You don’t have to decide between cookies and brownies. Cookie bars are the perfect two-in-one dessert. Plus, they’re easy to make, easy to serve, and guaranteed to be a hit. Learn how to make decadent homemade cookie bars with these sweet recipe ideas.
01 of 25
The Best Lemon Bars
Credit: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Addelyn Evans / Prop Styling: Breanna Ghazali
The ratings don’t lie, and these lemon bars have over 2,600 5-star reviews. “Excellent, everything a true lemon bar should be,” says recipe reviewer MommyFromSeattle. “Buttery, tender, and tart.”
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02 of 25
Peanut Butter Bars
Credit: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Annie Probst / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek
You’ll never go back to store-bought peanut butter cups after you try these bars — the kids said that these are better than Reese’s,” says recipe reviewer Jennifer.
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03 of 25
Delicious Raspberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle
These fruity dessert bars make a great after-school snack or after-dinner treat. “I was a little skeptical on the taste of these bars since the ingredient list was so short, but WOW, was I amazed,” says Allrecipes reviewer MommyFromSeattle.
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04 of 25
Blonde Brownies
Credit: France C
Cookies and brownies marry to make the ultimate crowd-pleaser: chocolate chip cookie bars. “Easy to make, disappeared in no time,” says recipe reviewer hoosiermom. “They were gooey and chewy.”
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05 of 25
Apple Squares
Credit: Cristi
Get the flavor of apple pie in these easy, one-pan bars. “Just made these this afternoon, and the kids had already eaten half the pan before the bars finished cooling! These are really tasty.” —Allrecipes reviewer MOMTOKTL
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06 of 25
Cream Cheese Squares
Credit: Will Dickey / Food Styling: Ana Kelly / Prop Styling: Julia Bayless
Sandwich a sweet cream mixture between flaky crescent roll dough for a melt-in-your-mouth treat. “I make these squares more than two dozen times a year! They are the most popular thing I make. I’m always asked to make them for everything.” — Allrecipes reviewer Dori White Mozek
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07 of 25
Bake Sale Lemon Bars
Credit: Kellygrrrl
Bake sale or no bake sale, you’ll want to make these top-rated lemon bars. “I’ve made these a few times as they’re so easy and delicious,” says recipe reviewer Christi.
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08 of 25
No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars
Credit: Will Dickey / Food Styling: Tori Cox / Prop Styling: Caleb Clarke
“I baked about 100 dozen cookies for the holidays, and these were everyone’s favorite,” says recipe creator Joanne. “These bars can be frozen, just thaw 10 minutes before serving.”
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09 of 25
Marshmallow Rice Krispie Treats
Credit: Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Karen Rankin / Prop Styling: Hannah Greenwood
You can’t go wrong with a classic. “This is a very standard recipe but definitely a good one,” says Allrecipes reviewer Kelly.
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10 of 25
Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies
Credit: Brie Goldman/ Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly
Peanut-butter lovers will fawn over these ooey gooey brownies. “These brownies were amazing! My boyfriend hates chocolate, so I’m always trying to find desserts that don’t have any in them,” says reviewer erin.parker. “I made the recipe as is, but made a peanut butter icing in order to make it extra special!”
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11 of 25
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
Want fruit cobbler without the mess? These blueberry crumb bars are perfect for serving to a crowd. “Made these bars several times, most recently for a bridal shower, and they were a big hit,” says Allrecipes reviewer Barbara M.
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12 of 25
Seven Layer Bars
Credit: Greg Dupree / Food Styling: Kady Wohlfarth
“I made this for a holiday party at work recently, and it was a huge hit! It is definitely for the sweets lover, but the combination of the butterscotch with the coconut and semisweet chocolate really gives them a great flavor,” says recipe reviewer ABBYW. “Be careful if you put the bars in the fridge to cool; they can become very hard and difficult to cut. I would advise cooking them the night before and sitting them out to cool instead.”
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13 of 25
Caramel Bars
Credit: Grant Webster / Food Styling: Addelyn Evans / Prop Styling: Gabriel Greco
“I’m a professional baker and was searching for a recipe for a die-hard caramel lover, [and] this one was a huge hit,” says Allrecipes reviewer M-JVZ. Gooey caramel, chocolate, oats, and nuts come together to make these caramel dream bars.
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14 of 25
Pecan Pie Bars
Credit: Jason Donnelly
“I absolutely love pecan pie, but often find that it is made too thick and is thus overly sweet and rich. These were the perfect solution. Not too thin, not too thick,” says recipe reviewer Extra Foamy.
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15 of 25
Easy Magic Cookie Bars
Credit: Pam lehnherr
Oh, ho, ho, it’s magic! Walnuts, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and flaked coconut all come together in a sweet graham cracker crust.
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16 of 25
Gramma’s Date Squares
Credit: Reny Titi
“10 stars! I make these every day in my café for customers who can’t get enough of them,” says recipe reviewer Lorrie.
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17 of 25
Cranberry Bars
Credit: Sarah Koethe
If you’re looking for a sweet and sour combo, look no further than this tart cranberry dessert. “Very good and easy, too. I didn’t have any whole cranberries on hand, so instead of making the cranberry filling, I actually used canned whole cranberry sauce. It worked just fine,” says recipes reviewer KZJNK. “This is a great one to add to your baking gifts for the holidays.”
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18 of 25
Oatmeal Carmelitas
Credit: Allrecipes / Kim Shupe
“These are incredible,” says Allrecipes reviewer SADALSUND. “I was at a bakery, and they were giving samples of caramel oatmeal bars, and I never thought I’d like them, but they were fantastic. I looked on here for a recipe, and these were even better than the bakery ones!”
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19 of 25
S’mores Brownies
Credit: Allrecipes / Qi Ai
Kids and adults alike will love this simple treat. All you need is a package of brownie mix, graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars. Everyone will want s’more!
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20 of 25
Mound Bars
Credit: Dianne
Turn a classic candy bar into a cookie bar with chocolate and coconut on a graham cracker crust. “I make these bars every year for Christmas as they are awesome,” says recipe reviewer Amy W.
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21 of 25
Passion Bars
Credit: Allrecipes Video Studio
Recipe creator SUE CASE describes these as, “Oatmeal bars with a caramel-flavored peanut butter topping. A big hit at potlucks! Very rich, also!”
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22 of 25
Nanaimo Bars
Credit: Will Dickey
This no-bake dessert was made famous in British Columbia, Canada, specifically in the town of Nanaimo. It features a layer of chocolate, creamy custard, and a nutty graham cracker crust.
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23 of 25
Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies
Credit: mommyluvs2cook
These chewy blonde brownies have loads of butterscotch chips, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. “These were butterscotchy and chocolatey, perfectly moist, with a funny little bumpy, crackly top—so pretty! Quick and easy to throw together, with amazing results.” —Allrecipes reviewer naples34102
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24 of 25
Mom’s Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Credit: Allrecipes Member
Cheesecake is so much more fun (and easier to serve) in bar form! “This is one of my all-time favorites, ” says recipe reviewer terrtyl.
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25 of 25
Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Credit: Brie Passano / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly
“These were very easy to make and absolutely decadent,” says recipe reviewer Barb C. “Huge hit. No changes made to the original recipe. I thought at first that an [ounce] of red food coloring was a bit much, but as I had plenty on hand, I went for it—good decision.”
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Dining and Cooking