Our 10 Best Bar Cookie Recipes

on August 30, 2011

Top 10 Bar Cookies

Who can resist the aroma of fresh baked cookies still warm from the oven? We can't and you won't be able to either with these delicious recipes. Our 10 favorite bar cookies are quick, easy and travel well. Make a batch for your friends or coworkers.

Mincemeat Bars

Filled with rich mincemeat and a crumbly oat-filled crust and topping, this recipe comes from reader Marjorie Reif. “It always brings back happy memories of Christmas and our family of three children. We lived through the Depression but never felt depressed with goodies like this,” says the resident of Spearfish, S.D. Get the recipe

Cherry Coconut Bars

A family favorite, it’s a snap to whip up a batch of coconut and cherry-laced treats. “These bars have been a family favorite for nearly 50 years,” says reader Patty Strickland of Waverly, Ohio, who submitted this recipe. “I was a new mother in December 1959, when a neighbor brought over a plate of these bars along with a baby gift a few days after I arrived home.” Get the recipe

Mango Oat Breakfast Bars

Steer clear of preservative-filled, store-bought granola bars and bake a batch of healthy homemade treats. Filled with mango, oats and walnuts, these bars are a great start to the day and the perfect after-school snack. Get the recipe

Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

These easy dessert bars star a swirl of raspberry jam. “I love cheesecake and wanted to take a recipe, simplify it, and make it my own,” says Heather Stine of Catawissa, Penn., who submitted this easy and delicious recipe. Get the recipe

Relish Bars

Crunchy, fruity, buttery and chocolaty, relish these scrumptious bars with a cup of coffee or big glass of milk. You can use any kind of jam, or even cranberry relish, in the center. Oats and whole-wheat flour add fiber, and the nuts add heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Get the recipe

Butterscotch Toffee Squares

Butterscotch Toffee Squares It’s almost impossible to go wrong with a buttery alternative to chocolate brownies. Bits of chocolate-covered toffee make this a crowd-pleasing and travel-friendly dessert. Better make a double batch--these will go quickly. Get the recipe

Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bars

These buttery bars are the specialty of the Aloha Angel Café on Hawaii’s Big Island. Created by baker Cathy Haber, they have it all: a buttery, crunchy, nutty crust, caramel and rich chocolate. How can you resist this rich taste of Hawaii? Get the recipe

Chewy Walnut Trail Bars

Baked ahead of time, these nutrition-packed trail bars are perfect for long trips, hikes or even work commutes. Get the recipe

Browned Butter White Chocolate Blondies

Macadamia nuts and white chocolate are the counterpoint for the toasty taste of brown butter in these rich treats. Bake them in a 9-inch pan for thick bars or a 13-by-9-inch pan for a thinner version. Either way, they’re delicious! Get the recipe

Hello Dolly Cookies

Variations are often called “Magic Cookie Bars” or a “7-Layer Bars,” the Hello Dolly Cookie is a staple at schools, potlucks and holiday gatherings. This version comes from Linda Little. “This recipe is one of my all time favorites at Christmas. It is not at all unusual for me to bake several batches of Hello Dolly Cookies through out the holidays,” says the resident of Diana, Texas. Get the recipe