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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars bake in a 9x13-inch pan for chewy centers, golden edges, and pockets of semisweet chocolate. Browning the butter adds a nutty flavor to these easy-to-slice dessert bars.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 34 minutes
Cooling 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 14 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 255
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
  • 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.75 tsp fine salt
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs large
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 12 ounces

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch metal baking pan
  • 1 medium saucepan

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to lift out the bars.
  2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 to 8 minutes, until browned bits form and it smells nutty. Immediately pour it into a large heatproof bowl, scraping in the browned bits, and cool until warm, about 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  4. Whisk the brown sugar and granulated sugar into the cooled butter until smooth, then whisk in the eggs, milk, and vanilla until combined.
  5. Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture just until no dry streaks remain, then fold in the chocolate chips.
  6. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are golden and set and the center looks just set.
  7. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour, then lift out by the parchment and cut into bars.

Notes

For the nuttiest flavor, watch the butter closely and pour it out as soon as browned bits form. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; freeze for up to 3 months. For a gluten-free variation, use a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend.