Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (Gluten-Free + Vegan)
These gluten-free, vegan cookie bars are such a fun sweet treat and the perfect way to use up your favorite leftover Halloween candy — or perfect to bring to a Halloween party! Best of all, these cookie bars are made in one bowl, with no chilling or electric mixer required!
Equipment
- 1 8x8" square baking pan
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup dairy-free butter melted
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour* (see note below)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Chocolate Mix-Ins
- ½ cup vegan semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup additional vegan chocolate pieces** Earth Gems, peanut butter cups, chopped chocolate bars, etc (see note below)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8” square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving the parchment long enough on two sides to pull the cookie bars out of the pan once baked.
- Melt butter in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar and whisk to combine thoroughly until no chunks remain.
- Add vanilla extract and applesauce. Stir to combine.
- Slowly pour in gluten-free flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a silicone spatula until just combined.
- Chop any larger chocolate into bite-sized pieces and fold it in to the dough with the chocolate chips, saving some for the top.
- Add the mixture to your prepared baking pan and press into an even layer.
- Top with additional chocolate pieces.
- Bake for 25-27 minutes, until the dough begins to turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow bars to cool in pan for a few minutes before removing and slicing.
- Slice into nine large square bars or smaller pieces for bite-sized servings, and enjoy!
Notes
* To ensure you're getting an accurate flour measurement, I recommend using the spoon-and-level method. This helps accidental overmeasuring and prevents dry, dense baked goods with too much flour. Here's what to do:
- Fluff your container of flour with a fork or whisk to break up any clumps.
- Gently spoon the flour into your measuring cup until full, but don't pack it down.
- Use the back of a knife to level the flour with the top of the measuring cup. You can sweep excess flour back into the container.