If you’re looking for a luscious treat that combines nutty depth with classic comfort, this Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These bars have a wonderfully chewy texture with rich tahini and butter melting into every bite alongside pockets of gooey chocolate chips. Whether for a cozy afternoon snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert, this recipe balances sweet, salty, and nutty flavors in a way that’s absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but mighty, each playing an important role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and moisture in your cookie bars. From the creamy tahini to the rich butter and sweet honey, every component contributes to this delightful dessert.
- Salted butter: Using room temperature butter ensures a smooth, creamy batter and adds richness and tenderness to the bars.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep molasses flavor and helps create chewy texture along with some moisture.
- Honey: Brings natural sweetness and a subtle floral note while also helping to keep the bars moist.
- Tahini: This sesame butter introduces a nutty, earthy complexity that sets these cookie bars apart from the usual chocolate chip treats.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness for a soft, cakey crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors, lending warmth and depth to the bars.
- Flour: The backbone of the dough, giving structure and stability to your bars.
- Baking soda: Helps the bars rise slightly and develop a tender crumb.
- Salt: A small pinch elevates all the sweet notes and balances flavors beautifully.
- Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips: Melts into pockets of gooey chocolate, providing richness with every bite.
How to Make Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350° F (177° C) and lining a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. This setup prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Properly prepping your pan sets you up for success and even baking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, beat together the salted butter, brown sugar, honey, and tahini until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and a little fluffy, which means you’re incorporating air for lighter texture. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. This combination forms the creamy, flavorful base for your cookie bars.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients and Chocolate
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then, gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix because that can make your bars tough. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips or chunks thoroughly so each bite boasts melty, chocolaty goodness.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Spread the cookie dough evenly in your prepared baking dish. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes depending on how gooey or set you prefer the bars to be. They will still be slightly soft when you take them out but will firm up as they cool. The aroma alone will have you eager to taste sooner rather than later!
Step 5: Cool and Cut
Allow the cookie bars to cool for about 30 minutes in the pan. This resting time lets them set, making it easier to cut into perfect squares. Once cooled, slice the bars and get ready to enjoy the rich, nutty, and chocolate-studded delights you’ve just made.
How to Serve Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate add an elegant touch to these bars. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt can elevate the nutty tahini flavor even more, creating lovely savory-sweet contrasts.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookie bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent dessert experience. Enjoy alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea to balance the sweet richness with warm, comforting sips.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of chocolate chips and tahini for dipping or assemble a dessert platter with fresh fruit and nuts. You can even cut them into bite-sized pieces for a delightful party snack or picnic treat that everyone will be talking about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft, chewy, and fresh tasting, perfect for quick snacks or dessert on demand.
Freezing
If you want to save these cookie bars for later, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing in the freezer. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy the nutty, chocolatey goodness anytime the craving strikes.
Reheating
To reheat, simply unwrap your bars and warm them in the oven at 300° F for about 5 to 7 minutes. This will revive that just-baked softness and let the chocolate chips melt slightly again, almost like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter instead of tahini?
While peanut butter could work, tahini’s unique sesame flavor gives these cookie bars their signature nutty depth. Using peanut butter will change the taste significantly, but it could be a fun variation if you’re open to experimenting.
Do these bars have a strong tahini flavor?
Tahini adds a gentle nuttiness rather than overpowering the cookie bars. It blends harmoniously with the butter and chocolate, giving a subtle, delicious complexity that enhances rather than dominates the flavor profile.
Can I substitute honey with maple syrup or another sweetener?
Yes, maple syrup is a good alternative, adding its own distinct flavor and moisture. Just be aware it might slightly alter the taste and texture, but the bars will remain wonderfully moist and flavorful.
How thick should I spread the batter in the pan?
Spread the batter evenly to about 1 inch thickness in your 9×13 inch pan. This thickness ensures the bars bake through evenly, with a chewy center and gently crispy edges.
Is it necessary to use parchment paper?
Parchment paper is highly recommended to prevent sticking and make clean-up seamless. It also helps you lift the bars out of the pan easily without breaking them.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe—it’s one of those desserts that feels both homey and a little bit special. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and discover how tahini can beautifully elevate your cookie game. These bars are perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging yourself whenever a wholesome sweet treat calls your name.
Print
Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookie bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the rich and nutty flavor of these Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Combining creamy tahini with classic butter and honey, these cookie bars offer a unique twist on a beloved dessert. Soft, chewy, and packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, they make the perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2/3 cup tahini
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the cookie bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, honey, and tahini until fully combined and creamy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract until incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Chocolate: Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
- Spread Dough and Bake: Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 20 minutes to achieve a soft and slightly doughy texture. For firmer bars, you can bake them a bit longer, but keep an eye to avoid overbaking.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, cut into 24 bars. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
- For a more intense tahini flavor, use a high-quality, lightly toasted tahini.
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness; they can also be frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven’s exact temperature and desired texture.
