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Easy Spider Web Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (30-Minute Recipe)

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These Easy Spider Web Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a quick and festive Halloween treat that comes together in just 30 minutes. With a chewy texture, melty chocolate chips, and a stunning spider web decoration, they’re perfect for last-minute bake sales, parties, or any fall gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for decoration)
  • 2 tablespoons melted chocolate chips or chocolate melting wafers (for decoration)
  • Optional: Candy spiders or gummy spiders (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.
  2. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals until just melted. Let cool slightly if too hot.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar. Whisk until well combined.
  4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth and glossy.
  5. Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and salt over the wet mixture. Stir until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips gently with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
  7. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Press into an even layer using your hands or the back of a spoon.
  8. Bake on the middle rack for 18-22 minutes, until edges are golden brown and center is set but still soft. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs.
  9. Cool the bars in the pan on a cooling rack for at least 30 minutes. Then lift out using the parchment and cool completely.
  10. Once completely cool, dust the top evenly with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh strainer.
  11. Melt 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl (20-second intervals, stirring between each). Transfer to a small piping bag or zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off.
  12. Pipe a spiral pattern on top of the powdered sugar, starting in the center and working outward.
  13. Use a toothpick or skewer to drag lines from the center outward, creating a web effect. Space the lines evenly.
  14. Let the chocolate set completely (15-20 minutes at room temperature or 10 minutes in the fridge) before cutting into bars.

Notes

Don’t overbake; pull bars when edges are golden and center is just barely set. Use room temperature egg to avoid seizing the butter. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Chill the pan for 15 minutes before cutting for cleaner cuts. Make ahead: bake bars a day ahead, store at room temperature, and decorate just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: spider web cookie bars, chocolate chip cookie bars, Halloween dessert, easy cookie bars, 30-minute recipe, fall baking, last-minute dessert

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/easy-spider-web-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars-30-minute-recipe/