Imagine sinking your teeth into a decadent dessert that combines the rich, buttery texture of shortbread with the irresistible gooeyness of chocolate chip cookies. These Gooey Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars are not just a treat; they're a culinary experience that will transform your ordinary dessert time into an extraordinary moment of pure bliss. With a perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and chocolate goodness, these bars are guaranteed to become your new obsession and the star of every gathering!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess paper to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips gently, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a smooth top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. The bars will continue to set as they cool.
- Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 12 equal-sized bars.
- For best results, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The bars can also be refrigerated for extended freshness.
Tips
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for the smoothest, most consistent batter.
- Don't overmix the batter - mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the bars tender.
- For extra richness, use high-quality chocolate chips or even mix different types of chocolate.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat slices.
- For a professional touch, dust the bars with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.
- These bars freeze wonderfully - wrap individually for a quick dessert anytime!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 95mg
