Hot Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are an indulgent and irresistible dessert that combines the rich flavors of classic chocolate chip cookies with a decadent layer of gooey hot fudge. Whether enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or savored on their own, these dessert bars will be one of your favorite treats! Plus, they are easy to make! If you prefer caramel, I also have Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars you will love!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Butter provides moisture, flavor, and richness to the dessert. Make sure it is at room temperature to allow it to mix well with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and creamy texture. If using salted butter, you may want to lessen or omit the amount of salt in the recipe.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar contributes sweetness and moisture to the cookie bars. It also adds a deep, caramel-like flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.
Hot Fudge: Hot fudge is a rich and thick chocolate sauce that becomes gooey when heated. It creates a luscious, melty layer that adds a decadent touch. Be sure to warm up the hot fudge before adding it to the layer of cookie dough.
Chocolate Chips: I used semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe. However, you could use milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or your favorite flavor or combination of candy chips.
How To Serve Hot Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Although delicious as-is, there are even more ways to enjoy these dessert bars. Here are some options you may want to try:
- Drizzle extra hot fudge over the tops of the bars.
- Serve topped with ice cream like vanilla, chocolate ice cream, or chocolate peanut butter ice cream!
- Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Pair the bars with fresh berries.
Can I Make The Cookie Dough Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you could get the cookie dough mixed together in advance to save time when you are ready to make the bars. Once the dough is fully mixed, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Then, store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When ready to make the bars, let the dough sit at room temperature for up to 15-20 minutes to make it easier to work with.
Can I Use A Different Sized Pan?
Sure! I used a 9×13-inch baking dish, which results in thicker bars. However, you could certainly use a 10×15-inch sheet pan for slightly thinner bars. The baking time will be a bit less, but the ingredient amounts remain the same. Or, try the bars in a cast-iron skillet for a lovely presentation! But, watch the bars carefully as baking times may need to be adjusted.
How To Store Hot Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Hot Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer.
Room Temperature: Once the bars have cooled to room temperature, store them in an airtight container. They will last up to 2-3 days.
To Refrigerate: If preferred, you can store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 5-7 days.
To Freeze: For even longer storage, you can freeze the bars. Wrap them individually or in layers with plastic wrap or foil, then place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. Properly stored, frozen hot fudge chocolate chip cookie bars can maintain their quality for about 2 to 3 months. To thaw, transfer the desired number of bars to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw gradually.
Hot Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 ¼ cups (282 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups (364 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 jar (11 ounces) hot fudge, warm
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- To a large bowl, add butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Using a hand-held mixer, cream ingredients until they are light and fluffy. Add in eggs, mixing until completely incorporated.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix at low speed until combined.
- Mix in the chocolate chips.
- Press half of the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Set the remaining cookie dough aside.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the cookie bars from the oven and place on a heat-safe surface.
- Pour the warmed hot fudge over the bars, making sure to get it into every nook and cranny.
- Using the remaining cookie dough, form small discs and place them over the top of the fudge. It is okay if there is some fudge showing.
- Bake for an additional 20-22 minutes, or until the fudge is bubbling and the cookie is golden brown.
- Allow bars to cool to room temperature (about 1 ½ hours) before cutting and serving.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
We tested a few different varieties of this bar and this one was quickly a winner. The easy hot fudge filling really sealed the deal. This bar is ooey-gooey and chocolatey! What is not to love?
Elizabeth
I love all the variations of this cookie bar from the peanut butter to caramel. Although the peanut butter bar was my favorite, you can't go wrong with more chocolate like with this version! I wonder what we can add to the bars next…
Rachael
Chocolate inside of a chocolate chip cookie bar, let alone hot fudge is a fantastic combination to me. Chocolate lovers will LOVE this!
Bella
A melt-in-the-mouth type of dessert! So chocolatey, gooey, and rich. You won't regret trying it!
Annabelle
Super easy to make without sacrificing flavor! These are so tasty and anyone can make them!
Selena
So delicious! I loved the perfect chocolate chip cookie base and the ease of using hot fudge topping!
I have done quite a lot baking in my day. I’m sensitive to daily and chocolate syrup gives me heartburn so the hot fudge probably would too. I use lactose free chocolate chips so my question is if I melted a cup of my lactose free chocolate chips do you think that would work? I could probably add a little corn starch to thinker the melted chips. Do you think that would work?
How do I wait until they cool?
I want to make these cookies, but I don’t know what a jar of hot fudge is.
In the United States you can buy jars of sundae toppings, such as hot fudge.
can you substitute cut up candy pieces for the chocolate chips?
This is a neat idea! We’d like the caramel cookie bars too. I may try to use some of my pre-made chocolate chip cookie dough, and homemade hot fudge. I’m guessing roughly 7 cups of cookie dough would be needed in total. Thanks for the great ideas!
Can I use caramel instead of fudge?
Here is the caramel version:
https://iambaker.net/chocolate-chip-caramel-bars/
I used homemade salted caramel…SO good. I haven’t tried it with hot fudge, but I can’t imagine it would be better than the salted caramel version. I brought them to the teachers’ lounge at my daughter’s school for Teacher Appreciation Week and am making them again to take to a friend’s house tomorrow!