If you love cookies but want an easier, fuss-free way to enjoy them, cookie bars are the perfect solution. These sweet, dense treats are baked in a single pan and cut into squares, eliminating the need for multiple batches. Here are seven of the best cookie bar recipes, complete with full instructions using the metric system.
1. Magic Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
- 200 g digestive biscuits, crushed
- 100 g unsalted butter, melted
- 400 g sweetened condensed milk
- 200 g dark chocolate chips
- 100 g chopped walnuts
- 100 g shredded coconut
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 23×23 cm baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the crushed biscuits with melted butter and press firmly into the pan.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the biscuit base.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut over the milk.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
2. Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
- 250 g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 170 g unsalted butter, softened
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 175°C. Line a 20×20 cm baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and milk.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Press into the baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.
- Let cool before slicing.
3. Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
- 200 g plain flour
- 30 g cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150 g unsalted butter, melted
- 100 g brown sugar
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 50 g malted milk powder
- 200 g chopped chocolate
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 175°C. Line a 23×23 cm pan with parchment paper.
- Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk melted butter with both sugars. Add egg, vanilla, and malted milk powder.
- Stir in dry ingredients and chopped chocolate.
- Spread into the pan and bake for 22 minutes.
- Cool before cutting.
4. Cranberry Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
- 150 g plain flour
- 100 g unsalted butter, melted
- 75 g brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150 g cranberry sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 20×20 cm pan with parchment paper.
- Combine flour, melted butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla to form a dough.
- Press half the dough into the pan.
- Spread cranberry sauce over it, then crumble remaining dough on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes and let cool before slicing.
5. Coconut Dream Bars
Ingredients:
- 200 g plain flour
- 100 g butter, softened
- 50 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 150 g shredded coconut
- 100 g brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 ml milk
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 23×23 cm pan with parchment paper.
- Mix flour, butter, and sugar to form a crumbly dough. Press into the pan and bake for 15 minutes.
- Beat eggs with coconut, brown sugar, vanilla, and milk.
- Pour over crust and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Cool before slicing.
6. Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients: Base:
- 150 g crushed graham crackers
- 50 g cocoa powder
- 100 g melted butter
- 50 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 100 g shredded coconut
Filling:
- 100 g butter
- 250 g icing sugar
- 2 tbsp custard powder
- 2 tbsp milk
Topping:
- 200 g dark chocolate
- 50 g butter
Instructions:
- Mix graham crackers, cocoa, butter, sugar, egg, and coconut. Press into a lined 20×20 cm pan and chill.
- Beat butter, icing sugar, custard powder, and milk until smooth. Spread over the base and chill again.
- Melt chocolate with butter, pour over the filling, and let set.
- Slice and serve.
7. Tahini Chocolate Shortbread Bars
Ingredients:
- 200 g plain flour
- 100 g butter, softened
- 50 g sugar
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 g dark chocolate, melted
- 50 g crumbled halva
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 175°C. Line a 20×20 cm pan with parchment paper.
- Mix flour, butter, sugar, tahini, and vanilla into a dough.
- Press into the pan and bake for 18 minutes.
- Cool, then spread melted chocolate over the top.
- Sprinkle crumbled halva before slicing.
These easy and delicious cookie bars are perfect for any occasion. Enjoy baking and indulging in these bite-sized treats!
