Making festive holiday treats is so much fun! And this Easter, I’ve made this chewy, gooey cookie bar for my loved ones to enjoy!
These Easter Themed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are filled with mini chocolate chips, pieces of chocolate bars, and topped with chocolate Easter egg candies. They also have a thick, rich layer of condensed milk in the middle, which give them that soft center. What could be better?
How are the Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars made?
For these cookie bars, I use the same recipe that I use for my chocolate chip cookies. But, instead of scooping out spoonfuls of dough. I divide the dough in half, pressing one half down in a 9×13 pan, and then adding the second half after the condensed milk and chocolate pieces are added. I also use mini chocolate chips instead of regular sized chips.
Why use condensed milk in the center?
A layer of condensed milk is added to the middle of the bars to give it a soft, gooey center. Without the condensed milk, the bars would not have that great texture.
Tips for making these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars:
The recipe calls for both all purpose flour and bread flour. Bread flour is used because bread flour raises the protein to enable more gluten formation. If you don’t have bread flour, you can use pastry flour or only use all purpose flour.
Two dark chocolate bars chopped are placed on top of the condensed milk layer. There are many types of chocolate bars. I prefer the 72% dark chocolate because the flavor is richer. Any percentage that’s the same or higher or even milk chocolate will work too. It depends on your preference.
Parchment paper is used to line the pan. I find it easier to lift the baked bars out using it. If you don’t have parchment, non-stick foil or greasing the pan with cooking spray can be used as well.
Here are other Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes you will love too:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These Easter Themed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are filled with mini chocolate chips, pieces of chocolate bars, and topped with chocolate Easter egg candies.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup bread flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
- 1 can Eagle Brand Milk condensed milk
- 2 3.5 oz chocolate bars, chopped
- Mini Chocolate Easter Eggs
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In a saucepan or microwave, melt butter. Slightly cool and pour into a mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Beat in a stand mixer or hand mixer until blended. Add eggs. Beat again. Add dry ingredients. Mix until incorporated. Add mini chocolate chips and stir.
Press half of the cookie dough into a parchment lined 9×13 baking pan. Pour Condensed Milk over the cookie dough. Stop about 1/2 inch to the edges of the cookie dough so it does not touch the sides of the pan.
Add the chopped chocolate bars on top of the condensed milk layer, spreading them completely over the surface.
Use a spoon to scoop the rest of the dough. Flatten the dough with your hands and place it on top of the condensed milk until the whole area is covered with dough. Add the chocolate eggs on top of the dough so that they are spread out on top of the surface.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the center is just set. Cool completely, then cut into bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Beth
March 28, 2022 at 5:56 pmWhile you state what to do with the chocolate bars in your write up, you neglected to include it in the actual recipe instructions. Look delicious and can’t wait to try them.
Peaches2Peaches
March 28, 2022 at 6:04 pmYou’re right! Great catch. Thanks for letting me know. I will update the recipe now 🙂
jennifer
March 28, 2022 at 6:55 pmwhat kind of candy bars did you use ?
Peaches2Peaches
March 29, 2022 at 10:37 amHi Jennifer! I used Ghirardelli 72% dark chocolate bars for this recipe 🙂
Beverly
April 1, 2022 at 12:33 pmWhat kind of easter eggs did you put on top of the bars?
Peaches2Peaches
April 2, 2022 at 4:35 pmHi Beverly, I used Cadbury Chocolate Mini Eggs.
Marsha
April 6, 2022 at 9:23 amI was thinking Easter M&M’s on top
Peaches2Peaches
April 6, 2022 at 9:32 amI actually had both and went with the Cadburys at the last minute. So the Easter m&m’s would work great too! 🙂
Becki
April 2, 2022 at 4:09 pmWould it be feasible to substitute chocolate chips for the candy bars?
Peaches2Peaches
April 2, 2022 at 4:33 pmYou definitely can. You can use 1 cup of chocolate chips instead of the 2 chocolate bars. Hope this helps 🙂
TK
April 3, 2022 at 7:14 amJust wondering, it says store up to 3 days, do the bars ever last three days 😁😁😁🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I’ll bet NOT! I’m making this recipe ❤️
Peaches2Peaches
April 26, 2023 at 11:11 amHaha! They can, but they definitely don’t! They’re too good. Lol!