The next time you have a craving, but can't quite pinpoint the want, keep this recipe for Kitchen Sink Cookies Bars handy. It's like combining your favorite cookies and dessert bars with fun mix-ins in every bite. It's the most wonderful thing to make, combining sweet treats and salty snacks.
There isn't just one word to describe kitchen sink cookie bars. The chocolate pieces are the perfect sweet mix-ins in this great recipe, while the small pretzel pieces add crunch. Varying the mix-ins is part of the appeal, making the ability to change up the flavor of these kitchen sink bars every time you make them.
Perfect for a fun party or a weekend snack, there's really no wrong time to give them a go. Just gather the list of simple ingredients below to get started.
Be sure to try my Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars and these Cookies and Cream Cookie Bars for two other sweet treats.
Ingredients
- Butter - I use salted butter for this recipe, but unsalted butter can be used as well.
- White sugar - For sweetness.
- Brown sugar - You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract - For flavor.
- Flour - I use all-purpose flour.
- Baking soda - For texture.
- Salt - Even a pinch will enhance the other flavors.
- Mix ins - I add chocolate chips, M&Ms, crushed potato chips, chopped pretzels, caramel bits, and flaky sea salt or coarse salt for sprinkling on top of the bars.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add parchment paper to a 9X13 pan.
Step One: Cream the sugars and butter until smooth in a large bowl. Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs.
Step Two: Mix in half of the flour, baking soda, and salt until smooth. Add the rest of the flour and mix until incorporated. Add the mix ins.
Step Three: Fold in all the mix-ins. You want them to be evenly distributed.
Step Four: Press the dough into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the salt on top.
Step Five: Put the pan in the oven and bake for 24-26 minutes.
Step Six: Let cool, then slice and serve.
Top Tip
Once you add the cookie bar mixture to the pan, spread the top into an even layer so that it bakes evenly. I use my fingers. But you can also use a rubber spatula to do this easily.
Variations
- Other mix ins - The list is really endless on what you can add. You could add peanut butter morsels, small pieces of candy bars, chunks of cookie dough bites, or anything else that you can dream up.
- Chocolate chips - Have fun with the options. You can add semi-sweet, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips, or a mixture of all of them.
See these Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars for another simple, sweet dessert treat.
Equipment
All you need to make these dessert bars are a stand mixer and bowl of a stand mixer, a prepared pan, and measuring cups for accuracy. So simple!
Storage
Once the dessert is baked and cooled, store the leftovers in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature or in the fridge.
You can also keep the sweet treats in a freezer-safe container in the freezer. To thaw, move to the fridge for a short time.
Common Questions
The top should be a golden brown color, and the middle of the bars shouldn't be jiggly. You'll likely also notice that the edges of the bars are starting to brown as well.
Be sure to let them cool down completely before cutting. If you try to cut too early, they will likely crumble a bit. The key is to let them cool so they slice cleanly and easily.
You can. Once you make the cookie dough, you can make these into individual cookies instead of bars. Just give them space on a prepared baking sheet, and pay attention to how they look in the oven as the cookie time will likely vary. The tops will still turn golden brown, but watch the edges of the cookies for additional signs they're nearing done.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- White Chocolate Raspberry Brownies
- Peach Blondies
- Valentines Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- 3-Ingredient Brownies
📖 Recipe
Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup m&ms
- ½ cup crushed potato chips
- ½ cup chopped pretzels
- ½ cup caramel bits or toffee
- coarse salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
- Cream together the butter and sugars until smooth.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in half the flour, the baking soda, and the salt until smooth. Add in the remaining flour just until incorporated.
- Fold in all the mix-ins. Sprinkle with the coarse salt.
- Bake for 24-26 minutes until the center no longer jiggles and the bars are golden brown. Cool completely.
Video
Nutrition
Like what you see? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & a 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!
Comments
No Comments