Having lived in the South all of my life until last year, summer has always meant unbearable heat and a few months of staying inside as much as possible. I won’t say that it doesn’t get plenty hot here in New York. It certainly does. Thankfully, though, it’s not quite as long-lived as all of the other summers I’ve known. As I write this in mid-August, it’s already feeling a little bit like fall outside.
A few weeks ago, the good folks over at Everyday Food were kind enough to send me a copy of their special summer issue. With my brand new summer attitude, I delved in and found several recipes to add to my seemingly insurmountable “to-try” pile.
These cookie bars called to me. They were practically begging to be made. So, make them I did. And a wise decision that was.
Imagine, if you will, a bar with a rich, chocolate-y bottom layer. There’s no cream cheese involved in the top layer, but the taste and texture are reminiscent of cheesecake. I can only describe it as the cousin that cheesecake actually likes. The total package is a soft, chewy, delicious treat not just for summer. This kind of goodness works in any season in my kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for baking dish)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 & 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with parchment, leaving about a 2-inch overhang on two sides. Lightly butter parchment.
Whisk together butter and both sugars in a large bowl. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing just until moistened.
Divide batter in half, and transfer one half to a separate bowl. Stir in cocoa powder and chocolate chips until combined.
Place chocolate batter in baking pan. Spread evenly and smooth top. Spread plain batter on top of chocolate batter. Smooth top.
Bake 25-30 minutes, or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Everyday Food.
August 17th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
So moist and delicious. I love the two colors-very apperizing!
August 17th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
These look delightful. Perfect Summer bar.
I live in Minnesota, so if you ever show up to a picnic everyone brings bars. It becomes a bar party.
Next bar party, I’m bringing something like this.
August 17th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Yum. These look great, and I’ll definitely give them a try!
August 17th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Yum. I love Everyday Food. These look great. I never picked up that issue and kicking myself. Will give these a try for sure. Thanks!
August 17th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Great idea, and it looks delicious. Those gooey bits of chocolate is particularly appealing
August 17th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
cluttercafe, this issue is still available through the end of the month.
August 17th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Oh my that chocolate bottom looks amazing!
August 17th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Looks awfully scrumptious!
August 17th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Girl… these look amazing, I’m so glad they begged you to make them!
August 18th, 2011 at 3:07 am
Well, you definitely have my attention!! These look incredible and so rich and delicious – ultimate comfort food!
August 18th, 2011 at 6:36 am
These look creamy and wonderful! I love seeing what you’re going to come up with next. Can’t wait to try these out!
August 18th, 2011 at 7:16 am
Beautiful! These sound glorious.
August 18th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
wooaahh there, this is some intense looking deliciousness looking at me right now, great recipe! definitely want to try these out
August 18th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Texture of cheesecake and taste of a cookie? Yup, sounds good to me!
August 18th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
This looks wonderful! Gonna try this soon!
August 18th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Did you use a Dutch-processed cocoa or Hershey’s cocoa?
August 19th, 2011 at 5:29 am
Ajax, I used unsweetened cocoa, like Hershey’s. My favorite brand is Scharffen Berger.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Thanks! I’m gonna make these tomorrow, but scaled up to a half-sheet pan. Ugh, 7 sticks butter. It’s suddenly turned into a Paula Deen recipe.
August 24th, 2011 at 10:38 am
Love the two tone color look of this bar. I am not a particular cheesecake lover, so this is a great option! Fabulous photos as well!
August 28th, 2011 at 1:09 am
Those black bottom cookies sure look super delicious, definitely go well with a cup of tea or coffee at any hours of the day.
August 30th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I made these bars yesterday and they were absolutely delicious and very moist. I put in some oats, used less flour, turned out really good.
September 1st, 2011 at 8:12 am
These look yummy. my son has a party coming up, I think I will trry these and maybe print something on my PhotoFrost printer to top it off just for fun. Thanks for sharing
September 1st, 2011 at 8:14 am
these bars seem to be begging me to make them too!
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Everyday Food is one of my favorite magazines. Their recipes always work for me. I’ll have to remember this one!
September 4th, 2011 at 8:58 am
These look delightful and you pictures are great!
September 6th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Oh, boy. These look amazing! Tasty and beautiful~
September 16th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
What a delight … Love them ..!!!!!
September 18th, 2011 at 7:15 am
Holy moly! These look so good I’m drooling in my coffee (quite an image I just painted for you, huh?). I’m definitely trying these right away!
It has finally cooled off here in Kentucky, after a record-setting summer. Fall weather feels even better than usual.
Everyday Food is a personal favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
September 27th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Holy!….These look and sound (Ummm….cheesecake as a descriptive word?! Color me sold!) dee-lish! And this is only the first recipe on your blog that caught my eye. I’ll be back to look at others for sure as I am avid lover of all things chocolate! I’ll be trying out all your chocolate dishes. Haha. Great blog!
October 8th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Okay..I have these in the oven but it’s been almost 40 minutes and they’re still coming out gooey…. I think I’m gonna take them out in a minute and just pray they set. I’m making them for a friend!!
January 3rd, 2012 at 5:58 pm
I just made these and all I have to say is AWESOME!!!! They are incredibly delicious. My kids are going ape over them. Me too
So easy to make too. This is a keeper, thank you!!
March 2nd, 2012 at 10:21 am
I must try this…
& thanks for visiting my blog!!
May 16th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Made these tonight and they were perfection! I added a dark chocolate ganache to make it over-the-top-chocolate.
Of course, I would expect nothing less from you, Jennifer! I’ve made dozens of recipes from your blog, and I swear every single one was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. Thank you for such amazing recipes and photos, I can’t imagine my dessert life without you!
June 27th, 2012 at 10:58 am
I bookmarked this recipe over a year ago, and finally made them yesterday. Heavenly!! I browned the butter instead of just melting it…crazy good stuff. Thank you!! Just posted pics and a link back of gratitude.
July 16th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Loved them! Delicious! I put hazelnuts in the plain mixture and instead of chocolate chips I roughly chopped up a milk chocolate bar so the chocolate oozed out when it was baked. I may try putting orange essence into the plain mix in future to get a chocolate orange taste.
October 10th, 2012 at 8:58 am
Does this recipe double well? I would like to make a larger batch at one time…
October 10th, 2012 at 11:10 am
Lara, you should be able to double it and bake in a 9″x 13″ pan.
December 14th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
I wanted to make these again (they were sooo good!) but does it make a difference if it is all in a stand mixer? I didn’t think so but wanted to check before I make them again
December 14th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Abs, that should be okay as long as you’re careful not to overmix.
February 12th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Thanks for posting this recipe.