13 Delicious Bar Cookie Recipes that Can Serve a Crowd (2024)

FAQs

What pan is best for bar cookies? ›

9-by-13-inch baking pans: To make bar cookies, you obviously need a pan to bake them in. I prefer metal, straight-sided pans that truly measure 9 by 13. Many pans have rounded corners, dramatically-sloped sides or are slightly smaller in dimension than their labeling might suggest.

For a 13×9 Pan:

On the long side of the pan, make a mark and cut down every 2 1/10-inches, so you have 6 columns. Turn the pan to its shorter side and make one cut down the middle, 4 ½-inches from the edge. You'll end up with 12 2 1/10×4 ½-inch rectangles.

Which oven rack position should you use when baking cookies? Cookies should be baked on the center oven rack for even heating and air circulation. As a best practice, is it recommended to rotate the cookie sheet or sheets roughly halfway, or shortly thereafter, through the baking time, if needed.

We recommend one standard-sized cupcake per guest. If you prefer minis, we suggest two to three minis per guest.

Popular sweets right now are cupcakes, cake pops, designer chocolate-covered Oreos, French macaroons and mini donuts. There are many shops that sell online and ship baked goods nationwide. Stick with your theme and color scheme and you'll have a visually appealing presentation.

Chocolate chip cookies

What is the most popular type of cookie? It might just be this one. Ever the crowd-pleaser, the chocolate chip cookie is renowned for its balance of richness and sweetness.

Bar Cookies are cookies that the dough is baked spread-out in a pan. The cookies are cut into “bars” after baking. Most drop cookies can also be made into bar cookies. Bar cookie dough is pretty stiff/firm like a cookie dough. They are usually simple & straight-forward cookies, that are fun to make!

A potluck staple, bar cookies (or bars) are made from a batter or stiff dough that is poured or pressed into a baking pan or baking dish, then baked, cooled and cut into bars, squares or diamonds. Bars can be single-layered (like brownies) or multi-layered – with cake-like or chewy textures.

How to set up a dessert buffet? ›

Consider balance and symmetry when arranging desserts on the table. Place taller items at the back and shorter ones towards the front. This creates an organized look. Avoid overcrowding the table, as it can make it difficult for guests to navigate and enjoy the treats comfortably.

We recommend 2-4 items per guest, but don't worry, we'll help make sure you have enough servings to go around!

Baking Pans for Bars

Those include an 8" x 8" x 2" baking pan, a 13" x 9" baking pan, or a 14" x 10" jellyroll pan, depending on what the recipe specifies. (Learn more about baking pans and how to choose one.)

Aluminized steel, which is essentially steel sandwiched in aluminum, is more prone to uneven heat distribution. While stainless steel is a preferred material for many cookware pieces, it's widely known to be a poor performer in the baking sheet category because it's not as good at conducting heat as aluminum.

Parchment paper offers numerous benefits that make it an ideal choice for baking cookies. Unlike greasing a baking sheet, parchment paper provides a non-stick surface without the need for additional fats, resulting in cookies that effortlessly release from the baking surface.