Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Bars
Cookie dough is a universally loved indulgence. Who hasn’t snuck a bite of raw dough while preparing cookies in the kitchen, savoring the sweet, buttery goodness and knowing that once those cookies are baked, the dough is gone? But what if you could take that irresistible cookie dough and turn it into a full-fledged dessert—one that’s just as sweet and rich as the dough itself, with the added bonus of being gluten-free? Enter Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Bars, a delightful treat that combines a buttery, chocolate shortbread crust with a luscious, creamy cookie dough filling, all topped off with a layer of melted Hershey chocolate.
Who doesn’t love cookie dough? What’s not to love? A brown sugary cookie dough lightly flavored with vanilla and dotted with chocolate chips…pure perfection! These bars make it possible for everyone to easily enjoy a chunk of cookie dough without the need for scooping everyone a serving. They’re super easy because you prepare them a day or two in advance, keep them in the fridge, slice them up, and set them out on your dessert table! It couldn’t be easier!
These cookie dough bars are one of our most popular recipes by both family members and followers. They’re so incredibly simple, but pack a punch of chocolaty cookie dough flavor! Sometimes, the simplest things are the most delicious. That is definitely the case here. These bars are PERFECT for literally any occasion; a birthday, a holiday, or just a simple Friday night. The chocolate shortbread cookie bottom is sooo simple, the cookie dough layer is even easier, and the chocolate on the top is the easiest part! So, this recipe is extremely beginner-friendly and can even be a fun after school dessert to make with the kiddos - Like I said before, these bars are perfect for any occasion!!
These bars are a game-changer for anyone who loves cookie dough but wants something a little more indulgent, shareable, and easy to serve. From the crunchy shortbread base to the rich cookie dough filling and the smooth chocolate topping, every bite is a heavenly experience that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday, a family gathering, or a simple treat for yourself, these bars are sure to impress. Let’s dive into what makes them so special.
The Taste: Sweet, Buttery, and Irresistibly Addictive
At first bite, the flavor of these bars hits you like a wave of sweet nostalgia. You get the familiar, comforting taste of cookie dough—rich with butter, brown sugar, and vanilla—and the satisfying crunch of the chocolate shortbread crust. The cookie dough filling is creamy, soft, and full of flavor, with mini chocolate chips adding a touch of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate goodness with every bite.
The chocolate shortbread crust serves as the perfect base for this dessert. It’s not too sweet, allowing the filling to shine while providing a satisfying crunch. The cocoa powder in the crust adds a subtle chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cookie dough and the creamy chocolate topping.
And then there’s the Hershey chocolate topping. Once melted and poured over the cookie dough, it hardens to create a smooth, glossy layer that adds both flavor and texture. The chocolate topping isn’t just a garnish—it’s an essential part of the bar, adding richness and an extra layer of decadence to this already indulgent dessert. Altogether, the flavors in these bars work in perfect harmony, giving you a treat that’s sweet, buttery, chocolaty, and utterly addictive.
The Texture: A Perfect Blend of Crunchy, Creamy, and Smooth
Texture plays a key role in what makes these cookie dough bars so special. Each bite gives you a delightful contrast between different layers, starting with the crispy, buttery shortbread crust. The crust is firm but not too thick, providing a perfect balance to the soft, creamy cookie dough filling above it.
The cookie dough filling itself is the star of the show, with its smooth, dense texture that resembles the best part of cookie dough—before it’s baked. The dough is thick and rich, but still soft and spreadable, and the mini chocolate chips dotting the dough give it little pockets of melted chocolate that add to the overall texture experience.
On top of it all is the melted Hershey chocolate layer. This smooth, glossy chocolate topping hardens to give the bars a satisfying bite, contrasting nicely with the soft filling. The result is a dessert that’s not only delicious but incredibly satisfying to eat, with a combination of textures that will have you reaching for another bar before you even realize it.
Easiness: A Fun, Simple Dessert That’s Foolproof
If you’ve ever made homemade cookie dough and found yourself tempted to eat it before it even reaches the oven, then you’ll love how easy it is to prepare these bars. While they may look like an impressive, complex dessert, they come together with relatively simple ingredients and minimal effort. Here’s why these bars are so easy to make:
Simple Shortbread Crust: The crust is quick to prepare, requiring only a few pantry staples: gluten-free flour, cocoa, brown sugar, powdered sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt. Simply pulse everything together in a food processor, press it into a pan, and bake. There’s no need for fancy tools or complicated techniques.
