Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line an 8x8” baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease, set aside.

In a medium bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, sea salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together for 1 minute.

Add eggs and vanilla and beat for an additional 1 minute.

Next, add the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Stir in chocolate chips on low speed until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Spread the dough in an even layer in the prepared pan.

Gently press chopped chocolate over the top of the dough.

Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the edges look set and the bars are only very slightly jiggly.

If desired, sprinkle the top of the chocolate cookie bars immediately with flaked sea salt after removing them from the oven.

Cool completely on a wire cooling rack.

Use the parchment paper to lift the chocolate cookies bars out of the pan, cut and serve.