Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Desserts 20 Bar Cookie Recipes You Can Make to Feed a Crowd Never underestimate the power of a dessert bar. By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 15, 2024 Close Photo: Antonis Achilleos Bar cookies are a wonderful baked good choice for several reasons. For one, they’re typically easier to make than other sweets, like cheesecake and cakes. They’re also a great option if you need to feed a crowd for a special occasion or bake sale. But the biggest test is whether kids love these treats, and we can assure you they’ll go wild for every dessert on this list. From light and tart flavors of lime curd and toasted coconut to blondies and brownies made for every chocoholic—here are the best bar cookie recipes to bake ASAP. 01 of 20 Tahini S’mores Blondies Antonis Achilleos You’ll never have to say goodbye to summer with these tahini s’mores blondies. And this isn’t your average blondie batter. Tahini is added for a smooth yet rich and nutty flavor that pairs so well with the graham cracker, chocolate, and toasted marshmallow notes. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 20 Chewy Brownies Caitlin Bensel These chewy brownies are studded with melty chocolate chips in each bite, which makes each bite burst with layers of chocolaty flavor. These brownies come together in less than an hour, so you don't have to wait too long before digging in. Just be sure to let these brownies completely cool before cutting into them to keep their form intact. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 20 Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Victor Protasio Perfect for Valentine's Day or an anniversary, these pretty, pink cheesecake bars have heart-shaped swirls throughout them. They get double the strawberry flavor from both freeze-dried and roasted strawberries. Roasting the strawberries brings out a more caramelized, sweet flavor from the strawberries that help layer the flavors of this dessert. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 20 Lemon Bars Victor Schrager These lemon bars are the perfect combination of flavors for an instantly satisfying sweet treat. A luscious, lemony filling is draped over a buttery, shortbread crust and dusted with a generous amount of powdered sugar. The recipe makes two dozen of these bars, and you'll need just a half hour of hands-on time for preparation. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 20 Hazelnut Swirl Blondies Greg DuPree There are few combinations more delicious than chocolate and hazelnut. These blondie bars have rich swirls of chocolate hazelnut spread and are topped with a generous amount of chopped hazelnuts that add the perfect crunch to every bite. While they're amazing stand-alone, they taste wonderful served warm with ice cream. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 20 Coconut-Lime Crumble Bars Caitlin Bensel Craving something tropical? These tangy and sweet coconut-lime cookie bars are just the thing to whip up. Your family and friends will be blown away by your homemade lime curd—and after you learn how to make it once, you can try making some with other citrus fruits, like grapefruit, lemon, and orange. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 20 Lemon-Pistachio Bars Antonis Achilleos If you love a lemon bar, you’re going to fall hard for these lemon-pistachio beauties. Not only are they elegant and unique, but they’re also incredibly easy to make. Did we mention they’re also gluten-free? GET THE RECIPE 08 of 20 Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies Greg DuPree These blondies are reminiscent of everyone's favorite chocolate chip cookies but with a cakier, more indulgent texture. The best part? They take just 10 minutes of prep time; the rest is cooking and cooling time. Pecans bring a satisfying crunch, along with a delicious nutty flavor to each bite. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 20 Mint Chocolate Cookie Bars Fred Hardy While these cookie bars would be so festive at a holiday gathering, you can easily whip them up anytime you have a mint chocolate craving. These bars are basically peppermint patties in a different form. Three layers make up each bar: a chocolate cookie base, a peppermint-studded buttercream center, and a chocolate ganache top sprinkled with crushed peppermint candies. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 20 Chocolate Date Oat Bars Greg DuPree Whether you plan to ship these to a friend or eat them in one sitting, it's best to go ahead and double he recipe. We promise they're just that good. Dates add a fruity, caramel-like flavor to the center of each bar. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 20 Pumpkin Caramel Bars With Toasted Coconut Brie Passano While these would be a perfect dessert after Thanksgiving dinner, why limit yourself to enjoying them only once a year? You can think of these bars as a mini pumpkin pie with sweet and salty caramel and sprinkled with toasted coconut. They need to be refrigerated for eight hours before serving, so we recommend making them the night before you plan to serve them. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 20 Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars Greg DuPree Making a homemade cheesecake is the ultimate labor of love, but did you know there’s an easier way? Cheesecake bars don’t require a spring-form pan or a water bath, and this specific recipe is absolutely divine. Creamy cheesecake with spiced pumpkin swirls, baked in a speculoos crust—it just doesn’t get better than that. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 20 Salty Toffee Coffee Bars Do you have a sweet tooth? Are you often indecisive about what type of dessert to have? Well, it’s possible to have it all because these dessert bars are packed with flavor. You'll find saltiness from buttery crackers and nuts, sweetness from chocolate chips and butterscotch chips, and a little zip from espresso powder. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 20 Make-Ahead Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars Jennifer Causey We love these oatmeal bars because they’re more of a guide than a recipe. In other words, feel free to play around with the ingredients and add a little more or less, depending on your preference. Enjoy these as breakfast, a snack, or dessert. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 20 Popcorn Bars Jennifer Causey No oven? No problem! Popcorn bars are perhaps the easiest treat to make, and they’re completely customizable—so use whatever you have on hand! Pretzels, nuts, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and caramel are all great options to include for a sweet and savory treat. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 20 Malted Chocolate Brownies Victor Protasio Here’s a dessert that will take you back in time. Whoppers may not be the most popular candy at the concession stand, but you’ll go crazy for them in these malted chocolate brownies. They bring the perfect balance of chewy and fudgy to every bite. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 20 Banana Pudding Pie Bars With Meringue Brie Passano Making a homemade banana pie with meringue may seem intimidating, but each step is clear and simple, and the delicious results are absolutely worth it. Who wouldn’t go crazy over a slab of sweet banana pie with a Nilla wafer crust and a fluffy, cloud-like meringue to top it all off? You'll be so glad you took the time to make this dessert once you take your first bite. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 20 Fudgy Brownies Caitlin Bensel These brownies were designed to be a bit melty and messy. To get the fudgy consistency we were aiming for, we simply melted the butter with chocolate instead of creaming it with an electric beater. This method creates a denser result. Pair with ice cream or a glass of cold milk to cut the richness. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 20 Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Brownies Alison Miksch Bringing together cookies and cream, brownies, and cheesecake in one layered dessert, this sweet treat is a triple threat. It's rich and indulgent, and you'll definitely want to eat the whole pan. Store at room temperature for up to five days. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 20 Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Anna Williams The timeless combo of peanut butter and chocolate meets once again in this brownie recipe. Peanut butter cup pieces are folded into the batter, which allows for pockets of the melted candy to be found in every bite. Allow the brownies to cool before cutting. GET THE RECIPE 30 Easy Sheet Pan Desserts Your Guests Will Love Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit