Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 11 Extraordinary Outdoor Travel Experiences to Try This Year

      11 Extraordinary Outdoor Travel Experiences to Try This Year

      Have you ever slept in a treehouse? Paddled by moonlight? Seen the Milky Way? We challenge you to try one of these activities. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Des Moines' Hottest Food Neighborhoods You Need to Know About

    Des Moines' Hottest Food Neighborhoods You Need to Know About

    Korean egg sandwiches, Australian baked goods,Southeast Asian bing bing wraps—here’s an in-the-know guide to eating your way through this culinary capital.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    The Delicate, Spongy Basic Crepe Recipe You Can Master at Home—Plus 4 Ways to Upgrade It

    The Delicate, Spongy Basic Crepe Recipe You Can Master at Home—Plus 4 Ways to Upgrade It

    With encouragement from the owner of a Kansas City, Missouri, creperie, you’ll perfect these delicate pancakes in no time.
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With These Ideas from a Minneapolis Makeover

    Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With These Ideas from a Minneapolis Makeover

    With fresh paint and a terraced slope, a Minneapolis stucco goes from mousy to magnetic.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Plant a Rain Garden

    How to Plant a Rain Garden

    Turn a wet trouble spot into a lush and Earth-friendly oasis by capturing the rain.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath

    Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath

    For this do-it-yourself spring wreath, we bundled inexpensive paper-mache eggs in fuzzy, vibrant yarn.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Food
  3. Desserts & Baking
  4. Our Best Bar Cookies

Our Best Bar Cookies

By Midwest Living editors Updated December 23, 2022
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Coconut Chocolate Squares
Credit: Carson Downing

These bar cookie recipes will tempt dessert lovers with an array of flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, lemon, lime and raspberry.

Start Slideshow

1 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Coconut Chocolate Squares

Coconut Chocolate Squares
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Orange marmalade is a nice surprise in these rich (and ribbon-winning) bars created by Iowa State Fair entrant Marianne Carlson.

1 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brown Butter Apricot Bars

Brown Butter Apricot Bars
Credit: Brie Passano
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These deceptively delicious bars deliver the perfect, rich balance of sweet-tart fruit and buttery pastry.

2 of 34

3 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sweet-and-Salty Scotcheroos

Sweet-and-Salty Scotcheroos
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You would think there's no way to improve on a scotcheroo (that peanut-buttery, chocolate-y cousin to Rice Krispies treats). But then we added Fritos.

Related: Luscious Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes

3 of 34

Advertisement

4 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gooey Pecan Pie Bars

Gooey Pecan Pie Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These sweet, nutty and oh-so-buttery bars are a guaranteed showstopper on any cookie tray.

4 of 34

5 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mojito Bars

Mojito Bars
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Jacob Van Patten pours a refreshing summer cocktail into his creative take on lemon bars, which took the overall blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair.

5 of 34

6 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Oat Bars with Ginger and Coconut

Oat Bars with Ginger and Coconut
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Inspired by an English treat called a flapjack, these buttery bars have crisp edges and are chewy in the center. Discover more ways to power your day with oats.

6 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

S'Mores Squares

S’Mores Squares
Credit: Jason Donnelly
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These bars are a grown-up spin on a campfire classic: buttery graham cracker crust, chocolate mousse, toasty meringue.

Related: Decadent Chocolate Dessert Recipes

7 of 34

8 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Scandinavian Almond Bars

Scandinavian Almond Bars
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Perennial Iowa State Fair ribbon-winner Robin Tarbell-Thomas' buttery best-in-class bars are loaded with almond flavor.

Related: 11 Scandinavian Cookie Recipes

8 of 34

9 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salted Oatmeal Bars with Roasted White Chocolate Frosting

Salted Oatmeal Bars with Roasted White Chocolate Frosting
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasting white chocolate gives it a nutty flavor and caramel color; show both off in these utterly delicious salty-sweet bars.

Related: Try Roasted White Hot Chocolate with Malted Milk

9 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Apricot-Rosemary Streusel Bars

Apricot-Rosemary Streusel Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A rich, fruity filling bakes in a rosemary-infused crust, then gets drizzled with a powdered sugar icing.

10 of 34

11 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Harvest Apple Bars

Harvest Apple Bars
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Tammy Post's Iowa State Fair blue-ribbon recipe doesn't skimp on apples, which results in incredibly moist and indulgent bars.

11 of 34

12 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Date-Orange Bars

Date-Orange Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Date-nut desserts can be cloyingly sweet, but orange juice brightens these simple bars.

Related: Try Our Date Shake

12 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Peanut butter and chocolate meet for a sweet treat in this recipe from a Cedarburg, Wisconsin, reader who likes to make these bar cookies for potluck gatherings.

13 of 34

14 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sure, you've seen this combo before. But not done this well. This recipe doesn't use a whole can of pumpkin, so add leftovers to a smoothie, a pot of chili, hot oatmeal or even hummus.

14 of 34

15 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Peanut Cracker-Stack Bars

Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Peanut Cracker-Stack Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These fantastic potluck bars come from Patrice Hurd of Bemidji, Minnesota. They cut beautifully and brim with salty-sweet-nutty-chocolately flavor.

Related: The Best Dessert Recipes For Your Next Potluck

15 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maple-Walnut Banana Bars

Maple-Walnut Banana Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The math on these homey bars couldn't be simpler: one pan, one ripe banana and less than one hour from start to finish.

16 of 34

17 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Caramel Heavenlies

Caramel Heavenlies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Graham crackers form the base for this bar cookie with layers of marshmallows, brown sugar, almonds and coconut. 

Related: Family-Favorite Holiday Recipes

17 of 34

18 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brownie Bombs

Brownie Bombs
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These sinful brownies feature a cheesecake layer sandwiched between two ultra-rich chocolate layers.

