There are so many reasons to love bar cookies. For starters, they're quicker and easier to make than their classic cookie cousins. There's also no need to worry that you haven't portioned them correctly, resulting in some cookies that will brown too much in the time it takes to get others to bake through. There's also no fear that your cookies will melt into one another in a blob-like mess, and there's no transferring hot cookies one by one to a cooling rack.
Simply put, bar cookies are a one-and-done solution to your dessert or treat needs. They're a no-fuss crowd-pleaser and a staple of potlucks and bake sales. Consider the bar cookie the low-maintenance, reliable alternative to its more demanding singular counterparts. Make a batch the next time the urge to bake something delicious strikes.
23 Types of Cookies You Should Know How to Make
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Chocolate-Coconut Bars
Few people can say no to one of these coconut chocolate bars. They’re inspired by a popular Southern dessert known as Hello Dolly bars. They’re egg-free but packed with sweet ingredients. A graham cracker crust holds a layer of pecans and chocolate chips, then comes sweetened condensed milk and sweetened shredded coconut.
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02of 25
Lemon-Date Bars
These treats take the classic lemon bar to a new level of deliciousness. Adding a layer of homemade date paste between the rich crust and the luscious lemony topping is a stroke of sheer genius.
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03of 25
Chocolate-Cherry Granola Bars
Nut-free and gluten-free, these bars are made with store-bought granola and puffed rice cereal and packed with chocolate chips and dried cherries. They’re easy to make and easy to eat.
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04of 25
Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Caramel Cereal Bars
There are three layers of deliciousness here: crispy, marshmallow-laden rice cereal as the base, a layer of peanut butter caramel, and a bittersweet chocolate topping.
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Date Bars
Chewy and irresistible, these classic bar cookies have a simple filling that shows off the sweet flavor of dates, a rich buttery base, and a wholesome oat topping.
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Coconut Cream Bars
Their name says it all, these rich, creamy bar cookies are packed with coconut. It’s in the shortbread crumb crust and the custard filling, plus toasted coconut is used to garnish the whipped cream topping.
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07of 25
Snickerdoodle Crumb Bars
Everything you love about old-fashioned snickerdoodles, but better! A ribbon of cinnamon sugar runs through the middle of these chewy cookie bars and there's a crunchy cinnamon topping, too.
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08of 25
Chewy Brownies
Are you forever in pursuit of the ultimate brownie recipe? We think this recipe strikes the perfect balance between cakey and fudgy.
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09of 25
Pumpkin Bars
A cross between a bar cookie and a sheet cake, a generous layer of cream cheese frosting takes these pumpkin spice cake bars to greatness.
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10of 25
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
The ultra-easy press-in crust and rich, chewy-crunchy chocolate and pecan filling will guarantee this recipe's place in your permanent collection.
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Peach-Pie Crumble Bars
Sometimes simplicity really does equal perfection. The sweet and buttery press-in crust that serves as the base of these luscious peach pie bars doubles as the crumble topping. Don't limit yourself to peaches, either: You can use any stone fruit in this recipe!
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Homemade Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Get nostalgic and whip up a sweet-salty batch of PB&J bars using your favorite flavor of jam.
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13of 25
No-Bake Chocolate-Almond Oat Bars
In addition to being egg- and gluten-free, these decadent-tasting treats are also free of refined sugars. They're rich with almond butter and dark chocolate, chopped almonds provide crunch, and honey and raisins bring sweetness. It's hard to have just one.
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14of 25
Key Lime Bars
Just like the pie, but portable! These tart bars are based on the famous Key lime pie recipe from Joe's Stone Crab in Miami.
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Big Almond-Orange-Ginger Cookie
Ginger and cardamom add a lively lift to the toasted almond cookie base of these glistening marmalade-topped bar cookies. We cut it into pie-like wedges, but you can certainly go with the more traditional bar shape if you like.
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16of 25
Elizabeth's Eggnog Cheesecake Bars
Eggnog, freshly grated nutmeg, and a splash of brandy give warm holiday flavor to these cheesecake bars. This recipe uses a traditional graham cracker crust, but feel free to substitute gingersnaps for extra pep.
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17of 25
Chocolaty Pretzel-and-Peanut Cookie Bars
A pretzel crust, a layer of condensed milk, and a topping of co*cktail peanuts plus dark chocolate and pretzel pieces give these cookie bars a decadent sweet yet satisfyingly salty dimension.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Turn everyone's favorite cookie into a bar! It's a revolutionary action but it works.
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Crispy Cereal Treats
These bars are just right for lunchboxes or an after-school snack. Our recipe has four variations that use the same marshmallow base, so you can decide if you want to take the treats in a chocolatey, tropical, or fruity direction.
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Big-Batch Triple-Chocolate Brownie Bars
Who doesn't want to make a big batch of brownie bars? This recipe is made in a sheet pan and yields 54 deeply chocolatey treats.
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Zesty Lemon Bars
At once rich and tart, these lemon bars are one of Martha's favorite treats.
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Spiced Fruitcake Bars
Forget everything you think you know about fruitcake. These buttery beauties are packed with cherries, cranberries, apricots, currants, and walnuts and will never be regifted.
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23of 25
Blackberry Crumb Bars
These cake-like bar cookies are a portable version of berry crumble. Use any kind of fresh or frozen berries you fancy.
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Chocolate-Caramel Cookie Bars
Rich and gooey chocolate caramel tops a buttery brown-sugar crust. A dusting of crunchy sea salt on top provides the perfect counterpoint.
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Hermit Bars
Some things never go out of style, like these old-fashioned chewy molasses bars full of ginger, cinnamon, and raisins. Another reason they're a classic is that they keep well—that is, if everyone doesn't eat them up the moment they're cool enough to try!
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