By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 2, 2016
Studded with chocolate chips and topped with a brown sugar meringue, Halfway to Heaven Bars are simply dreamy. Elevate classic cookie bars with this easy homemade recipe!
Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Homemade halfway to heaven bars are all I need in this world. When I used to live in Florida and traveled home for Christmas, I would hope and pray these chocolate chip cookie bars would be on the menu for the holidays.
A family-favorite recipe, these cookie bars feature a thin layer of cookie dough topped with chocolate chips and a brown sugar meringue. The combination is truly delightful – heavenly, even!
Simple to prep and quick to bake, keep this cookie bar recipe on hand for whenever you need an incredible from-scratch dessert. I love making these bars for cookie exchanges, potlucks, and parties. The crackly meringue topping always impresses a crowd!
Why You’ll Love this Cookie Bars Recipe:
- SIMPLE: Made with basic baking ingredients, this 2-part recipe comes together quickly and easily.
- LAYERED: These bars are a texture lover’s dream with 3 heavenly layers to love – a chewy cookie base, sweet chocolate chips, and a brown sugar meringue.
- A HIT: Whenever I bring a batch of halfway to heaven bars to parties and cookie exchanges, everyone always asks for the recipe. Be prepared!
Give chocolate chip cookie bars an upgrade with this homemade recipe.
How to Make Halfway to Heaven Bars
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Make the cookie dough.
- Press the cookie dough into a jelly roll pan.
- Top with chocolate chips.
- Make the brown sugar meringue and spread it on top.
- Bake.
- Cool, slice, and serve.
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Halfway to heaven bars are part cookie, part meringue, and totally decadent! The base of these bars is a layer of cookie dough topped with chocolate chips and fluffy meringue.
Bake these bars in a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan. If you don’t have a jelly roll pan, a 9×13-inch baking dish works, too.
Yes! Use 12 ounces of your favorite kind of chocolate chips (or a combination) – semisweet, milk, dark, mini, or white chocolate chips are all delicious options.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing these bars as the meringue topping does not freeze and thaw well.
Half Batch
To make a half batch of halfway to heaven bars, simply halve all of the ingredients and follow the recipe as written. Use an 8×8-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until the top is light brown and the meringue is set and cooked.
Serving Halfway to Heaven Bars
A little goes a long way with these bars so even a small serving satisfies a sweet tooth. Typically, I can get about 24 bars out of a single batch – perfect for holiday treats, sharing with neighbors or coworkers, and for family dinners. Easy to make and easy to share!
More Easy Dessert Recipes We Love
- Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Mocha Cookies
- Italian Cream Cake
- Peanut Butter Cup Fudge
Sweeten any day with homemade halfway to heaven bars!
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Cookie Dough
- ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ▢ ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
- ▢ 2 egg yolks 28 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 1 tablespoon water 14 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- ▢ 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 340 grams
For the Meringue
- ▢ 2 egg whites 70 grams
- ▢ 1 cup brown sugar 213 grams
Instructions
For the Cookie Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan or baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together. Set aside. 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars on high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar
- Add the egg yolks, water, and vanilla. Beat well and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. 2 egg yolks, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated.
- Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan. Press the dough into an even layer.
- Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cookie dough. Slightly press the chips into the dough. Set aside while you make the meringue. 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
For the Meringue
- Add the egg whites to a clean stand mixer bowl. Beat on high until they are almost stiff. 2 egg whites
- With the mixer running on high speed, carefully and gradually add the brown sugar. Beat until the egg whites are stiff. 1 cup brown sugar
- Spread the brown sugar meringue on top of the chocolate chips.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is light brown and the meringue is set and cooked.
- Transfer the pan to a cooling rack. Allow the bars to cool completely, slice, and serve.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Stand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
- Make sure to beat your meringue in a CLEAN mixing bowl. Even a little oil or other residue could ruin your meringue.
- To make a half batch of halfway to heaven bars, simply halve all of the ingredients and follow the recipe as written. Use an 8×8-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until the top is light brown and the meringue is set and cooked.
- A little goes a long way with these bars so even a small serving satisfies a sweet tooth. Typically, I can get about 24 bars out of a single batch – perfect for holiday treats, sharing with neighbors or coworkers, and for family dinners. Easy to make and easy to share!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Halfway to Heaven Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9x13 Baking Pan
- Stand Mixer
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
- 2 egg yolks 28 grams, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon water 14 grams, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 340 grams
For the Meringue
- 2 egg whites 70 grams
- 1 cup brown sugar 213 grams
Instructions
For the Cookie Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch jelly roll pan or baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together. Set aside. 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars on high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar
- Add the egg yolks, water, and vanilla. Beat well and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. 2 egg yolks, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated.
- Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan. Press the dough into an even layer.
- Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cookie dough. Slightly press the chips into the dough. Set aside while you make the meringue. 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
For the Meringue
- Add the egg whites to a clean stand mixer bowl. Beat on high until they are almost stiff. 2 egg whites
- With the mixer running on high speed, carefully and gradually add the brown sugar. Beat until the egg whites are stiff. 1 cup brown sugar
- Spread the brown sugar meringue on top of the chocolate chips.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is light brown and the meringue is set and cooked.
- Transfer the pan to a cooling rack. Allow the bars to cool completely, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Make sure to beat your meringue in a CLEAN mixing bowl. Even a little oil or other residue could ruin your meringue.
- To make a half batch of halfway to heaven bars, simply halve all of the ingredients and follow the recipe as written. Use an 8x8-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until the top is light brown and the meringue is set and cooked.
- A little goes a long way with these bars so even a small serving satisfies a sweet tooth. Typically, I can get about 24 bars out of a single batch - perfect for holiday treats, sharing with neighbors or coworkers, and for family dinners. Easy to make and easy to share!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
