Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Loaded Treat

Introduction

Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars combine an irresistible mix of flavors and textures that make them a crowd favorite. These bars feature semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips, crunchy pretzels, and chewy caramel pieces, resulting in a gooey, soft, and chewy treat. With a preparation method that requires just one bowl and no electric mixers, they make baking a breeze. Perfectly baked in a 9×13″ pan, they are an ideal dessert for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love This Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

This Kitchen sink cookie bars recipe is not only easy but deliciously rewarding. Here’s why you’ll adore them:

Versatile and adaptable, allowing endless customization options.
A delightful balance of sweet and salty from chocolate and pretzels.
Chewy kitchen sink cookie bars that satisfy any sweet tooth.
Perfect for parties and gatherings with their crowd-pleasing appeal.
Quick 30-minute total prep and bake time.
Made with simple ingredients, ensuring you have everything at home.

These bars are considered the ultimate cookie bars with mix-ins, making them a must-try!

Ingredients for Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

Gather these items:

¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), melted
¾ cup light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour (add an extra 1/4 cup if dough is too runny)
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup milk chocolate chips
½ cup broken pretzels
½ cup chewy caramel pieces (such as Kraft or Werther’s Soft), chopped

How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars Step-by-Step

Step 1: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the cookie bars.
Step 2: In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, melt ¾ cup unsalted butter for about 20-30 seconds until just melted. Allow it to cool slightly if it is steaming to prevent cooking the eggs when added.
Step 3: Add ¾ cup light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar to the melted butter and stir with a spatula until combined. Then mix in 1 whole egg and 1 extra egg yolk along with 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Avoid using a mixer to maintain the desired texture.
Step 4: Stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt, mixing well to combine evenly throughout the batter.
Step 5: Gradually add 2 cups all-purpose flour and stir until the dough comes together and no flour streaks remain. If the dough is too runny, add up to an additional ¼ cup flour for better consistency.
Step 6: Fold in ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ½ cup milk chocolate chips, ½ cup broken pretzels, and ½ cup chopped caramel pieces until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Grease or line a 9×13″ metal baking pan with parchment paper. Press the cookie dough evenly into the pan, smoothing the surface. Optionally, press a few extra mix-ins on top for a decorative touch.
Step 8: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or up to 20 minutes depending on your oven, until the edges and top turn lightly golden brown and the center looks set but still moist.
Step 9: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into 24 squares to serve.
Step 10: To keep the bars fresh, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the bars into an airtight container. They will stay moist and delicious for up to 3 days at room temperature. For longer storage, consider freezing the bars.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

Keep these in mind:

Store bars at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, freeze the bars.
To enhance flavor, try adding a pinch of sea salt on top before baking.
Feel free to customize the mix-ins based on your preference, like using oats for a chewy texture.

Best Ways to Serve Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

These delicious cookie bars with everything can be served in various ways:

Enjoy them warm, paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Serve with a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce on top for extra sweetness.
They make fantastic treats for parties or gatherings!

How to Store and Reheat Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

To store your bars, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer them into an airtight container. They will remain moist and delicious for up to 3 days at room temperature. For longer storage, consider freezing the bars, which makes them perfect for meal prep!

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

What’s the secret to perfect Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars?

The secret lies in not overmixing the dough and baking until the edges are golden brown while the center remains slightly soft. This results in chewy kitchen sink cookie bars that everyone will love!

Can I make Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars can be made ahead of time and stored. They taste just as delicious when prepared a day in advance, making them ideal for parties.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars?

To avoid mistakes, ensure that you measure your ingredients accurately and don’t overbake. Overbaking can lead to dry bars, which is the opposite of what you want in these loaded cookie bars.

Variations of Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars You Can Try

Feel free to experiment with these variations:

Make vegan kitchen sink cookie bars by substituting eggs with flaxseed meal and using dairy-free chocolate.
Try gluten-free kitchen sink cookie bars by replacing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
Add nuts for a nutty kitchen sink cookie bars version; walnuts or pecans work wonderfully!
Include oats for a wholesome twist; this adds texture and fiber.

For more delicious dessert ideas, check out Irresistible Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake or Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars.

Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Loaded Treat - Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars - additional detail

For more tips on baking, you can also visit Deliciously Simple 2-Ingredient Carnivore Ice Cream and Banana Split Fruit Pizza.