Description
Festive Christmas Cookie Bars bring holiday cheer with layers of sweet, buttery goodness and festive sprinkles. Crumbly, rich textures and classic seasonal flavors promise pure delight for holiday gatherings, delivering warmth you can savor in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (255 grams) holiday M&Ms or red and green candy-coated chocolates
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional for extra flavor)
Additional/Optional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) white chocolate chips (optional, for drizzle)
Instructions
- Grease a rectangular baking pan and line with parchment paper, ensuring edges are fully covered for easy removal.
- Preheat the oven to the specified temperature, creating an ideal baking environment for the festive treats.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring a smooth and lump-free dry mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whip butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until completely integrated and creating a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
- Transfer the prepared dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan for optimal setting.
- Optional: Melt white chocolate and drizzle decoratively across the cooled bars for an extra festive touch.
- Once fully cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into even squares or rectangles.
- Serve and enjoy these delightful Christmas cookie bars with family and friends.
Notes
- Swap white chocolate for dark or milk chocolate to suit different taste preferences.
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smoother creaming and better texture.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting of cookie bars.
- Chill the dough briefly before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain a thick, chewy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg