31 Bar Cookie Recipes for Snacking, Gifting, and Eating Straight From the Pan
Bar cookie recipes skip the fuss of rolling or scooping cookie dough, opting instead for a cozy baking dish and the option to enjoy sliver by sliver. Some offer contrasting layers of creamy custard and crunchy shortbread or dark chocolate and crispy meringue; others give you a range of textures from edge to center. (If you’re really into chewy-crisp corners, you may want to look into acquiring a specialized brownie pan.) Scroll down to find a few of our favorite bar cookie recipes, including brownies, blondies, lemon bars, and dream bars. Slice up a few squares to bring to a neighbor, wrap up a platter for the bake sale, or just revel in having the whole pan to yourself.
Photo by Max Milla1/31Butter Toffee Bars
Bar cookie recipes are always a hit among our readers, but this one from Nick DiGiovanni's cookbook, Knife Drop, was a blockbuster. If you like blondies, put these ooey-gooey bars on your must-bake list.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne and Jason Schreiber2/31Lebkuchen (German Honey Bars)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones3/31Marbled Pumpkin-Maple Cheesecake Bars
These pie bars are one of our favorite fall desserts—they deserve a spot next to the apple pie at your Thanksgiving table.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Christina Allen, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht7/31Peanut Butter Brownies
We love brownie recipes of all stripes—but nothing quite beats the bold look of this chocolate peanut butter combo. These’ll go quick at a potluck. The key to the defined peanut butter swirl is popping the whole baking pan into your freezer to chill for ten minutes before their quick cook time.
Photo by Tara Donne, prop and food styling by Ali Nardi9/31Strawberry Buckwheat Bars
The combination of fresh berries and a jar of preserves creates beautiful, ruby red, candy-like edges, with a bit of ooze in the center of these bar cookies. You'll split the dough (made with a mix of all-purpose flour and buckwheat flour) in half to make the buttery crust and crunchy crumb topping.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton10/31White Chocolate Fruitcake Bars
Already planning some Christmas cookie boxes to ship to friends and loved ones? Sugar cookies are great and all, but don't skip these ginger-scented bars, drizzled with white chocolate.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen12/31Giant Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars
Photo by Angie Mosier13/31Drunk Blondies
These golden brown loaded blondies get rich flavor from a bit of bourbon, which pairs nicely with the brown sugar, pecans, flaked coconut, and semisweet chocolate chips.
Photo by Louise Hagger14/31Tamarind Millionaire’s Shortbread
If you tend to find caramel-layered cookies too sweet, you'll adore this version, which gets a touch of tangy tamarind in the caramel.
Photograph by Gentl + Hyers19/31Whole Grain Shortbread With Einkorn and Rye Flour
Rye flour and einkorn add nutty flavor to these tender, sandy-crumbed shortbread bars. Serve with a cup of coffee or tea.
Photo by Patricia Niven22/31Sourdough Rye Brownies
These brownies impressed us so much that they made our best recipes of the year list. Sourdough starter lends a whisper of tangy flavor that offsets the sweetness and complements the chocolate.
Photograph by William Meppem in The New Easy by Donna Hay27/31Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownie
Caramel and fudgy chocolate both love a sprinkle of sea salt. These bars make great edible gifts for your neighbors and friends.
Photo by William Meppem31/31Molten Chocolate Chunk Brownies
If you’re looking for bar cookie recipes that scream to be eaten hot out of the oven with a spoon, you’ve arrived at a great starting point. Just throw a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and dive in.
