Cookie Bars

Cookie Bars Make the Perfect Pitch-In Dessert!

Fall always make me want to bake. I can't even help it. And thankfully, we tend to have events that need baked goods. This fall, our oldest is a freshman and is playing football.

#42 - Friday Night Lights!

It's been a lot of hard work for him and a lot of fun for our family. Each game week of the season, the football families gather for dinner on Thursday nights. Tonight, my contribution was cookie bars. My packed schedule meant that I didn't have time a lot ot time to make something and these were perfect. This recipe could very easily be adapted to whatever flavors you want! And this makes a huge pan (12x17), so halve the recipe if you don't want as many or give some away. 

These can be made in one bowl and you do not need a mixer! 

These taste as good as they look!

COOKIE BARS

3 sticks butter (1 1/2 c.), melted

2 c. brown sugar

1 c. sugar

3 eggs

1 Tb. vanilla extract

4 1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3-4 c. baking chips (I used a combo of chopped Rolo candy, dark chocolate chunks, and a bag of milk chocolate toffee bits, but you can use whatever you want!)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line pan with foil and grease with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, stir together butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and stir until combined. Add flour, salt, and baking soda and mix together. Stir in most of the baking chips - reserving some of the toffee bits for the top). Press mixture into the prepared pan (it will be thick). Sprinkle toffee bits or chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely and cut into squares. 

I warned you that it makes a huge pan!

VARIATIONS (these are ideas that I have yet to actually make): 

Citrus White Chocolate - 1 1/2 tsp. lemon or orange extract in place of half of the vanilla, zest of 3 lemons, oranges, or limes and 2 c chopped white chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Chocolate - Add peanut butter chips and dark chocolate chips. Drizzle with melted peanut butter and/or dark chocolate

Butterscotch Oat - Reduce flour by 1 c. and add 2 c. oats, 2 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 c. butterscotch chips

Coconut Toffee - Add 1 bag sweetned coconut and 1 bag of toffee bits

Candy Bar Cookies - Chop up your favorite candy bars or add some M&Ms.

Really, the ideas are endless. Hope you enjoy!

** I'm working to add the printable URL link - my apologies that I can't get it working tonight.