Related: Rich, Moist Brownie Recipes

18 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gooey Butter Bars

Gooey Butter Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Traditionalists may grumble, but we think topping St. Louis-style gooey butter bars with fresh berries is a stroke of midsummer genius.

Related: Summer Dessert Recipes

19 of 34

20 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Scrumptious Seven-Layer Cookies

Scrumptious Seven-Layer Cookies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These rich bar cookies star among the sweets at Stafford's Bay View Inn in Petoskey, Michigan. Mix and match among your favorite treats for some of the layers to create a dessert that's just right for your family.

20 of 34

21 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Peanut Butter Chip and Jelly Bars

Peanut Butter Chip and Jelly Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The flavor of these bars from Connie Siegel of Wisconsin will take you right back to your school lunchroom! If you don't like grape jelly, strawberry would work well, too.

 

21 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Luscious Lemon Bars

Luscious Lemon Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet and tart, these moist, powdered sugar-topped classics will disappear fast at a potluck.

Related: Lemon Dessert Recipes

22 of 34

23 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butterscotch Pretzel Bars

Butterscotch Pretzel Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This sweet-salty dessert goes together quickly with a no-bake bottom and a topping of butterscotch pieces and whipping cream heated on the stove.

23 of 34

24 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Layers of cheesecake, raspberry filling, almonds and coconut form dessert bars perfect for summer picnics and potlucks.

Related: Mouthwatering Raspberry Dessert Recipes

24 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Danish Pastry Apple Bars

Danish Pastry Apple Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This recipe for Danish Pastry Apple Bars comes from an Indiana teacher who discovered these treats in a student's lunch box years ago. The student's family was happy to share the recipe; the results taste almost like apple pie.

25 of 34

26 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salted Peanut Bars

Salted Peanut Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Luscious caramel tops a sweet-salty treat of peanuts, pretzels, marshmallow crème and peanut butter.

26 of 34

27 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Toffee Bars

Toffee Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These moist, easy brownies get a little extra crunch from a topping of toffee pieces.

Related: Quick-and-Easy Dessert Recipes

27 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars

Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Love sweet and salty combos? You'll fall for these bars with sweet toffee, toasted pecans and a spiced Ginger Crumb Crust.

28 of 34

29 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cherry Crumble Pie Bars

Cherry Crumble Pie Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Zesty lemon peel adds zing to this fruit bar cookie; almond extract and brown sugar give it extra sweetness.

29 of 34

30 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Caramel and Chocolate Kettle-Corn Crispie Bars

Recipe contest winner: Caramel and Chocolate Kettle-Corn Crispie Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These bars, from Judy Reynolds of Bloomington, Indiana, start with a Hoosier staple—popcorn—for  sweet-salty snack bars. Homemade caramel sauce helps makes them a standout.

30 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Triple Peanut Butter Streusel Bars

Triple Peanut Butter Streusel Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dry-roasted peanuts, peanut butter-flavored pieces and peanut butter bring triple flavor to this make-ahead bar cookie.

31 of 34

32 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butter-Pecan Bars

Butter-Pecan Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These candy-like bar cookies have a brown sugar crust and a filling of brown sugar, butter and chopped pecans. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces immediately after baking.

32 of 34

33 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Blueberry-Almond Bars

Blueberry-Almond Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fruit fillings complement the sweetness of other bar cookie ingredients. Blueberry-Almond Bars was a grand champion award recipe at the Marshall County Fair's annual Blueberry Bake-A-Rama in Plymouth, Indiana. Lori Van Der Weele combined blueberries, butter, white baking pieces and almonds for this winner.

Related: Blueberry Recipes You'll Love

33 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 34

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maple Nutty Candy

Maple Nutty Candy
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These bar cookies combine four winning flavors: peanut butter, maple, butterscotch and chocolate. The easy recipe, from a Wabash, Indiana, reader, makes about 6 pounds of bar candy. We suggest freezing the bars and thawing them out as needed.

34 of 34

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Midwest Living editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 34 Coconut Chocolate Squares
    2 of 34 Brown Butter Apricot Bars
    3 of 34 Sweet-and-Salty Scotcheroos
    4 of 34 Gooey Pecan Pie Bars
    5 of 34 Mojito Bars
    6 of 34 Oat Bars with Ginger and Coconut
    7 of 34 S'Mores Squares
    8 of 34 Scandinavian Almond Bars
    9 of 34 Salted Oatmeal Bars with Roasted White Chocolate Frosting
    10 of 34 Apricot-Rosemary Streusel Bars
    11 of 34 Harvest Apple Bars
    12 of 34 Date-Orange Bars
    13 of 34 Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars
    14 of 34 Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars
    15 of 34 Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Peanut Cracker-Stack Bars
    16 of 34 Maple-Walnut Banana Bars
    17 of 34 Caramel Heavenlies
    18 of 34 Brownie Bombs
    19 of 34 Gooey Butter Bars
    20 of 34 Scrumptious Seven-Layer Cookies
    21 of 34 Peanut Butter Chip and Jelly Bars
    22 of 34 Luscious Lemon Bars
    23 of 34 Butterscotch Pretzel Bars
    24 of 34 Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
    25 of 34 Danish Pastry Apple Bars
    26 of 34 Salted Peanut Bars
    27 of 34 Toffee Bars
    28 of 34 Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars
    29 of 34 Cherry Crumble Pie Bars
    30 of 34 Caramel and Chocolate Kettle-Corn Crispie Bars
    31 of 34 Triple Peanut Butter Streusel Bars
    32 of 34 Butter-Pecan Bars
    33 of 34 Blueberry-Almond Bars
    34 of 34 Maple Nutty Candy

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Our Best Bar Cookies
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.