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Christmas Cookie Bars

Christmas Cookie Bars
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These Christmas Cookie Bars are a quick and festive holiday treat combining the warm, nostalgic flavors of classic holiday cookies in one simple, shareable bar. With a tender yet chewy texture and customizable toppings like chocolate chips or crushed peppermint, these bars are perfect for family gatherings, secret Santa parties, or cozy nights by the fire.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Festive Toppings (choose your favorite)

  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
  • ¼ cup colorful sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving a tender texture with just the right chew.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined. This forms the base of your dough and builds wonderful depth of flavor.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, folding gently until the batter just comes together to keep the bars light and chewy.
  5. Add Your Toppings: Fold in or sprinkle over your favorite toppings such as festive sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed peppermint candies to get the Christmas spirit into every bite.
  6. Bake and Cool: Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden around the edges and set in the center. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

  • Use softened butter and eggs at room temperature to help the batter blend smoothly for a tender texture.
  • Stir until just combined to prevent dense bars and keep them light and chewy.
  • Use a spatula to spread batter evenly in the pan for uniform baking and consistent bar sizes.
  • Test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; a few moist crumbs indicate perfectly baked bars.
  • Press toppings gently on top for pretty presentation and maximum flavor with each bite.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookie bars, holiday dessert bars, festive treats, chewy cookie bars, holiday baking, Christmas cookies

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/christmas-cookie-bars/