Tips for slicing bars perfectly
You’ve gone to all the trouble of making this delicious recipe and now it’s time to slice and serve. You’ve got this! Just follow these easy tips and tricks for picture perfect bars (we’re talking Instagram worthy) every time!
Step 1: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper. Allow the paper to hang over the edges by 1 to 2 inches and secure with metal binder clips (don’t worry, they’re oven safe!).
Step 2: Cool the bars completely! We want the bars to be solid and firm so chill overnight for best results. Slicing the bars while still warm will be a gooey, messy endeavor. Though not necessarily always a bad thing in my book.
Step 3: Use the parchment paper lining to carefully remove the chilled bars from the pan and place on a sturdy cutting board. For clean cuts, do not slice the bars in the pan.
Step 4: This is where my OCD kicks in. Break out a ruler to measure equal size cuts. Do not slice into the brownies, but instead use a small knife to score the edges as you measure.
Step 5: Use a large, straight-edge knife (not serrated) to make clean cuts straight down into the bars. Lift the knife straight back up rather than using a sawing motion. For the cleanest cuts, run the knife under piping hot water in between each slice. Dry with a clean dish towel before making the next slice.
Tah-dah, dessert is served!
How to store
Store the chocolate chip pie bars in the refrigerator. This helps keep their dense, fudgy texture. They are delicious served cold and the texture is unbelievable. If you want to heat the bars before serving, pop them in a warm oven for a few minutes and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an ooey, gooey indulgent dessert.
These bars freeze perfectly. Cool them completely and wrap in two layers of plastic wrap and then store in a freezer bag or container for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving. They won’t freeze solid so they’re delicious straight from the freezer too – like CRAZY good!