for at least 30 minutes. This waiting period helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.

Slice into 24 delectable squares, ready to delight everyone who takes a bite.

Whisk dry ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution of baking soda and salt throughout the dough.
Let butter soften at room temperature for easier creaming, creating a smoother, more uniform texture in your cookie bars.
Add eggs one at a time and beat until fully incorporated, helping to create a light and fluffy base for your bars.
Fold chocolate chips gently to prevent overmixing, which can lead to tough cookie bars.
Use parchment paper overhang for easy removal and clean slicing of your delicious cookie bars.

Nutty Chocolate Medley: Replace pecans with a mix of almonds, walnuts, and macadamia nuts for a robust, crunchy texture that adds depth to each bite.
Salted Caramel Swirl: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the batter before baking, then sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for a sweet-salty contrast.
Double Chocolate Blast: Swap half the chocolate chips with dark chocolate chunks and mix in cocoa powder to the flour for an intense chocolate experience.
Tropical Paradise: Incorporate shredded coconut, white chocolate chips, and chopped dried pineapple for a vacation-inspired cookie bar that transports your taste buds.

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.

Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

The Best Toll House Cookie Bars Recipe for Sweet Treat Lovers