Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking pan
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3. Prepare the wet mixture
   In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and no lumps remain. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until incorporated.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix. Fold in 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips and nuts (if using), reserving the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for topping.
5. Bake the cookie bars
   Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips on top. Bake for 24-26 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
6. Cool and slice
   Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and cut into 16 squares with a sharp knife.