20 Quick Cookie Bars Ready In Less Than 45 Minutes

You want dessert fast, without babysitting trays of cookies or tracking batch times. These quick cookie bars deliver that gooey center, chewy edge, and fresh baked smell in under 45 minutes.

Grab a bowl, a whisk, and a pan, and you are basically there. Slice, snack, and watch the pan disappear before it cools.

1. Classic chocolate chip cookie bars

Start with melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla, because you are chasing that bakery chew. Stir in an egg, whisk just until glossy, then fold in flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.

Add heaps of chocolate chips, press the dough into a lined pan, and finish with a light sprinkle of flaky salt.

These bars bake quickly and slice clean once set, but warm squares are irresistible. Expect gooey centers and crisp edges that taste like nostalgia.

Keep this recipe on standby for last minute cravings and weeknight dessert wins.

2. Brown sugar blondie bars

Blondies rely on brown sugar for caramel notes and soft chew. Melt butter, whisk with packed brown sugar, vanilla, and one egg until thick and glossy.

Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt, then stir through chips or chopped chocolate for pockets of sweetness.

Spread the batter into a lined pan and bake until the top turns golden with faint cracks. The edges firm up quickly while the center stays tender.

Cool briefly, slice generously, and enjoy a butterscotch forward treat that feels special with minimal effort.

3. Peanut butter cookie bars

Creamy peanut butter turns simple pantry staples into something rich and satisfying. Whisk peanut butter with brown sugar, an egg, vanilla, and a dash of milk for softness.

Fold in flour, baking soda, and salt, then scatter chocolate chunks if you want that classic pairing.

Press the thick dough into a lined pan and score the top lightly. Bake until set at the edges and softly puffed in the middle.

Let cool briefly so slices hold shape, then enjoy salty sweet bars that taste like childhood favorites with grown up ease.

4. Oatmeal chocolate chip bars

Old fashioned oats bring hearty chew and toasty flavor to cookie bars. Stir melted butter with brown sugar, an egg, vanilla, and a splash of milk.

Fold in rolled oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, then add chocolate chips for melty contrast.

Press into a pan and bake until the top is lightly bronzed and edges pull away. The texture lands between cookie and granola bar, but sweeter and softer.

Slice warm for gooey chips or cool for tidier squares you can pack and snack.

5. Double chocolate fudgy cookie bars

When brownie cravings hit but you want cookie energy, go double chocolate. Whisk melted butter with sugar and cocoa powder until smooth and thick.

Beat in an egg and vanilla, then fold flour, espresso pinch, and salt until streaks just disappear.

Stir in chopped dark chocolate for molten pockets. Spread batter into a lined pan and bake until a shiny crackle forms on top.

The center should feel set but still soft. Cool slightly for clean slices, or dive in warm for peak fudginess.

6. M&M cookie bars

These bars bring party energy with minimal work. Cream butter and sugars briefly, then mix in egg and vanilla until smooth.

Fold in flour, baking soda, and salt, then shower the dough with M&Ms and a few chocolate chips for extra melt.

Press into a pan and dot more candies on top for that bakery look. Bake until edges are set and the center barely jiggles.

Cool just enough to slice without smearing colors. Expect crisp edges, chewy centers, and a rainbow crunch in every bite.

7. Snickerdoodle cookie bars

All the cozy flavor of snickerdoodles without rolling a single ball. Stir melted butter, sugar, and vanilla with an egg until creamy.

Fold in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt for that classic tang, then spread into a pan.

Blanket the top with cinnamon sugar and bake until puffed with crackly edges. The sugar crust shatters when sliced, revealing a soft, buttery interior.

Serve warm with coffee or milk and enjoy that nostalgic cinnamon hug you wanted tonight.

8. Sugar cookie bars with quick glaze

Soft and simple wins here. Beat butter and sugar just until fluffy, then add egg, vanilla, and a touch of almond extract.

Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt. Spread the pillowy dough into a pan and smooth the top.

Bake until just set and lightly golden. Whisk a quick glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, and drizzle over warm bars for a shiny finish.

Add sprinkles if you like celebration energy. Once the glaze sets, slice and share tidy, tender squares.

9. Funfetti cookie bars

Channel birthday cake without the planning. Cream butter and sugar briefly, then mix in egg, vanilla, and a kiss of almond extract for bakery vibes.

Fold in flour, baking powder, salt, and lots of rainbow jimmies that will not bleed like nonpareils.

