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Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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These cookie bars feature a rich, nutty browned butter flavor paired with melty chocolate chips, offering a soft and chewy texture with slightly crisp edges. Perfect for feeding a crowd and easy to make with pantry staples.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped toasted nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Instructions

  1. Place 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula. After about 5-7 minutes, the butter will melt, foam, then start to brown and smell nutty. Once it turns golden brown with tiny brown flecks, remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Pour in the browned butter (warm but not hot), then whisk in 2 large room-temperature eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth and glossy, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Fold in 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and, if using, 1/2 cup chopped toasted nuts.
  6. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. Spread the dough evenly with a spatula or hands, pressing gently to fill corners and smooth the top.
  7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes. Check at 25 minutes; edges should be golden brown and center set but still soft when touched lightly. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
  8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack before slicing into squares.

Notes

Use a light-colored pan to monitor butter browning and stir constantly to avoid burning. Avoid overmixing the dough to keep bars tender. If baking in a glass pan, reduce oven temperature by 25°F to prevent overbrowning. Let bars cool completely before slicing for cleaner cuts. Optional flaky sea salt sprinkled on top after baking enhances flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: browned butter, chocolate chip, cookie bars, easy dessert, crowd-pleaser, chewy bars, buttery, chocolate, baking

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/browned-butter-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars-recipe-easy-for-a-crowd/