Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Chocolate chip cookies are a classic. Most people love them. They are just comforting and delicious. I knew I needed some form of chocolate chip cookies to round off some cookie platters I was making for a party but I was short on time so I decided to make bars. Cookie bars are just as tasty but are easier to make in the sense that you just throw all of the dough in the pan and slice it once it cools. Easy peasy.

These bars are mighty tasty. Best of all there is no egg in the batter so if you have a husband like mine who loves to eat raw cookie dough you don't have to swat them with the spoon to keep them away from the batter (not that I swat John with spoons... at least not often). The bars are very soft. After 20 minutes I wasn't sure if they were done because they still looked so raw. I let them go another 3 minutes and then just pulled them out. Once they cooled they congealed nicely and were a delicious addition to the cookie platters. They guests at the party loved them and raved about them! Big success.

Source: All Recipes

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 pinch salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy. Sift together the salt and flour and mix into the butter mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts. Mix until well blended. Press batter into a 15x10 inch jelly roll pan.

3. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into bars and let cool in pan on wire rack.