33 Awesome Cookie Bar Recipes

Forget the hassle of forming individual cookies for dessert. Slice and share these cookie bar recipes instead.

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Chocolate Chip Blondies

Folks who love the flavor of the classic cookie will enjoy that same great flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois

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Golden M&M’s Cookie Bars

Our family loves to take drives, and I often bring these M&M cookie bars along for snacking in the car. —Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
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Chocolate Oat Squares

When you bring these treats to a gathering, guests will be tempted to start at the dessert table. Chock-full of chocolate and walnuts, they will satisfy any sweet tooth. I often make a second batch just for my family.
-Jennifer Eilts, Central City, Nebraska
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

My chocolate chip cookie bars are often requested at church dinners. They’re tasty and easy to serve. —Barbara Witte, Irving, Texas

Hungry for more? Try these Betty Crocker’s carrot cookies.

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Buttery 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookie Bars

With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
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Macaroon Bars

Guests will never recognize the refrigerated crescent roll dough that goes into these almond-flavored bars. You can assemble these chewy coconut treats in no time. —Carolyn Kyzer, Alexander, Arkansas
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies

Everyone loves these peanut butter chocolate chip brownies. It’s hard to eat just one! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Chewy Peanut Butter Pan Squares

With seven of us in our family, including two teenage boys, these peanut butter squares never last long! It's hard to believe how simple they are to prepare. —Deb DeChant, Milan, Ohio
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Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

I've been asked to share this marshmallow chocolate bar recipe more than any other in my collection. It's a longtime favorite of our three daughters. How many times we've all made these, I can't count. — Esther Shank, Harrisonville, Virginia
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Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars

What did I do when I couldn’t decide between two of my favorite desserts? I combined them! This snickerdoodle-blondie hybrid proved even better with caramel, always a favorite ingredient. —Niki Plourde, Gardner, Massachusetts
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No-Bake Cereal Cookie Bars

We pull out all the goodies for these chewy bars, like raisins and coconut. For more color, sprinkle on the M&M’s once the bars are in the pan. Then press them in. —Connie Craig, Lakewood, Washington
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Cinnamon Pecan Bars

I’m a special ed teacher, and we bake these bars in my life skills class. It’s an easy recipe that my special-needs students have fun preparing. —Jennifer Peters, Adams Center, New York
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Shortbread Lemon Bars

I’ve put together two family cookbooks over the years, and this recipe ranks among my favorites. These special lemon bars have a yummy shortbread crust and a refreshing flavor. I never hesitate to make this dessert for guests since I know it will be a hit. —Margaret Peterson, Forest City, Iowa
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Butterfinger Cookie Bars

My boys went through a phase where they loved Butterfingers. We made Butterfinger shakes, muffins, cookies and experimented with different bars; this one was voted the best of the bunch. Make sure you have an extra candy bar on hand because it’s hard to resist a nibble or two while you’re chopping. —Barbara Leighty, Simi Valley, California
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Easy Cake Mix Cookie Bars

I take this dessert to work for Friday pick-me-ups. It’s one of my favorite yellow cake bar recipes. I love to share them because they’re so easy to eat, easy to make and easy on the wallet. —Amy Rose, Ballwin, Missouri
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Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars

When asked to bring a dessert for my boys' football team to share, I whipped up these unique blondies and was instantly named "the greatest mom" by all. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
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Behr Track Cookie Bars

The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in these ooey-gooey, salty-sweet peanut butter bars. A lot of people comment that the pretzels in the filling are a pleasant surprise. Just make sure to cut cookie bars small—they’re super rich. —Megan Behr, Marion, Iowa
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Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars

These cranberry cookie bars combine two beloved holiday flavors and top a delicious soft crust with cream cheese icing. We enjoy these during the holiday season. —Jennifer Blakely, Visalia, California
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Chocolate Chunk Walnut Blondies

Put a stack of these beauties out at a potluck, and you’ll find only crumbs on your platter when it’s time to head home. Everyone will be asking who made those scrumptious blondies, so be sure to bring copies of the recipe! —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Food Editor
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Yummy Cookie Bars

