Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic cookies, combining a soft, chewy texture with festive sprinkles and rich chocolate chips. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat throughout the season, they’re easy to make and sure to please any crowd.

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) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Step 4: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined; avoid overmixing.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts if using, ensuring even distribution.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly, smoothing the top.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle the festive sprinkles on top for a holiday touch.
9. Step 9: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Step 10: Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack.
11. Step 11: Cut into bars and serve. Enjoy your festive cookie bars!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or a handful of dried cranberries to the batter.
• You can substitute the chocolate chips with white chocolate or butterscotch chips for a different twist.
• If you prefer nut-free treats, simply omit the nuts or replace them with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
• Using parchment paper with overhang ensures easy removal of the entire batch for clean, neat cuts.

Storage

Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze wrapped bars in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a soft, fresh-baked feel.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste.

How can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that can be used cup-for-cup. Make sure the baking blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture.

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 82 reviews

These festive Christmas Cookie Bars are a delightful holiday treat, combining a buttery, tender base with rich chocolate chips and optional nuts. Perfectly spiced with vanilla and baked to golden perfection, these bars are easy to make and ideal for sharing during the holiday season.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookie bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base 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

Add-Ins

• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Decoration

• 1/2 cup festive sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking your cookie bars.
2. Prepare the Baking Pan: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides. This helps in removing the bars easily once baked.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
4. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
6. Add the Mix-Ins: Fold in the chocolate chips and optional chopped nuts evenly throughout the batter to ensure every bite is flavorful.
7. Spread the Batter in the Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula for uniform thickness.
8. Bake the Cookie Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool the Cookie Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. Then use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Cut and Serve: Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles. Optionally, decorate with festive sprinkles on top before cutting. Serve and enjoy these delicious holiday cookie bars!

Notes

• For extra festive appeal, sprinkle the bars with colorful holiday sprinkles immediately after baking while still warm.
• Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
• You can substitute nuts with dried cranberries or white chocolate chips for different holiday flavors.
• Allow bars to cool completely for clean and easy cutting.

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