These tasty brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars have a dense, soft, and chewy texture! They are generously packed with gooey chocolate chips. Infused with the rich essence of brown butter, they have a delightful toffee-like taste, further enhanced by a touch of sea salt on top. This recipe is truly unforgettable, offering the ultimate satisfaction in cookie bars!

Brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars are warm and gooey!
  • The brown butter adds a delicious toffee caramel flavor.
  • This recipe is made with only pantry staple ingredients.
  • They are great served warm, room temperature, or cold.
  • Delicious with a scoop of ice cream!
  • You will love these Millionaire Bars too.
  • Kids and adults love these brown butter bars.
  • This recipe is gluten free and nut free.
  • Check out these Gluten Free Blondies for another fun dessert recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for these brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use unsalted butter if possible. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Continue cooking until it has reached a golden brown color.

Both white sugar and light brown sugar add the sweetness.

Vanilla extract adds a delicious cookie flavor.

Only one egg is needed. For an egg free version, try these Vegan Blondies.

Use gluten free flour if you are gluten free like me. Otherwise, feel free to use all-purpose flour.

Baking soda helps these bars rise slightly.

Use dark chocolate chips for a rich and delicious contrast. Semisweet and milk chocolate chips can also be used.

Lastly, garnish with flaky sea salt. The sea salt, butter, and chocolate combination is amazing!

Ingredients for brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars.

Taste & Texture

These brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars have the most rich flavors! They are buttery, toffee-like, caramel-like, chocolaty, and salty.

Each bite is better than the last.

These brown butter bars are dense and gooey.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Make the brown butter. Add the butter to a skillet over low medium heat. Continue stirring, until the butter becomes golden brown. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

Brown butter in skillet.

Step 3

When the butter becomes golden, remove the pan from the heat. Pour into a small bowl and place in the fridge for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, gather the other ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the slightly cooled brown butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.

Golden butter in bowl.

Step 5

Then, add in the vanilla and egg. Stir to combine.

Buttery sugar mixture.

Step 6

Add in the gluten free flour and baking soda. Stir together.

Golden batter in bowl.

Step 7

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Gooey cookie bar dough.

Step 8

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Smooth into an even layer.

Chocolate chip dough bars.

Step 9

Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until the edges are set and the middle still looks gooey.

Step 10

Finally, allow the brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars to cool for 1 hour before garnishing with sea salt, slicing, and serving.

Baked brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Follow these tips and tricks to make the best brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars.

Constantly stir the butter until it has reached a golden brown color.

Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet. These are so flavorful!

The batter will be slightly thinner than regular cookie dough but slightly thicker than brownie batter.

Do not bake too long.

They are meant to be slightly gooey in the middle.

Allow these brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars to cool before slicing into.

Garnish with sea salt on top for the best flavor!

How to Serve & Store

Serve these brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars once cool enough to slice into.

They are delicious with ice cream, whipped cream, or topped with caramel.

I also love a drizzle of melted chocolate and peanut butter on top!

Store these cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Close up of brown butter bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does brown butter taste like?

Brown butter tastes a little nutty, slightly like caramel, and like toffee.

What do these bars taste like?

These brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars taste like chocolate chip cookies with an added flavor of nutty toffee.

Can I use regular flour?

If you are not gluten free like I am, feel free to use all-purpose flour.

Equipment Needed

Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: These pre-cut parchment paper sheets are great for lining the pan.

Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: These mixing bowls are my favorite for baking.

Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups: These cups are great for measuring ingredients.

Check out all of my kitchen favorites!

Gooey dessert squares.

You May Also Like

If you make this brown butter chocolate chip cookie bar recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Dessert Recipes.

Brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars.
At a Glance:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

These brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars are rich, warm, gooey, and delicious! This quick and easy recipe is great for any occasion. They are loaded with a strong buttery flavor, melted chocolate chips, and sea salt!
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Ingredients

16 bars

Instructions 

  • First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
  • Make the brown butter. Add the butter to a skillet over low medium heat. Continue stirring, until the butter becomes golden brown. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
  • When the butter becomes golden, remove the pan from the heat. Pour into a small bowl and place in the fridge for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, gather the other ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the slightly cooled brown butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
  • Then, add in the vanilla and egg. Stir to combine.
  • Add in the gluten free flour and baking soda. Stir together.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Smooth into an even layer.
  • Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until the edges are set and the middle still looks gooey.
  • Finally, allow the bars to cool for 1 hour before garnishing with sea salt, slicing, and serving.

Notes

  • Watch the butter closely.  It becomes golden brown very quickly.
  • Scrape the brown bits of the butter from the pan into the mixing bowl.
  • If you are not gluten free, feel free to use regular all purpose flour.
  • The dough should be a little thinner than regular cookie dough and slightly thicker than regular brownie batter.
  • Do not overbake!  The bars should look still gooey in the center.
  • Allow them to almost fully cool before slicing into them.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature.
  • Check out all of my kitchen favorites!
Calories: 176kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 41mg, Potassium: 15mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 234IU, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Addison LaBonte
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

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