Well, it snowed here in Detroit. And it’s super cute until your car gets stuck. I guess I should probably leave my car in it’s parking spot until spring and spend all of my time baking cookie bar mountain towns for all the mini deer and trees in my life. It’s the only answer that makes sense, ya know? So come on over! I’ll make you sit by my pink christmas tree with a cookie bar feast and some hot cocoa to chug.
Cindy told me about these back when she made them twice in one week! And I’ve wanted to make them ever since I saw her perfectly tetris-ed cookie stacks of my dreams. And guess what, Cindy’s not a liar! They are super good. I might even call them the bomb. I just might. You see, they’re made with brown butter and cream cheese. This magical combo causes these to be almost cake-y and a touch tart. I mean, just make them! You’ll see what I mean!
Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars
Recipe adapted from Hungry Girl Por Vida
Ingredients:
- 9 T unsalted butter
- 4 oz. (half a bar) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2 t vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 t baking powder
- 3/4 t kosher salt, + 1/4t more for sprinkling*
- 6 oz. dark chocolate chopped
- 6 oz. peanut butter chips
- 5 oz. toasted nuts, optional
* I used fleur de sel for sprinkling.
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease 9×13″ baking dish and line with parchment paper, grease again. Toast nuts, if using, for 5-10 minutes on a baking sheet.
- Brown the butter in a saucepan on medium-low, until milk solids are brown and the butter itself has darkened and smells like toffee. Remove from heat and scrape into the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large bowl. Add the cream cheese and sugars, and beat for 5-7 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well, and scraping after each addition. Mix in vanilla.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a medium bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl, while mixing on low, until just combined, leaving a few flour streaks. Fold in the chocolate chunks and peanut butter chips.
- Spread dough in the prepared pan until smooth. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the edges are deeply brown and the center is just set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan.
Yay! Click HERE for a printable pdf of the recipe above.
Work Christmas party at The Lark // Yule be sorry! //
Fondue pot miracle // Kevin McCallister
I am so loving that first picture.
Thanks, Faygie!
I hope that cookie bar mountain town has room for one more. These look major.
Yeah girl! Totes room! Let’s go sledding!
Chewy cookies are my jam, and this looks like an ultimate chewy chocolate cookie. So yeah, I’m buying a plane ticket to Detroit.
See ya soonly!
Brown butter + Cream cheese? There’s no way these aren’t crazy amazing!!
Right?! A cookie miracle!
I love the title of these. Peanut butter chips are always good measure. I want all of these in my face right now. Chocolate, brown butter, cream cheese and peanuts? I’m dying.
Thanks, Taylor! Too much goodness. Almost!
Yeah, this snow can go away any time! But not these cookie bars! Peanut butter chips are always a good decision.
So true, Laura.
Snow is lame, these are awesome. Just stay in and eat these girlfriend!
I’m hibernating!
Daaaanng, these look perfect!!
Thanks, Katrina!
i’m so glad these are in your life now!
Finally, right!
I feel your pain, girl. I’m in MN and this winter’s been starting out with a bang. Lots of snow and a week straight of below zero temps. Oh, and I’ve got a broken and I’m on crutches. So yeah…this winter’s gonna be all about baking cookies and cakes. I’ll work it off at the gym in April.
Minnesota is brutal!
The swirly salted batter! So pretty! It is the only answer for sure! Is the second ingredient, magical softened cream cheese? These look so good!
Thanks, Nicole! <3
Won’t you take me to…Cookie Mountain. Wont you take me to…Cookie Mountain. (sang horribly off key to Funky Town) 🙂
LOVE this.
Ohhhh man, you know I want all of it. I luuuuv anything that has cream cheese packed into it. AND NOW IT’S IN COOKIE BARS.
Hell yeah! Thanks, Billy!
I definitely think these are meant to be eaten by a pink tree with hot cocoa in hand. A genius idea. Looks divine!!
Yes! <3 Come on ova! Let's hang like ladies!
I want one of these right now! Love the photos. Cookie bars just give you so much more cookie in every bite!
Thanks, Rachel! You’re so right!
I saw your adorable photo on Instagram and couldn’t wait for the recipe. One q: When you say “4oz (half a bar), softened” I assume you mean the cream cheese, right?
Thanks, Jenny! And yes! Cream cheese! Totally fixed it in the ingredient list. <3
I am HOPING you put one in the freezer….hiding for me for NEXT week!!! Oh yummmmm
Looks so good! We haven’t gotten much snow in DC yet, so I’m still waiting for a storm that will force me to stay indoors all day. Gotta try these. And love the styling with the deer and tree 😉
i love your photos. they look great!