Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookie Bars

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Ya know…sometimes it’s just best to keep it simple.

It’s been a rough two weeks for us. Raya has been sick with Croup and RSV and my Grandma passed away. A grandma that has been present in our lives since we were born. Someone that means a lot to our family and someone we love very, very much.

I usually don’t talk about this stuff, but there’s a point to it all, I promise, then I’ll get back to the witty stuff.

Through all of this I was still trying to keep up with everything – recipe testing, trying to stay inspired, looking a social media, getting up early, clean the house, grocery shop and cook dinner when I really should have been doing Pilates and watching Gilmore Girls.

This may not seem that daunting but with a very sick child and a broken heart, it really weighed on me. Like, I have a permanent knot in my right shoulder blade type of weight. My sister was showing me yoga stretches over the weekend, my husband has been cracking my back every night and my mom gave me three massages over the weekend…it’s STILL there. Go away stress…nobody likes you!

Anyway, I had a ton of failed recipe attempts which only made matters worse…it’s really frustrating when something doesn’t turn out the third time you try. I kept trying to create these recipes that I wasn’t really all that excited about…and they were just failing…hard.

I finally gave up and decided to go a more comfortable route…which by the way…isn’t always good either because I do like to challenge myself, but because of my stress level, I stopped. I stopped and decided to make something I am more comfortable and would enjoy eating….like Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookie Bars!!

They are SO amazing. Crunchy, salty, sweet and chewy. One bowl, no mixer needed…EASY!

Chocolate Chip Cookies are my faaaav, and I wanted to bring something back to Iowa that my family could munch on. We all know that sweets help us heal…or make us feel good for the time being then crappy later…but whatever, I wanted to bring something and these were it.

They came out perfect the first time I made them. They were exactly what I needed during this emotional time in my life.

I guess what I’m saying is…take a break. Do what feels right and good and don’t push yourself when you’re not supposed to be pushed. There are too many outside pressures and it’s not healthy. I mean…who cares if I don’t get Irish cream cupcakes up on the blog for St. Patrick’s Day…so sorry, but we just didn’t like them. I have another recipe idea for the green holiday that I think will be much better and easier so stay tuned!

Take time for yourself, take care of your family and don’t worry about all the pressures. I am definitely going to work on this more after these past two weeks…you won’t even believe it…I opened up a book last night and read 12 pages!! I haven’t read a book since I was commuting on a train 4 years ago so these 12 pages made me feel very good.

Alright, I’m done chatting. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy the simple things.

These do not stress me out.

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Yield: 20 bars

Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookie Bars

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These Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, buttery, and packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and crunchy pretzel twists. They have the perfect sweet-and-salty flavor, come together in one bowl, and bake in a simple 9×13-inch pan — an easy dessert for parties, potlucks, holidays, or whenever a chocolate chip cookie craving hits.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed pretzel twists or sticks

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 cup melted butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup brown sugar until well combined.
3. Add the 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon vanilla and whisk until smooth.
4. Add the 2½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir with a spatula until the dough is almost combined.
5. Fold in the 2 cups chocolate chips and 1 cup crushed pretzel twists just until evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing.
6. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. If desired, add a small handful of chocolate chips and pretzel pieces to press over the top.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, checking around 25 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden and set, while the center should look set but still soft. Mine baked for 27 minutes.
8. Cool completely in the pan before slicing. The bars will continue to set as they cool, helping them stay soft and chewy while still holding their shape.

Notes

Use pretzel twists rather than flat pretzels. Pretzel twists hold onto their crunch much better as the bars bake. Flat pretzels can absorb more moisture from the cookie dough, becoming soft or soggy and creating a slightly chewy, difficult-to-bite texture.

Storage:
Store the cooled chocolate chip pretzel cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For the best texture, place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you’re stacking them.
The pretzels will soften a little over time, so these bars are at their very best within the first 1–2 days when you still get that salty crunch.

Freezing:
These cookie bars freeze really well. Once completely cooled, cut them into bars and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag with parchment paper between the layers.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Let the bars thaw at room temperature before serving. You can also warm one in the microwave for just a few seconds if you want the chocolate chips to get a little melty again.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 461Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 358mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 3gSugar: 35gProtein: 6g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated. Use as an approximation only.

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