Celebrate the joy of the holidays with these irresistible Christmas cookie bars that bring the festive spirit right into your kitchen. Blending the chewy texture of classic cookies with the convenient bar form, this treat is perfect for sharing at holiday parties or gifting to friends and family wrapped in seasonal paper. The delightful combination of rich butter, sweet chocolate chips, and crunchy nuts creates a harmonious bite that captures the essence of holiday comfort.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking to enjoy a sweet holiday indulgence, these cookie bars are easy to prepare and deliver consistently delicious results. You’ll love the festive sprinkles sprinkled on top, adding a burst of color and charm to make every bite feel special.
- Easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.
- Chewy, buttery texture balances sweet chocolate and crunchy nuts.
- Decorated with festive sprinkles to bring holiday cheer to every bite.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter (1 cup): Softened to room temperature for smooth and creamy mixing with sugars for a rich base.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a light, tender crumb in the cookie bars.
- Brown sugar, packed (1 cup): Brings moisture and a deep caramel flavor for chewy texture and richness.
- Large eggs (2): Bind ingredients together and provide structure and moisture in the batter.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the overall sweetness and adds warm aromatic notes.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): Provides structure and body to the bars, making them sturdy yet tender.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the bars rise slightly, contributing to a light texture.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Reacts with acids to ensure perfect leavening and tenderness.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the deeper flavors of the chocolate and butter.
- Chocolate chips (2 cups): The star mix-in, bringing bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
- Chopped nuts (1 cup, optional): Add crunch and a nutty contrast to the sweet softer texture.
- Festive sprinkles (1/2 cup): Decorative topping that adds colorful holiday spirit and a slight crunch.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
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Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure a consistent, even baking environment. Preheating allows the cookie bars to bake thoroughly and develop a perfect golden crust.
- Prepare the Baking Pan
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Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. This prevents sticking and makes lifting the bars out effortless.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until uniformly combined. This step ensures even leavening and seasoning distribution for uniform texture and flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugars
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In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Creaming aerates the mixture, which contributes to the chewy texture and balance of sweetness.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla
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Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then add vanilla extract. This fully combines the wet ingredients and enhances the flavor profile with vanilla warmth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
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Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Blend just until combined to prevent overworking the flour, which could cause toughness.
- Fold in Mix-Ins
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Gently fold in chocolate chips and optional chopped nuts, ensuring they are evenly spread throughout the batter for consistent bites of flavor and texture.
- Spread Batter Into Pan
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Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. This helps the bars bake uniformly and achieve a neat finished look.
- Bake Until Golden
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Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This confirms the bars are perfectly baked through without dryness.
- Cool and Decorate
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Remove the pan and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then lift the bars out using the parchment overhang. Once cooled, sprinkle festive sprinkles on top for a colorful holiday finish before slicing.
- Cut and Serve
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Slice into 24 squares or rectangles to serve. These bars are perfect for sharing at festive gatherings or enjoying with a warm holiday drink.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and chewy, avoiding a cakey texture.
- Softened butter is essential to allow thorough creaming and smooth batter consistency.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner slicing.
Storage Tips
Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them fresh and chewy. For longer storage, wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a sealed bag for up to three months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Christmas cookie bars alongside hot cocoa, coffee, or festive mulled wine for an indulgent holiday treat. They also make delightful gifts when wrapped in decorative tins or cellophane bags.
- For best texture, measure flour using spoon and level method to avoid dry or dense bars.
- If using nuts, toast them lightly beforehand to deepen flavor and crunch.
- Sprinkle decoration after baking while bars are still slightly warm for better adherence.
FAQs
- Can I use melted butter instead of softened butter?
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Softened butter is preferred for creaming to incorporate air; melted butter will produce denser bars.
- Can I substitute chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
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Yes, you can swap for white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or dried cranberries for a festive twist.
- How do I know when the cookie bars are fully baked?
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The edges should be golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Can I make the batter ahead of time?
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You can refrigerate the prepared batter for up to 24 hours before baking to develop flavors, but allow it to come to room temperature before baking.
- Are these cookie bars suitable for gifting?
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Absolutely! They freeze well and stay fresh, making them perfect for wrapping as thoughtful holiday presents.
Christmas Cookie Bars
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper
- 2 Mixing bowls medium and large
- 1 wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 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
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until fully combined.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips, nuts if using, and any other desired mix-ins evenly.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.
Notes
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature up to one week.
- Freeze tightly wrapped bars in an airtight container for longer storage.
- Substitute mix-ins with white chocolate chips, butterscotch, or coconut flakes for variation.
