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Rich, soft, and sweetened just right with honey, these cookie bars are everything you love about a classic chocolate chip cookie—only thicker, softer, and even more irresistible. Made with salted butter, brown sugar, honey, tahini, eggs, and vanilla, each bar bakes up ultra-doughy with gooey pockets of dark chocolate throughout. They’re the kind of treat you’ll keep sneaking back to for “just one more bite.”

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

For the past two weeks, my little five-year-old brother, Oslo, has been asking for cookies every single night. He loves a good sugar cookie and will happily bite into anything with lots of chocolate.

After a holiday season full of sweet treats, I wanted to bake him something a little less sugary—but still very fun and very delicious. With an upcoming trip to Aspen, I thought cookie bars would be the perfect bake-ahead treat to send them off with. And honestly, it felt good to finally give Oslo the cookies he’s been requesting nonstop.

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

These bars come together quickly and are always a crowd favorite. The key is not overbaking—you want them soft and doughy in the center. “Half Baked” is exactly the idea.

The tahini adds a subtle nutty depth, while the honey keeps the sweetness balanced, making these feel just right for the new year. Cozy, simple, and so good.

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

Ingredients 

  • salted butter
  • brown sugar
  • honey – this is my favorite raw honey
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • tahini
  • flour
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • dark chocolate chips
  • dark chocolate chunks

From the Kitchen

All you’ll need is a stand mixer or hand mixer, a bowl, and a baking dish for these cookies.

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

The Steps

Step 1: Beat the Wet Ingredients

Beat the butter with the brown sugar and honey until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition so they incorporate evenly. Stir in the vanilla extract and tahini. This step is quick and simple, but it sets the foundation for that soft, doughy texture.

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 3: Add the Chocolate

Fold in a generous mix of chocolate chips and chocolate chunks. Using both gives you pockets of melty chocolate throughout the bars, which makes them extra delicious and perfectly chocolatey.

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 4: Bake

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake just until the edges are set and the center is still soft. These bars are meant to be doughy, so underbaking is key. Baking too long will dry them out, especially since the tahini absorbs some moisture.

You can slice into the bars while they’re still warm and enjoy that melty chocolate goodness right away—so good!

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

I packed up my last batch for my family, and they absolutely loved them. My mom especially loved how lightly sweet they are. The tahini adds a subtle nutty flavor without overpowering, and of course, all that chocolate makes every bar extra irresistible!

Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other dessert recipes? Here are my favorites: 

5 Ingredient Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies

Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

Healthy…ish Homemade Samoas Cookies

Lastly, if you make these Doughy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 cookie bars
Calories Per Serving: 214 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking 9x13 inch dish with parchment paper.
    2. In a bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, honey, and tahini until combined. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time. Add the vanilla, beating until creamy. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips/chunks.
    3. Spread the dough out into the prepared dish. Bake 16-20 minutes for a doughy cookie bar. They will continue to cook slightly. The longer you bake, the more set the cookies will be.
    4. Let cool 30 minutes or so, then cut into bars. Eat and enjoy, or let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. 
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This post was originally published on January 9, 2026
3.50 from 10 votes

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Comments

  1. Did you bake them in the Staub ceramic pan that you listed in your article?

    Would it matter for texture or time if using glass or metal pan?

    Love all your recipes and articles!

    1. Hi Diane,
      Thanks so much!! Yes, I baked them in my Staub, I prefer to use that over glass for this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious! Not what I was expecting. More of an ooey gooey bar. Added 1 tsp coarse sea salt instead of 1/2 tsp regular which added a slight crunch. Used semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small amount of chopped milk and chopped dark chocolate. Will make again!

    1. Hey Tina,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and your notes, so glad it was enjoyed!

      Have a great Sunday!☃️

    1. Hey Kassandra,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and your notes, so glad it was enjoyed!

      Have a great Sunday!☃️

    1. Hey Kassandra,
      Love to hear this! Thanks for giving this recipe a go, so glad it was enjoyed!

      Have a great weekend!☃️

  3. 5 stars
    Great recipe. Came out perfect. My husband wants me to make them again but add some shredded coconut. Do you think they’ll dry them out to much if I add some in?

    1. Thanks so much, Rachel!! I haven’t tried that so I can’t say for sure, but I would add some in!

      Let me know how it turns out for you!