Cookie Dough Filling: The cookie dough is just as simple. Cream together butter and sugars, add in the milk and vanilla, mix in the heat-treated flour (which is baked briefly to make it safe for consumption), and then fold in the mini chocolate chips. It’s a straightforward process that’s foolproof, even for beginners.
Assembling and Chilling: Once the cookie dough is spread over the cooled shortbread crust, the bars need to chill for a couple of hours to firm up. This hands-off step gives you time to relax while the bars set to perfection.
Chocolate Topping: The final step—melting the Hershey bars and pouring them over the chilled cookie dough—requires minimal effort and creates a stunning finish. A quick refrigeration period allows everything to set and makes the bars easy to cut into neat squares.
In less than a few hours, you’ve got a crowd-pleasing, indulgent dessert with minimal work.
Perfect for Every Holiday: Versatility and Fun
What makes these cookie dough bars even better is their versatility. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply making a batch for a family get-together, these bars are perfect for every occasion.
Christmas: You can make them festive by adding red and green sprinkles or holiday-themed mini chocolate chips. These bars would be a hit at any holiday cookie exchange or as part of your festive dessert spread.
Valentine’s Day: With their indulgent chocolate layers and soft, sweet cookie dough, they’re a great option for a Valentine’s Day treat. You can even shape them into hearts before cutting them into bars or drizzle with extra chocolate for a romantic touch.
Thanksgiving: If you’re looking for a fun alternative to traditional pies, these bars would be perfect for Thanksgiving dessert. The warm, comforting flavor of cookie dough combined with chocolate is a treat everyone will love.
Easter: For Easter, you could make them extra special by adding pastel-colored M&Ms or candy-coated chocolate pieces on top, giving them a playful, festive touch.
The best part is that these bars are equally perfect for casual gatherings or formal parties, making them a go-to dessert for any holiday, birthday, or special occasion.
Serving Tips: How to Enjoy These Bars
One of the best things about these bars is how easy they are to serve. You don’t have to worry about cutting a pie or dealing with a messy cake—just slice the bars into squares, and you’re ready to go. But here are a few ways you can elevate the experience:
Serve Warm with Ice Cream: While these bars are delicious at room temperature, they’re absolutely heavenly when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of cold, creamy ice cream with the warm, gooey cookie dough and chocolate topping is a dessert dream come true.
Pair with Coffee or Milk: Whether you’re enjoying a quiet afternoon or serving them at a party, these bars pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee. The sweetness of the bars complements the richness of the coffee or milk, making each bite more enjoyable.
Add Toppings: If you want to take these bars to the next level, you can top them with extra chocolate chips, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a sprinkle of sea salt for a little contrast to the sweetness.
Why These Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Bars Are a Must-Make
Irresistible taste: The combination of buttery cookie dough, a chocolate shortbread crust, and a Hershey chocolate topping is truly addictive.
Great texture: With a contrast of crispy crust, creamy cookie dough, and smooth chocolate topping, every bite is a delightful experience.
Super easy to make: With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, these bars come together effortlessly and are always a hit.
Perfect for any occasion: Whether it's Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or a family BBQ, these bars are versatile enough for any holiday or event.
Addictive and fun: Once you have one bar, it’s hard to stop—these treats are the kind of dessert everyone keeps coming back for!
Let the baking begin!
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Always preheat your oven.
- All refrigerated ingredients should be room temperature unless stated otherwise.
- You can heat treat your flour as far in advance as you’d like, but make sure that it’s cooled off when adding it to the cookie dough.
- Be patient when pulsing the butter into the crust ingredients - it will take a few minutes.
These Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Bars are the ultimate indulgence, offering all the creamy, sweet flavors of cookie dough in a form that’s easy to make, serve, and enjoy. With their irresistible taste, perfect texture, and versatility for any occasion, they’re bound to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Whether you serve them for a holiday, a casual get-together, or just because you deserve a treat, these bars will never disappoint.
