Double Chocolate Cookie Bars
Indulge in these rich and decadent Double Chocolate Cookie Bars that combine the beloved flavors of chocolate sandwich cookies and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for chocolate lovers, these bars are easy to make and are ideal for parties, potlucks, or a sweet treat at home.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Combine cookie crumbs and margarine; press firmly on bottom of 13 x 9-inch pan.
- In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.
- Pour evenly over prepared crust.
- Top with nuts and remaining chips.
- Bake 20 minutes or until set; cool.
- Chill if desired.
- Cut into bars.
- Store tightly covered at room temperature.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. If you don't have margarine, unsalted butter works well as a substitute. Press the cookie crust firmly to ensure it holds together. You can also add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking to enhance the chocolate flavor. Consider pairing these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Serving Suggestions
These Double Chocolate Cookie Bars make a delightful dessert on their own but can be enhanced with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. They pair well with coffee or milk for a sweet afternoon snack. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a slice of Mildred Pardue's Blue Ribbon Carrot Cake for a dessert buffet.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookie bars tightly covered at room temperature for up to one week. If you prefer them chilled, refrigerate in an airtight container for a firmer texture. To reheat, place a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, just until warm. This makes them soft and gooey again, perfect for a quick treat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Double Chocolate Cookie Bars contains roughly 452 calories, with 8g protein, 62g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is a good source of protein (15% of the Daily Value) and calcium (11% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use gluten-free cookies for the crust?
Yes, you can substitute gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies to make this recipe gluten-free. Just ensure that the other ingredients you use are also gluten-free. The texture may vary slightly, but the flavor will still be delicious.
How can I make these cookie bars less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, consider using a bittersweet or dark chocolate for the chips and cutting down on the sweetened condensed milk. You can also omit the nuts if they are sweetened or use unsweetened varieties to balance the flavors.
What can I use instead of nuts?
If you or your guests have nut allergies, you can simply omit the nuts or substitute with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for added texture. You could also add dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for a chewy element.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).