I received this recipe from a special co-worker at school, and it is always a huge success when I make them. It works great to make them a day in advance. It will allow the bars to set and be cut easier.
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Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies

I converted these blondies to be gluten free so that my family could enjoy a comforting dessert. We were craving brownies one night, and these cakelike treats hit the spot. They are a fantastic spin on gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Becky Klope, Loudonville, New York
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Salted Pecan Shortbread Squares

My shortbread squares are the ultimate go-to for cookie trays and gift-giving. The buttery caramel and toasted nuts make it tough to eat just one. —Diana Ashcraft, Monmouth, Oregon
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Date-Nut Honey Bars

The flavor combination here reminds me of baklava—without the hours of work! These bars are perfect for holiday gifts, party platters and bake sales. They never fail to impress. —Anna Wood, Cullowhee, North Carolina
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Loaded M&M Oreo Cookie Bars

We’re all so busy and pressed for time that I find myself creating recipes that are generally fast to prepare, proving that you don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen to obtain fabulous results. Here’s a favorite of mine that combines crunchy M&M’s and gooey chocolate all nestled into a flavorful blondie. —Averie Sunshine, San Diego, California (www.averiecooks.com)
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Triple-Layer Cookie Bars

My family just loves these chewy chocolate and peanutty bars. They're perfect for dessert and snacks. I make them whenever I get a craving for something sweet and special. —Diane Bradley, Sparta, Michigan
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Chocolate Oat Bars

These chocolate oat bars are one of my favorite go-to snacks. I love that I usually have all the items on hand and can whip them up quickly. —John Kleckner, Muscoda, Wisconsin
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Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread Bars

My Scottish grandmother was renowned for her baking, and one of the highlights whenever we visited my grandparents was her bringing out the baking tin. Her shortbread cookies were my favorite, and now, whenever I make them, I remember her. This is not a thin, crispy dessert shortbread; it’s a deep bar that is best served with a cup of tea. —Jane Kelly, Wayland, Massachusetts
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Peanut Butter Cake Bars

These cake-like bars are packed with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and they are perfect for any occasion. Kids and adults alike are in for a treat with these gems. —Charlotte Ennis, Lake Arthur, New Mexico
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No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

I have to be super careful when cooking for my daughter because of food sensitivities, so I make these no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars with certified gluten-free oats. Everyone loves these bars when we go to picnics or potlucks, and I know there will be a dessert for my daughter! —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
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Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars

These rich, gooey bars are my most-requested treats. They’re popular at school functions, family barbecues and picnics. We like them alone or topped off with a scoop of ice cream. —Betty Hagerty, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Oreo Rice Krispies Treat Cookie Bars

These Oreo Rice Krispies Treats are chewy on the inside with a crispy, crunchy cookie top. Not only are they tasty, but the crumbled cookies make for a sweet presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars

These peanut butter energy bars are made with natural ingredients, and there's no baking required! You can substitute sunflower seeds for the walnuts. Want more fiber? Add a little wheat germ. —Amy Crane, Richland, Michigan
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Mincemeat Cookie Bars

My daughter won the grand champion title at the Alaska State Fair with these bars when she was 10. The topping is delicious but a bit crumbly; for neatly edged cookies, freeze before cutting. —Mary Bohanan, Sparks, Nevada

Annamarie Higley
Annamarie is Taste of Home’s Shopping Editor and previously worked on the brand’s magazine and special issues. It was during this time she tapped into her love language, gifts, and spearheaded the print holiday gift guides in 2021 and 2022. She’s thrilled to continue creating gift guides full time for the shopping team, in addition to testing and reviewing products, spotlighting viral gadgets and editing freelanced content. A midwestern transplant from the San Francisco Bay Area, she enjoys hiking, crafting and—you guessed it!—shopping and cooking.
Christina Herbst
Christina is a Social Media Editor for Taste of Home. She enjoys trying out local restaurants and coffeehouses and adding copious amounts of garlic and cheese to any recipe she can get her hands on. In her free time, you can find her hunting down one-of-a-kind furniture pieces at thrift and vintage stores and DIYing trendy home decor crafts.