Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars – a delightful blend of rich chocolate, wholesome oats, and a satisfying crunch from your favorite cereal, all crowned with a luscious peanut butter drizzle. These bars are not just a treat for your taste buds but also a convenient and energizing way to kickstart your day.
Start Your Day Right: The Ultimate Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars
Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of chocolate, knowing a chewy, satisfying bar awaits – packed with goodness and a hint of peanut butter. These Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars are more than just a morning indulgence; they are a perfect harmony of texture and flavor, designed to make your mornings brighter and your busy days smoother. Whether you’re rushing out the door, need a mid-morning pick-me-up, or simply crave a comforting treat, these bars deliver on all fronts.
Why These Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars Will Become Your New Favorite
For many, chocolate for breakfast might sound like a dream, but with these cookie bars, it’s a delicious reality that’s surprisingly wholesome. We’ve crafted a recipe that balances decadence with practical ingredients, ensuring each bite offers both flavor and fuel. Here’s why these bars stand out:
- Perfect Texture: They are wonderfully chewy, offering that satisfying bite reminiscent of your favorite cookies, yet firm enough to be a perfect grab-and-go bar.
- Irresistible Flavor Combination: Rich, deep chocolate notes pair beautifully with the creamy, slightly salty peanut butter drizzle, creating a flavor profile that’s simply divine.
- Wholesome Ingredients: Packed with old-fashioned oats for sustained energy and fiber, and crunchy cereal for an added textural dimension, these bars are a more substantial option than your average cookie.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easy to adapt to your taste, you can swap cereals, add different toppings, or even incorporate nuts and dried fruits.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare a batch over the weekend, and you’ll have delicious, ready-to-eat breakfast or snack options all week long. They store beautifully and are perfect for busy schedules.
My love for chocolate in the morning, especially after experimenting with delights like our Double Chocolate Muffins with Peanut Butter Drizzle, directly inspired these bars. The idea was simple: take a beloved cereal cookie recipe, enhance the chocolate, skip the citrus zest (though you can certainly add it back for a zesty twist!), and bake it all in a pan for effortless cutting. The result? Pure breakfast bar perfection.
Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars
Author: Anna
Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars – delicious chewy chocolate bars that are packed with crunchy cereal and oats. Drizzle with peanut butter for even more flavor!
Ingredients
- ½ c unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ c granulated sugar
- ½ c packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ c all-purpose flour
- ¼ c unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 c old-fashioned oats
- 1 c Cheerios (or similar plain O-shaped cereal)
- ½ c semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ c smooth peanut butter, warmed to a drizzling consistency
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix just until everything is combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix just until no streaks of flour remain, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough bars. Gently fold in the old-fashioned oats, cereal (like Cheerios), and semi-sweet chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it is thoroughly chilled. This is a crucial step for the best texture and prevents the bars from spreading too much during baking. Aim for 2 to 3 hours, or ideally, refrigerate overnight.
- When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Line a 13″x9″ baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. Lightly grease the paper/foil for extra non-stick insurance.
- Scrape the chilled dough into the prepared baking pan. You can use an ice cream scoop to distribute it evenly, then use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the dough into an even layer across the entire bottom of the pan.
- Bake for 16 to 19 minutes, or until the edges of the bars appear set and dry. The center might still look slightly soft or “underdone,” and that’s perfectly normal. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important for them to set properly and achieve the desired chewy texture. Resist the urge to cut them while warm!
- Once completely cooled, warm the smooth peanut butter (you can microwave it for 30-60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until it reaches a pourable, drizzling consistency). Drizzle generously over the cooled bars.
- Let the peanut butter drizzle set for about 15 minutes at room temperature, or a few minutes in the fridge, before cutting.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 12 even bars using a sharp knife. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 346 kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2.6mg
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Tips for Perfect Breakfast Cookie Bars Every Time
- Don’t Skip the Chilling: Refrigerating the dough for at least 2-3 hours (or overnight) is essential. This helps the flavors meld, prevents the bars from spreading too thin, and contributes to that desirable chewy texture.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For best results, spoon your flour into a measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly can compact the flour, leading to too much dry ingredient.
- Don’t Overbake: These bars are meant to be chewy, so a slightly underbaked center is ideal. They will continue to set as they cool. Overbaking can result in dry, crumbly bars.
- Cool Completely: Patience is key! Allow the bars to cool fully in the pan before cutting. This ensures they hold their shape and have the perfect texture.
- Peanut Butter Consistency: If your peanut butter is too thick to drizzle, warm it gently in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s smooth and pourable.
Customization and Variations
These Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars are incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different additions to make them uniquely yours:
- Cereal Swap: While Cheerios provide a great neutral crunch, feel free to try other cereals like Rice Krispies, cornflakes, or even crushed graham crackers for a different twist.
- Nut Butter Alternatives: Not a fan of peanut butter or have allergies? Almond butter, cashew butter, or even a chocolate hazelnut spread like Nutella would make fantastic drizzles.
- Add-ins Galore:
- Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds can add extra texture and healthy fats.
- Dried Fruits: Dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots could introduce a lovely fruity element.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny bit of cayenne pepper (for a Mexican chocolate kick) can elevate the flavor profile.
- Citrus Zest: As mentioned, adding orange or tangerine zest to the dough before baking can brighten the chocolate flavor beautifully, much like the original cookie recipe that inspired these bars.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: For a different aesthetic and flavor, melt some white chocolate chips and drizzle them over the cooled bars instead of peanut butter, or even in addition to it!
Storage Suggestions
These Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars are perfect for meal prepping and storing:
- Room Temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For best results and to prevent sticking, place parchment paper between layers of bars.
- Refrigerator: If you prefer them chilled or want to extend their freshness, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The peanut butter drizzle will be firmer when cold.
- Freezer: These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled and cut, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for about an hour until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, again with parchment paper between layers, for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a quick treat.
A Versatile Treat for Any Occasion
While we call them “Breakfast Cookie Bars,” their appeal extends far beyond the morning meal. Their hearty yet indulgent nature makes them perfect for a variety of situations:
- On-the-Go Breakfast: Grab one as you head out the door for a quick and satisfying start to your day.
- Mid-Day Snack: A great energy boost to tide you over until your next meal.
- Afternoon Treat: Pair with a cup of coffee or tea for a comforting pick-me-up.
- Lunchbox Addition: Kids and adults alike will love finding these in their lunch bags.
- Post-Workout Snack: The combination of oats, chocolate, and peanut butter provides a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats for recovery.
- Hiking & Picnics: They travel well and provide sustained energy for outdoor adventures.
- Road Trips: A much healthier and more delicious alternative to gas station snacks.
Whether you follow the recipe exactly or get creative with your own twists, these Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Bars are guaranteed to be a hit. They are fantastically chewy, perfectly chocolate-y with just the right amount of crunch from the cereal, and the peanut butter drizzle adds that extra layer of deliciousness that makes them truly irresistible. Give them a try and transform your breakfast routine!