How to turn any cookie recipe into a Cookie Bar

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This is your complete guide on how to convert your favorite cookie recipe into a cookie bar!

If you know me, you know I love a good cookie bar! They’re faster and easier than scooping out and baking dozens of individual cookies but they still taste amazing. So I totally understand why I often get asked if one of my cookie recipes can be baked as a bar instead.

Here’s the short answer: yes, you can convert some cookies into a cookie bar.

Rockstar bars cut into squares and stacked on the counter.

What cookies will work as bars?

There are certain cookie recipes that lend themselves really well to being a bar cookie. Your ideal candidates include:

Drop cookies (meaning a cookie that you normally scoop and bake)
Cookies with a thicker dough
Recipes that bake up chewy

Note: If your base cookie recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, it will typically work well in a 9×13 pan baked at 350°F for 17-20 minutes.

If your base cookie recipe calls for 1 ½ cups of butter, I convert the recipe to ⅔ of a batch and bake in a 9×13 for 17-20ish minutes at 350°F.

What cookies aren’t ideal as bars?

Cookies that you roll out
Meringue or macaron cookies
Or delicate shortbread style cookies (this can work, but it’s a different bar vibe, kind of like my Poptart Cookie Bars).

How long should I bake Bar Cookies?

Even if you are using the exact same dough as your favorite cookie, the same dough + a different pan will require a different bake time and yield a different texture.

When baking a bar cookie, I recommend using a 9×13 for most drop cookie recipes. When you press the dough into the pan, it should be about 3/4in to 1in thick prior to baking for the best finished thickness. Most bar cookies will bake in about 17-25 minutes in a 9×13, depending on the thickness of the dough.

If you’re choosing to bake in an 8×8, it will likely take between 25-35 minutes.

If you’re choosing to bake in a 9×9, it will likely take between 20-30 minutes.

But rather than solely relying on a timer, here are a few things you can watch for to know when your bars are done:

The edges are set and lightly golden
The center is puffed and no longer wet/shiny
The internal temp of the cookie bar is at least 165°F.

Pro tip: your bars will keep cooking as they cool, so pull them out a little earlier than you think to ensure they don’t overbake!

Stack of lemon meltaway bars next to a lemon.

Cookie Bar FAQ:

What do I do if the middle is raw but the edges are done?

Next time try decreasing the oven temperature by 25°F, use a lighter pan, and don’t overpack the dough.

How do I fix dry/crumbly cookie bars?

These are likely overbaked! Try baking for less time. Remember: bars will continue to bake in the pan after they have been removed from the oven.

Why are my cookie bars too gooey to cut?

First, make sure your cookie bars are completely cool before trying to cut them. If they are cool and still a little too gooey, try baking 3-5 minutes longer next time.

How do I get clean sliced cookie bars?

Allow the cookies to cool completely! You can even chill for 30 minutes before slicing. Then, use a large knife to cut straight through, wiping between cuts.

How do I store cookie bars?

Once your bars have cooled completely, store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months!