Original Nestle Toll House Cookie Bars

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on Feb 17, 2025

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Nestle Toll House cookie bars are the perfect mix of chewy, gooey, and chocolatey goodness. This easy recipe delivers that classic cookie flavor in a simple, shareable bar — no scooping required!

A plate of original Nestle Toll House cookie bars rests on a striped napkin, with more bars in a baking tray nearby. Two glasses of milk are placed in the background, offering a classic pairing.

There’s something magical about these cookie bars — maybe it’s the way the edges get perfectly crispy while the middle stays soft and chewy, or how the chocolate chips create these beautiful pockets of melty goodness throughout each square.

Whatever it is, these bars have been a regular lately when we’re craving something sweet, but I don’t want to spend time scooping individual cookies.

The best part is how ridiculously simple they are to bake. You’re basically making the classic Toll House cookie recipe that’s been around forever. But instead of dealing with multiple batches and rotating cookie sheets, you just spread all the dough in one pan and pop it in the oven.

It’s the kind of recipe that makes you look like a baking genius while barely lifting a finger!

Why You’ll Love These Nestle Toll House Cookie Bars
Recipe Ingredients
Popular Substitutions And Variations
How to Make Original Nestle Toll House Cookie Bars
Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips
How To Store Leftovers
More Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes to Try
Original Nestle Toll House Cookie Bars Recipe

A pan of chocolate chip cookie bars with several pieces cut out and placed on a white plate. The plate rests on a striped cloth, and two glasses of milk are nearby. A spatula is in the pan, next to the cookie bars.

Time Saver: Skip the scooping and multiple batches – just spread the dough in one pan and you’re done in half the time of regular cookies.
Perfect Texture: These cookie bars deliver the best of both worlds — chewy, slightly crisp edges and a soft, gooey center that’s irresistible. The even baking ensures every bite is packed with that classic cookie flavor and texture you crave.
Kid Friendly: Little ones can help spread the dough without worrying about making perfectly round shapes or spacing issues.
Customizable add-ins: The basic recipe is delicious on its own, but it’s also super versatile. Feel free to mix in your favorite ingredients — think chocolate chunks, white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even colorful M&Ms. You can tailor it to your taste or whatever you have on hand.

🍪 If you love easy desserts that taste like pure happiness, you need to try the cheater brookies recipe — it’s the kind of treat that disappears before it even cools down!

Recipe Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Butter
Sugar — both granulated and brown sugar
Vanilla extract
Eggs
Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips
Chopped nuts

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Baking essentials are neatly arranged on the table: flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, salt, and a package of Nestlé Toll House milk chocolate chips—everything needed to create scrumptious Nestlé Toll House cookie bars.

Popular Substitutions And Variations

Mix-In Options: Replace the chocolate chips with butterscotch chips, white chocolate chunks, or mint chips. For extra decadence, use a combination of dark chocolate chunks and caramel bits, or try peanut butter chips with chopped Reese’s cups.

Dietary Alternatives: Switch to a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-sensitive individuals, or use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version. You can also substitute flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg) for a vegan variation.

Base Variations: Transform the base by using half brown butter for a nutty, caramel flavor, or add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to create double chocolate bars. You can also incorporate 1 cup of crushed graham crackers for a s’mores-inspired twist.

mixing bowl in the process of making melt away Christmas cookie dough.

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients and preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with grease or parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients — flour, baking soda, and salt — in a medium bowl.

A stand mixer with an orange base is mixing cookie dough. The metal bowl contains a blend of flour and wet ingredients being mixed with a black paddle attachment. A yellow packet is partially visible in the background on a white countertop.

A mixing bowl filled with raw cookie dough mixed with chocolate chips and nuts, placed on a light surface.

Step 3: Beat butter, both sugars, and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, then beat in eggs one at a time.

Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients until mixed, then fold in chocolate chips and optional nuts.

A rectangular baking dish filled with unbaked chocolate chip cookie dough, placed on a light-colored surface. The dough is spread evenly with visible chocolate chips throughout.

A baking dish filled with freshly baked chocolate chip cookie bars. The edges are golden brown, and the surface is dotted with chocolate chips. A glass of milk sits nearby on a white surface with a striped cloth slightly visible under the dish.

Step 5: Spread dough evenly in prepared pan and bake 20-25 minutes until edges are golden and toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool completely before cutting into 35 squares.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these in a different size pan?

Yes! You can use a 13×9-inch pan, but the bars will be thicker and require about 5-7 minutes additional baking time. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking.

What’s the secret to getting clean-cut squares?

Let the bars cool completely – this is crucial. Use a sharp knife, and wipe it clean between cuts. For extra-clean cuts, refrigerate the bars for an hour before cutting.

Why did my cookie bars turn out too hard/crunchy?

Overbaking is usually the culprit. Remove the bars when the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly underdone – they’ll continue cooking as they cool. Also, make sure your butter is properly softened, not melted.

Why did my bars turn out greasy?

This can happen if the butter was too soft or melted before mixing. Make sure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch. Also, avoid overmixing, as it can cause the butter to separate.

A large pan filled with sliced chocolate chip blondies. One blondie is being lifted with a silver spatula. A small stack of blondies is on a white plate to the side, and a blue cloth peeks out from under the pan.

Expert Tips

Perfect Pan Prep: For easy removal, create a parchment paper sling by leaving excess paper hanging over the sides of the pan. This makes lifting the entire batch out effortless.
The Brown Sugar Secret: Gently pack your brown sugar when measuring – pressing too firmly can lead to dense, oversweet bars. If your brown sugar is hard, microwave it with a damp paper towel for 20 seconds.
Even Distribution: Toss chocolate chips in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter – this prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
Visual Doneness Guide: The perfect cookie bar should have a slight jiggle in the center when you gently shake the pan – it will set up as it cools. Don’t wait until it’s completely firm in the center or they’ll be overbaked.

How To Store Leftovers

Store these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For optimal freshness, include a slice of bread in the container, replacing it every 2 days.

To freeze, cool completely, cut into squares, and layer between parchment in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 2 hours when ready to serve.

For best results when making ahead, prepare 1-2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator for clean, precise cuts.