Top 10 Delicious Classic Dessert Bars Everyone Will Love

Dessert bars have a special kind of magic — they’re simple to make, easy to share, and loved by just about everyone. From gooey chocolate to tangy lemon, these classic recipes bring nostalgia and pure sweetness in every bite.

Quick Summary

These 10 classic dessert bar recipes are perfect for parties, bake sales, or cozy family nights. You’ll find everything from timeless Toll House chocolate chip bars to tangy lemon bars and indulgent brownie cheesecake layers. Each recipe includes simple ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and flavor combinations that have stood the test of time.

1. Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Golden, buttery, and packed with melty chocolate chips, Toll House cookie bars are the easiest way to enjoy your favorite cookie in sliceable form.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
  3. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugars, and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs one at a time.
  4. Gradually add flour mixture, then fold in chocolate chips.
  5. Spread dough evenly into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before slicing.

2. Classic Lemon Bars Recipe for Any Occasion

Bright, tangy, and dusted with powdered sugar, lemon bars balance sweetness with zesty freshness.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 lemons, juiced and zested
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. For the crust, cream butter and sugar, then mix in flour. Press into the pan and bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Whisk eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest. Pour over the crust.
  4. Bake for 20–25 minutes until set. Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar.

3. Hello Dolly Bars Recipe

Layer after layer of sweet textures — coconut, chocolate, and gooey condensed milk make this bar a crowd favorite.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Mix butter and crumbs, press into the pan.
  3. Layer chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and pecans.
  4. Drizzle condensed milk evenly over the top.
  5. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden. Cool completely before cutting.

4. Blondies Bars Recipe

Soft, chewy, and buttery with hints of vanilla, blondies are the perfect base for creative mix-ins.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Whisk butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in mix-ins.
  4. Spread batter in the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden. Cool before slicing.

5. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Everything you love about classic cookies, baked in one easy-to-slice pan.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips.
  4. Spread dough evenly and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.

6. Sugar Cookie Bars with a Genius Frosting Twist

Soft sugar cookie base topped with creamy frosting — perfect for sprinkles and seasonal colors.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup frosting of choice
  • Sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
  3. Mix in dry ingredients. Press dough into the pan.
  4. Bake for 15–18 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely, frost, and decorate.

7. Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe

A rich brownie base topped with creamy cheesecake — the perfect two-in-one treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients on package)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Prepare brownie batter as directed, pour into pan.
  3. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Drop spoonfuls over brownie batter and swirl with a knife.
  5. Bake for 30–35 minutes. Cool before slicing.

8. 6-Layer Cookie Bar Recipe

Packed with layers of cookie dough, caramel, chocolate, and nuts for a decadent bite.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup peanut butter chips
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Press butter-crumb mix into pan.
  3. Add layers of chips, coconut, and nuts.
  4. Pour condensed milk evenly over the top.
  5. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.

9. Best Ever Oreo Brookies Cookie Bar Recipe

A heavenly mashup of brownies, Oreos, and chocolate chip cookies all in one bite.

Ingredients

  • 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients on package)
  • 1 roll chocolate chip cookie dough
  • 16 Oreo cookies

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Press cookie dough evenly into the bottom.
  3. Place Oreos on top, then pour brownie batter over.
  4. Bake for 35–40 minutes until set.

10. Oreo Brookies Bars Recipe

Layers of Oreo cookies sandwiched between soft brownies and chewy cookie dough.

Ingredients

  • 1 roll chocolate chip cookie dough
  • 20 Oreo cookies
  • 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients on package)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Press cookie dough into the bottom.
  3. Arrange Oreos evenly over dough.
  4. Pour brownie batter over the top.
  5. Bake for 35–40 minutes until cooked through.