Description
Festive Christmas Cookie Bars bring holiday cheer with layers of sweet nostalgia and rich buttery flavor. Homemade treats create warm memories that invite celebration and joy for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
Chocolate and Candies:
- 1 cup (180g) red and green chocolate candies (like M&Ms)
- ½ cup (90g) white chocolate chips
Leavening and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (40g) holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, vigorously cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 3-4 minutes using medium-speed mixing.
- Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete blending after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Separately combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt by whisking. Gradually integrate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing.
- Gently fold holiday-colored chocolate candies, white chocolate chips, and half of the sprinkles into the dough, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the dough into the prepared pan, pressing and smoothing to create an uniform layer. Scatter remaining holiday sprinkles across the surface for decorative flair.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden-brown edges and a set center. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should emerge clean when the bars are fully baked.
- Remove from oven and allow complete cooling in the pan. Once cooled, slice into 24 consistent squares, ready to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Customize sprinkle colors to match different holiday themes or personal preferences for a unique touch.
- Swap chocolate candies with seasonal M&Ms or crushed candy canes to create variety and keep the festive spirit.
- Reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes for chewier, softer bars or extend by 2-3 minutes for crispier edges.
- Use room temperature eggs and butter to ensure smoother mixing and more consistent texture throughout the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 178
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg