Happy New Year! I have to say that January 1 is becoming one of my favorite holidays as I get older. It’s a fresh start! This year you can do anything. I’m still working on my resolutions from last year, because I’m not quite there yet. Over the holidays, my anxiety level was out of control and I did so much worrying that I almost ruined it for myself. I had a couple helpful conversations with my fiance and one of my best friends back in Michigan and this year I’m embracing not saying “sorry” and I will focus on not assuming the worst out of every situation. It’s a struggle, y’all!
To get ready to bust into the new year, I celebrated last night with some friends here in WV and wanted to bring some sweets to share. But, trying to get dolled up for the theme as a Bond Girl and get out the door on time proved to be too much for me and I forgot them at home! I guess I’ll be celebrating the new year today by eating a bunch of cookie bars. Poor me!
I loved making cookie dough into bars when I made these Eggnog Cookie Bites, so I thought I’d try it again with these chocolate chip cookie bars! You don’t have to bake them in several batches like you would with cookies. You press the dough into a dish, bake once, and be done. I love that! I added some chocolate and sprinkles on top because why not?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe:
1 cup + 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter – room temperature
6 Tablespoons granulated sugar
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg
1 cup chocolate chips + 1/2 cup for the topping
Sprinkles
Pre-heat oven to 375-degrees.
In a medium size bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In your mixing bowl, add your softened butter and both brown and white sugars. Cream together with your stand mixer or hand mixer on medium speed until it becomes a fluffy paste.
Add your egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
Use a large spoon to add your flour mixture, 1/3 at a time until it’s all incorporated.
Add your chocolate chips and mix just until they’re distributed into the dough.
Spread your dough into an ungreased 8×8 baking dish. You can double the recipe and make a 13×9 pan.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edges are brown and you can insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean.
While the cookie bars are still warm from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips over the top. Let melt for 1 minute.
Spread the chocolate out in a layer covering all the bars. Sprinkle the top with colored sprinkles or a topping of your choice.
Let the bars cool and the chocolate topping set. Cut into bars and share with friends (if you can remember to bring them where they need to go).
Do you have any resolutions this year? How did your 2014 goals turn out?
