Description
These festive Christmas Cookie Bars combine buttery dough with vibrant red and green chocolate candies, white chocolate chips, and holiday sprinkles, perfect for celebrating the season with a delicious, easy-to-make treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup (180g) red and green chocolate candies (like M&Ms)
- 1/2 cup (90g) white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup (40g) holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates a creamy base, incorporating air for tenderness.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in tough bars.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the red and green chocolate candies, white chocolate chips, and half of the holiday sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Spread Dough in Pan: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan, pressing it into a smooth, flat layer to ensure even baking.
- Add Toppings and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining holiday sprinkles evenly over the top of the dough. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into 24 squares to ensure clean cuts and firm texture.
Notes
- For best results, soften the butter to room temperature to ensure proper creaming with the sugars.
- Make sure not to overmix the dough after adding the flour to keep the bars tender and soft.
- Use parchment paper in the baking pan for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
