Indulge in the decadent sweetness of Loaded Cookies in a Cookie Bar, a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s packed with layers of flavor and texture. These chewy, buttery cookie bars combine the best elements of homemade cookies—semi-sweet chocolate chips, gooey caramel bits, crunchy chopped pecans or walnuts, and salty crushed pretzels—all baked into one easy-to-slice treat. Topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet-and-salty balance, these bars are an irresistible fusion of classic and modern cookie flavors. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a straightforward mix-and-bake process, this recipe is a hassle-free way to impress at gatherings, sweeten your weeknight dessert lineup, or satisfy those midday cravings. Perfectly shareable and bursting with indulgent mix-ins, these cookie bars will become your new go-to!
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter and let it cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Whisk until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon. Mix until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips, caramel bits, chopped nuts, and crushed pretzels until evenly distributed.
Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
If desired, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt for an extra layer of flavor.
Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center still looks slightly underbaked.
Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan.
Cut into 16 squares or your desired size before serving. Enjoy!
Calories |
5957 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 295.8 g | 379% | |
| Saturated Fat | 143.7 g | 718% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 832 mg | 277% | |
| Sodium | 5750 mg | 250% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 809.1 g | 294% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.9 g | 100% | |
| Total Sugars | 496.2 g | ||
| Protein | 69.7 g | 139% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 444 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 24.6 mg | 137% | |
| Potassium | 1264 mg | 27% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.