Chocolate Chip Pan Chewies are the perfect cross between a cookie and a brownie, offering that irresistible chewy texture that satisfies any sweet tooth. This classic American treat features a buttery, brown sugar base studded with rich chocolate chips, all baked to golden perfection in a single pan for effortless preparation and serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-bowl mixing method means minimal cleanup and maximum convenience
• Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish
• Perfectly chewy texture with crisp edges and a soft center
• Easily customizable with your favorite mix-ins
• Simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry

Ingredients

• Butter: Use unsalted butter, melted to create that rich, chewy texture. The melted state helps create those signature crinkly tops.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like flavor and contributes to the chewy texture. Light or dark brown sugar works, with dark offering a more robust molasses flavor.
• Egg: Acts as a binder for the batter and contributes to the structure. Room temperature egg incorporates more easily.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile. Pure vanilla extract offers the best flavor, but imitation works in a pinch.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our chewies. For a more tender result, measure using the spoon-and-level method rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup.
• Baking Powder: Provides just the right amount of lift without making them too cakey.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Kosher salt or fine sea salt works best.
• Baking Soda: Works with the brown sugar to create that perfect chewy texture and golden color.
• Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice, but milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips can be used based on preference.

Variations

Nutty Delight

Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for added texture and a delicious nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate. Toast the nuts beforehand for enhanced flavor.

Triple Chocolate

Transform these into an indulgent triple chocolate treat by using a mix of semi-sweet, milk, and white chocolate chips. You can also add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the batter for an even more intense chocolate experience.

Salted Caramel

Swirl in caramel sauce before baking and sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt for a sophisticated sweet-and-salty twist that elevates these chewies to gourmet status.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Preheat your oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×9-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. For easy removal, consider lining the pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides to use as handles later.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar, stirring until smooth and well incorporated. The mixture should look like wet sand. Add the vanilla extract and egg, then mix until the batter becomes smooth and glossy. This creates the foundation for that perfect chewy texture.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Gently stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough chewies. The batter will be thick and sticky at this point.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. Pour the completed mixture into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to the corners.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Look for golden brown edges with a slightly paler center. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Allow to cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the texture chewy rather than cakey
• For picture-perfect chewies, reserve a handful of chocolate chips to sprinkle on top before baking
• Let the melted butter cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients to prevent cooking the egg
• For clean-cut squares, refrigerate for 30 minutes after cooling before slicing
• The center might look slightly underdone when you remove it from the oven, but it will set up as it cools
• Line your baking pan with parchment paper for effortless removal and easy cleanup

How to Serve

Chocolate Chip Pan Chewies are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Enjoy them warm from the oven for that irresistible gooey center, or at room temperature for a more set, chewy bite. For an indulgent dessert, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge sauce.

These treats make excellent additions to lunch boxes, picnic baskets, or cookie platters. For a special presentation, dust with a light coating of powdered sugar or serve on a decorative platter with fresh berries for a pop of color. They pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, hot coffee, or afternoon tea.

Make Ahead

Chocolate Chip Pan Chewies are perfect for making ahead. The batter can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Just allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.

Once baked and cooled, store these chewies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave before serving.

The unbaked dough can also be frozen for up to a month. Simply prepare the batter, spread it in a parchment-lined pan, freeze until solid, then wrap well. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

FAQs

Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?

Yes! Double all ingredients and use a 9×13-inch baking pan. The baking time may need to be increased by 5-7 minutes, but keep an eye on them and check with a toothpick for doneness.

Why did my chewies turn out cakey instead of chewy?

Over-mixing the batter or adding too much flour can result in a cakey texture. Make sure to mix just until ingredients are combined and measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off.

Can I use different mix-ins besides chocolate chips?

Absolutely! M&Ms, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or chopped candy bars all make excellent substitutions or additions. Just keep the total amount of mix-ins to about 1 cup.

Are these gluten-free?

The standard recipe is not gluten-free, but you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for a gluten-free version with similar results.

Conclusion

Chocolate Chip Pan Chewies are the perfect solution when you’re craving homemade cookies but short on time. With their irresistible chewy texture, rich buttery flavor, and generous chocolate chips in every bite, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, an after-school treat, or simply to satisfy a sweet tooth, these pan chewies deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. Give this recipe a try today and discover your new go-to dessert!

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