Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips and optional nuts, these bars bring all the classic flavors of a holiday cookie in an easy-to-cut bar form.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup festive sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
2. Step 2: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Step 5: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and mix until fully incorporated.
6. Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined—avoid overmixing.
7. Step 7: Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
8. Step 8: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
9. Step 9: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Step 10: Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack.
11. Step 11: Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles, decorate with festive sprinkles, and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
• Substitute nuts with dried cranberries or white chocolate chips for a different twist.
• Use holiday-themed sprinkles to make the bars look festive and colorful.
• Be careful not to overbake to keep the bars moist and chewy.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm them briefly in the microwave or oven to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid making the bars too salty.

Can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, and ensure the other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 107 reviews

Deliciously soft and chewy Christmas Cookie Bars packed with chocolate chips, optional nuts, and festive sprinkles, perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet treat anytime.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix-Ins and Decoration

• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup festive sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for your cookie bars.
2. Prepare the Baking Pan: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
4. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Then, mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to ensure tender bars.
6. Add the Mix-Ins: Fold in your choice of chocolate chips, chopped nuts (if using), making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Spread the Batter in the Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly into the corners and smoothing the top.
8. Bake the Cookie Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool the Cookie Bars: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Cut and Serve: Once cooled, cut the cookie bars into squares or rectangles as desired. Decorate with festive sprinkles on top if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts.
• Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bars soft and tender.
• Use parchment paper for easy removal of the cookie bars from the pan.
• Letting the bars cool completely helps in clean cutting and better texture.
• Sprinkles are optional but add a festive touch perfect for holiday celebrations.

Keywords: Christmas cookie bars, holiday cookies, chocolate chip bars, festive dessert, easy cookie bars