Preheat oven to 325º F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and mix together.

Place butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and melt, stirring frequently, until browned. 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and let browned butter cool.

In a large bowl or mixer, beat together butter and sugars until combined then mix in eggs one at a time. Add in vanilla extract, then gradually mix in dry ingredients until just incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips, then pour cookie dough out into greased baking dish and smooth over the top.

If using, lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt evenly over the cookie dough, then place baking dish in oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cookie bar is golden brown and the edges have begun to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes before slicing into bars.