Imagine biting into a thick, fudgy square that tastes exactly like the cookie dough you used to sneak from the mixing bowl as a kid—only now it’s safe to eat and perfectly acceptable to share! These No Bake Cookie Dough Bars are the ultimate indulgence for anyone who loves that classic doughy flavor without ever turning on the oven. With their layers of buttery vanilla goodness and a decadent chocolate topping, these bars are a dream to whip up, fun to serve, and guaranteed to disappear quickly at any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these No Bake Cookie Dough Bars is in their simplicity: classic pantry staples transform into the most irresistible treat. Each ingredient plays a starring role, from creating a creamy dough to forming that glossy, candy-like chocolate topping.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Gives the dough its rich flavor and ultra-smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Light brown sugar, packed: Adds a deep caramel note and essential chewiness.
- Granulated sugar: Balances out the sweetness and helps with structure.
- Milk: Provides just enough moisture to make the dough soft and scoopable; almond milk works perfectly for a dairy-free twist.
- Vanilla extract: Fragrances the dough with lovely warmth and classic cookie flavor.
- Heat-treated all-purpose flour: Vital for safe, edible dough—just zap it in the microwave as directed in the notes!
- Salt: Brings out all the sweet flavors and rounds out the taste.
- Mini chocolate chips: Tiny bursts of chocolate in every bite, ensuring you get that classic cookie dough feel.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (for topping): Melted into a heavenly chocolate blanket that sets into the perfect top layer.
- Coconut oil or vegetable oil (for topping): Makes the chocolate topping silky and easy to spread.
How to Make No Bake Cookie Dough Bars
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Grab your largest mixing bowl and an electric mixer (or a sturdy wooden spoon if you’re feeling strong!). Beat together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. You’re aiming for a creamy, fluffy mixture—this is the base of your irresistible dough. This step gives your No Bake Cookie Dough Bars their signature richness and smooth texture, so take your time to get it beautifully combined.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour in the milk and splash in the vanilla extract. Give it a good mix until everything’s well blended. The milk keeps the dough luscious and soft, while the vanilla fills your kitchen with that iconic, sweet bakery scent. At this point, it already smells amazing!
Step 3: Stir in the Dry Ingredients
Gently sift in your heat-treated flour and sprinkle in the salt. Stir everything together—start slow to avoid any flour clouds, then keep mixing until a soft, thick dough forms. Don’t skip the flour heat-treating step; this makes the dough safe to eat raw and keeps everyone happy and healthy.
Step 4: Fold in the Mini Chocolate Chips
Scoop in your mini chocolate chips and fold them through the dough. Every bite of these No Bake Cookie Dough Bars will have little pockets of melty chocolate, creating that true cookie dough experience. Mini chips are ideal because they distribute perfectly without overwhelming the dough.
Step 5: Press Into the Pan
Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment for easy cleanup. Scrape the dough into the pan and press it down evenly with a spatula (or your clean hands!). Make sure you push it into all the corners so your bars are thick, dense, and even.
Step 6: Make the Chocolate Topping
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the oil. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until the chocolate is glossy and smooth. Pour this dreamy chocolate layer over your dough and gently spread it to create an even, shiny top.
Step 7: Chill and Slice
Pop the pan in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or until the bars feel firm to the touch. This chill time turns the dough into thick, sliceable bars and helps the chocolate set with a nice snap. When ready, lift the bars out, slice them into neat squares, and get ready for major applause!
How to Serve No Bake Cookie Dough Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your No Bake Cookie Dough Bars by sprinkling a dash of flaked sea salt on top, swirling a drizzle of white chocolate, or scattering extra mini chips just before the melted chocolate sets. These tiny garnishes add pizzazz and an extra pinch of flavor, making every bite even more special.
Side Dishes
Pair your bars with a chilly glass of milk for the classic cookie-and-milk nostalgia, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent dessert plate. Fresh berries on the side balance out the sweetness and add a pop of color for guests.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters, stack them in a tower for a party platter, or wrap them individually for on-the-go snacking. These bars also make adorable edible gifts—just tie with a ribbon and you’ll be the most popular gift-giver around!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover No Bake Cookie Dough Bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay deliciously fresh and fudgy for up to 5 days—if they last that long! Keeping them chilled also helps hold that perfect firm-slice texture.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later (or make a big batch ahead), wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and stash them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last up to a month and are perfect for fixing a cookie dough craving any time! Just thaw in the fridge or at room temperature and enjoy.
Reheating
You don’t need to reheat these treats, but if you love a melty chocolate topping, you can pop a bar in the microwave for 10 seconds. The result? Dreamy, slightly warm dough and gooey chocolate, just like when it’s freshly mixed.
FAQs
Can I make these No Bake Cookie Dough Bars vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the butter for a vegan alternative, use non-dairy milk like almond or oat, and make sure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. The bars turn out just as gooey and delicious.
Why do I have to heat-treat the flour?
Raw flour can sometimes contain harmful bacteria, so heat-treating it in the microwave makes your dough 100 percent safe to eat. It’s quick and easy, and means you can enjoy every bite worry-free.
What’s the best way to cut No Bake Cookie Dough Bars neatly?
For the cleanest slices, use a sharp knife heated under hot water and wiped dry. Press down gently but firmly without sawing, and let the bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes if they’re very cold.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Stir in chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or even sprinkles for a fun twist. Just try to keep total mix-ins to about the same amount as the mini chocolate chips so your bars hold together well.
Do these bars travel well for picnics or gifts?
They’re fantastic for both! Because the bars firm up so nicely in the fridge, they’re easy to transport and hold their shape. Just keep them cool until serving for the best texture and taste.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever been caught sneaking bites of cookie dough, these No Bake Cookie Dough Bars are meant for you! They’re easy to make, crazy-delicious, and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself). Give them a try—you might just find your new favorite treat!
Print
No Bake Cookie Dough Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious No Bake Cookie Dough Bars that are easy to make and require no baking. With a buttery cookie dough base topped with a rich layer of chocolate, these bars are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups heat-treated all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
Topping:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add Milk and Vanilla: Mix in the milk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the heat-treated flour and salt, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips: Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Press into Pan: Press the cookie dough mixture evenly into a parchment-lined 9×9-inch pan.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips and oil in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Top and Chill: Pour the melted chocolate over the cookie dough layer, spread evenly, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
- Serve: Slice into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- To heat-treat flour, microwave it in a bowl for 1 minute 15 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds to kill any potential bacteria.
- You can substitute almond milk for regular milk to make these dairy-free, and use vegan butter and chocolate chips for a fully vegan version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