Press into a pan, smooth the top, and add extra sprinkles for pop. Bake until edges set and the center stays soft.

Cool, slice, and watch them disappear at any gathering. These bars promise confetti cheer with weeknight effort.

10. White chocolate cranberry bars

Sweet white chocolate meets tart cranberries for that bakery case look. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until glossy.

Fold in flour, baking powder, salt, and a bit of orange zest if you want brightness. Stir through white chips and dried cranberries.

Spread into a pan and bake until lightly golden at the edges. Drizzle with melted white chocolate while warm for shine.

Cool to set, then slice into pretty squares that feel festive without extra fuss. Perfect for office trays or quick holiday gifts.

11. S’mores cookie bars

Bring the campfire inside. Press a quick graham crumb crust with melted butter and sugar into a pan.

Top with a simple cookie dough dotted with chocolate chunks, then scatter mini marshmallows over everything.

Bake until the marshmallows are golden and the dough is set. Let the pan rest so slices hold shape, though gooey pulls are part of the fun.

Every bite hits buttery graham, melty chocolate, and toasty marshmallow in one fast bar.

12. Salted caramel chocolate chip bars

Upgrade chocolate chip bars with a lazy caramel swirl. Mix your simple dough, then dollop store bought caramel sauce on top.

Drag a knife through to create ribbons without fully mixing.

Bake until the edges are set and caramel bubbles slightly. Finish with flaky salt to balance sweetness.

Cool long enough to slice without leaks, then enjoy pockets of caramel that taste like triple effort with single bowl energy.

13. Oreo cookie bars

Crush a sleeve of Oreos and stir them into a simple vanilla dough. The crumbs flavor the batter while bigger chunks add crunch.

Press into a pan, then stud the top with more cookie pieces for that unmistakable look.

Bake until puffed and lightly golden at the edges. Let cool so slices remain neat, revealing black and white marbling throughout.

Each bite delivers creamy chocolate cookie vibes without any complicated steps.

14. Nutella swirl bars

Nutella makes everything feel elevated with almost no effort. Spread vanilla cookie dough in a pan, then spoon warm Nutella over the top.

Use a butter knife to marble it into thick ribbons without over mixing.

Bake until the swirls set and the edges brown slightly. Cool for cleaner lines, or slice while warm for indulgent smears.

The hazelnut chocolate flavor hits fast, making these a last minute showstopper dessert that looks bakery made.

15. Coconut chocolate chip bars

Toasty coconut brings underrated depth to classic cookie bars. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla, then fold in flour, baking powder, and salt.

Stir in chocolate chips and sweetened shredded coconut for chew and aroma.

Press into a pan, sprinkle extra coconut on top, and bake until edges turn golden and flakes toast. The result is rich, chewy squares with tropical hints that pair beautifully with chocolate.

Slice and serve with coffee for an instant afternoon upgrade.

16. Maple pecan bars

Reach for maple syrup when you want cozy, grown up sweetness. Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and real maple until smooth.

Fold in flour, baking powder, salt, and a handful of toasted pecans.

Spread batter in a pan and bake until fragrant and set at the edges. Drizzle a quick maple glaze while warm for shine.

The nutty crunch and amber sweetness make these feel weekend worthy on a weeknight timeline.

17. Espresso chocolate chip bars

A pinch of espresso powder boosts chocolate flavor and adds subtle coffee depth. Stir it into melted butter and sugar, then whisk with egg and vanilla.

Fold in flour, baking powder, salt, and plenty of chopped chocolate.

Press into a pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake until edges firm and the center remains soft.

Pair slices with a latte or cold brew for grown up snack vibes that still feel playful.

18. Cherry almond bars

Almond extract does the most with the least effort. Mix a simple sugar cookie style dough with a touch of almond, then fold in chopped dried cherries.

Scatter sliced almonds on top for crunch and aroma.

Bake until the edges turn pale gold and the almonds toast. A delicate glaze made with powdered sugar and almond milk lifts the flavor.

Slice into neat bars that taste like a café treat made at home.

19. Lemon sugar cookie bars

When you need bright and zippy, lemon delivers fast. Rub zest into sugar to release oils, then whisk with melted butter, egg, vanilla, and lemon juice.

Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt for a tender crumb.

Spread in a pan and bake until just set. Glaze warm bars with a quick lemon icing and let it sheen over.

Cool, slice, and enjoy a sunny, not heavy dessert that resets the palate after dinner.