Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive and easy-to-make treat that combines the joy of cookies with the convenience of bars. These bars are loaded with colorful holiday sprinkles, chocolate chips, and often flavored with classic holiday spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. They’re perfect for sharing at parties, gifting, or enjoying with a warm cup of hot cocoa!
Here's how to make Christmas Cookie Bars:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for a warm holiday flavor)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a mix of your favorite chips)
- 1/2 cup colorful holiday sprinkles (optional, for a festive touch)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
- Additional holiday sprinkles for topping
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, sprinkles, and nuts (if using). Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
5. Spread the Batter in the Pan:
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9x13-inch baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Sprinkle a few more colorful holiday sprinkles on top for decoration, if desired.
6. Bake the Bars:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
- Be careful not to overbake, as these cookie bars can become too dry if left in the oven too long.
7. Cool and Cut:
- Let the cookie bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes before cutting them into squares or rectangles.
- For the cleanest cuts, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve these festive cookie bars with a glass of milk or your favorite holiday beverage.
- They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or you can freeze them for longer storage.
Tips:
- Flavor Variations: You can add other mix-ins like white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or dried cranberries for more holiday flavors.
- Decorative Touch: For an extra festive look, drizzle the top with melted chocolate or add a sprinkle of powdered sugar once the bars have cooled.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these bars gluten-free.
Christmas Cookie Bars are a fun, easy way to enjoy holiday baking without the fuss of making individual cookies. With chocolate chips, sprinkles, and a soft, chewy texture, these bars will quickly become a holiday favorite!