How to Bake Bar Cookies

If you're looking for a fast and easy way to bake cookies, bar cookies are the way to go. You bake all your cookies in a single batch with less prep time and less clean-up. There are countless variations on the traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe, but a good formula for add-ins is -- besides one cup of chocolate chips -- one cup of dried fruit, one cup of nuts and one cup of a textured ingredient, such as oatmeal or coconut. Substitute and experiment until you find the combination of add-ins you like best.

Things You'll Need

• 2 sticks (1 c., or 8 oz.) butter
• 3/4 c. white sugar
• 3/4 c. packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 c. white chocolate chips
• 1 c. dried cherries, roughly chopped
• 1 c. chopped pecans (raw or toasted)
• 1 c. shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• 15" x 10" pan, greased
• Knife

Instructions

1. Let the butter soften at room temperature for an hour or two.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

3. Cream the butter with the sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

4. Slowly add flour, baking soda and salt until well mixed.

5. Stir in the white chocolate chips, cherries, pecans and coconut until evenly incorporated.

6. Spread the cookie dough into the pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

7. Cool the cookies in the pan before cutting into bars.

Tips & Warnings

• Another good (and unusual) combination is chocolate chips, raisins, oatmeal and chopped dried mango.

References

• Toll House: Original Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe