Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Want to make a house full of teenage boys happy?

Make them Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

I had short notice that a few of Evan's friends would be spending the night at our house a few weeks ago. All of my kid's friends are so used to having some kind of treat at my house that I almost feel guilty when I don't have anything for them.

One of his friends moved across the state, so we haven't seen him in awhile. He walked in the door and was greeted enthustatically by us all. He was happy to see us again and he informed us that he really missed us but he missed my cooking the most. Ahhhh. I was touched. John calls him the Eddie Haskell of Evan's friends. (Leave to Beaver fans you know what I'm sayin'). I still think he's a sweetie even though he does tend to suck up to the cook of the house.



4 teenage boys can put a hurtin' on a pan of these.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
2 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
12 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled to room temp
1 cup light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips
Sea salt for sprinkling over bars – optional

Oven to 325. Spray a 9X13 in pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer mix the melted butter and sugars together until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix until smooth. Slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour cookie dough into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the cookie bars very lightly with sea salt if desired. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until the top of the bars are light golden brown and the edges start to pull away from the pan. Cool bars on wire rack to room temp. Cut into squares and enjoy!