Buttery Magic: Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Buttery, crumbly, and utterly irresistible, these chocolate chip shortbread cookie bars will transport your taste buds to a world of pure indulgence.

The classic shortbread gets a delightful upgrade with rich, melty chocolate chip morsels scattered throughout each tender bite.

Baked to golden perfection, these bars strike the perfect balance between crisp edges and a melt-in-your-mouth center.

No complicated techniques or fancy equipment required – just a few simple ingredients stand between you and dessert bliss.

The sweet aroma of butter and chocolate will fill your kitchen, promising a treat that’s both nostalgic and exciting.

Serve these decadent bars alongside a cold glass of milk, and watch as everyone asks for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 202 kcal

Servings: 17

What Goes Into Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the classic tender, crumbly shortbread texture with a soft wheat foundation.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor depth and balances the sweetness of the cookie bars.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth richness and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweet caramelization and helps create a crisp, golden exterior.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to help hold the dough together and add subtle richness.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aromatic notes that complement the chocolate.
• Almond Extract: Provides a delicate, nutty background flavor that elevates the shortbread.
• Chocolate Chips: Introduces bursts of rich, melty chocolate throughout the bars for delightful texture contrast.

Kitchen Tool Needed for Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars

• 8-by-8-inch baking pan: Perfect square pan for creating evenly baked bars.
• Parchment paper: Essential for easy lifting and clean removal of baked treats.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Spatula: Great for scraping bowl sides and folding in chocolate chips.
• Sharp knife: Helps cut clean, even bars after cooling.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars Step by Step

• Sweet Butter Base

Warm up your kitchen oven and grab an 8-by-8 inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

• Creamy Mixture

Whip softened butter and sugar together until they become light and airy. Pour in egg, vanilla, and a hint of almond extract with a pinch of salt. Gently fold in flour until the dough comes together smoothly.

• Chocolate Delight

Sprinkle generous handfuls of chocolate chips into the cookie mixture. Stir them through so they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

• Pan Preparation

Press the entire dough into your lined pan, creating an even layer that reaches all corners. Make sure the surface looks smooth and consistent.

• Golden Baking

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, which typically takes around 28-30 minutes.

• Cooling and Serving

Once baked, let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan. When cooled, lift the entire batch out using the parchment paper edges. Slice into delightful squares and enjoy your homemade treat.

Smart Hacks for Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars

• Swap traditional chocolate chips with dark, milk, or white chocolate varieties for different flavor profiles. Experiment with mini chips or chopped chocolate bars to change texture and distribution.
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for a delightful sweet-salty contrast. Mix in chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for extra crunch and depth.
• Chill the bars completely before slicing for clean, crisp edges. Use a sharp knife wiped with hot water between cuts to achieve professional-looking bars.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled bars for an elegant finish. Dust with powdered sugar or sprinkle crushed candy canes during holiday seasons for festive flair.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars With Flair

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Serve these rich shortbread bars alongside a steaming cappuccino or espresso, letting the chocolate and coffee flavors dance together for a delightful afternoon treat.
• Dessert Plate Elegance: Dust the bars with powdered sugar and arrange them on a beautiful ceramic plate, garnishing with a few fresh mint leaves for a touch of sophistication and color contrast.
• Ice Cream Indulgence: Warm the shortbread slightly and top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a decadent dessert that balances the cookie's buttery texture with cool, creamy sweetness.
• Gifting Delight: Package these bars in clear cellophane with a rustic twine bow, making them a perfect homemade gift for friends, neighbors, or as a thoughtful hostess present during holiday seasons.

Leftover Ideas for Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep these delightful bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their delectable texture and rich chocolate flavor.
• Counter Convenience: If enjoying within 2-3 days, store the bars at room temperature in a sealed container, ensuring they stay soft and crumbly without refrigeration.
• Freezer Friendly Approach: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. These treats can be frozen for up to 3 months, perfect for future sweet cravings or unexpected guests.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking. This method allows for flexible baking schedules and spontaneous dessert moments.

Buttery Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Bars

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Classic chocolate chip shortbread cookie bars blend buttery richness with sweet chocolate chips. Crisp edges and crumbly texture make these treats irresistible for hungry snackers seeking comfort in each delectable square.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• ½ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips, plus more for topping
• 1 ½ cups (6.75 oz / 192 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp almond extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhang for easy extraction.
2. Mixing Base: Whip softened butter and sugar together until achieving a voluminous, pale cream-like texture that appears light and fluffy.
3. Liquid Integration: Incorporate egg, vanilla and almond extracts, and salt into the butter mixture, blending until completely smooth and uniform.
4. Dough Formation: Gradually mix in flour until a cohesive dough develops, then gently fold chocolate chips throughout, distributing evenly without overmixing.
5. Pan Distribution: Carefully spread the dough across the prepared pan, pressing firmly and evenly to create a consistent layer that reaches all corners.
6. Baking Process: Position pan in preheated oven and bake for 28-30 minutes, monitoring until edges turn golden brown and center appears set but slightly soft.
7. Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and allow shortbread to cool completely within the pan, enabling the bars to firm up and develop optimal texture.
8. Serving Preparation: Utilize parchment paper edges to lift entire shortbread from pan, then slice into precise rectangular bars ready for serving.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smooth, easy creaming that ensures a light, fluffy texture in your shortbread bars.
• Chocolate Chip Distribution: Fold chocolate chips gently to prevent overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies and uneven chip placement.
• Baking Time Watch: Check bars around 25 minutes to prevent over-browning; every oven differs slightly in temperature and heat distribution.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let bars cool completely in the pan to allow proper setting and achieve the signature shortbread crumbly yet tender texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 202
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 37 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg