Jolly Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe: Festive Treats Made Simple

Sweet aromas of vanilla and butter waft through kitchens during holiday baking season, making christmas cookie bars a delightful treat for everyone.

Festive gatherings sparkle with joy when these delectable squares appear on dessert platters.

Soft, chewy, and perfectly balanced, these bars blend traditional flavors with modern baking techniques.

Each bite brings memories of cozy winter evenings and cherished family traditions.

Chocolate chips, nuts, and sprinkles add playful textures that make these bars irresistible.

Bakers of all skill levels can create these simple yet impressive desserts with minimal effort.

Dive into this recipe and spread some delicious holiday cheer!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 23

All The Ingredients In Christmas Cookie Bars

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp texture for the cookie bars.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes and keeps the bars moist and soft.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cookie bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, comforting aroma.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure of the cookie bars.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and develop a light, tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Provides additional lift and ensures even baking.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds rich chocolate pockets throughout the bars.
• White Chocolate Chips: Introduces creamy, sweet contrast to dark chocolate.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Brings color, whimsy, and festive cheer to the dessert.

Tools Needed For Christmas Cookie Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Crucial for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dry ingredients without lumps.
• Spatula: Helps spread dough evenly and scrape bowl edges.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Standard size for making delicious cookie bars.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy removal and clean-up.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Guarantees precise ingredient amounts.

Simple Steps For Christmas Cookie Bars

• Oven Preparation

Warm up your kitchen appliance to a cozy 350 degrees. Prepare a rectangular baking dish with a light coating of grease or parchment paper for smooth removal.

• Creamy Mixture Creation

Blend softened butter with sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like texture. Gently incorporate eggs and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and inviting.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

Whisk flour, rising agents, and a pinch of salt in a separate container. Slowly marry these dry ingredients with your creamy mixture, stirring until just combined.

• Chocolate and Sprinkle Magic

Softly fold chocolate chips and colorful holiday sprinkles into the dough, creating bursts of festive excitement throughout.

• Pan Transformation

Spread the dough evenly across the baking dish, using a spatula to create a smooth landscape. Dust the surface with extra sprinkles for a whimsical touch.

• Baking Celebration

Let the bars bake until edges turn a delicate golden brown and the center looks perfectly set. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes of patient waiting.

• Serving Joy

Once completely cooled, slice into delightful squares. These treats pair wonderfully with warm beverages and create instant holiday cheer.

Tips To Make Christmas Cookie Bars Festive

• Perfect Baking Texture: Let butter soften at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, even mixing without overmixing the dough. This technique prevents tough, dense cookie bars.
• Holiday Flavor Boosters: Swap half the vanilla extract with peppermint extract for a festive winter twist that adds delightful holiday warmth to the bars. Crushed candy canes can also create a delicious seasonal crunch.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend to make these bars accessible for those with wheat sensitivities. Add an extra tablespoon of flour to maintain the perfect tender texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking and soft centers.
• Storage Secrets: Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer preservation, freeze individual bars between parchment paper layers for up to 3 weeks, allowing easy grab-and-go holiday treats.

Serving Suggestions For Christmas Cookie Bars

• Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange the bars on a decorative holiday tray with candy canes, peppermint sticks, and small seasonal ornaments for a stunning presentation that captures Christmas spirit.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Wrap individual bars in clear cellophane with red and green ribbons, creating adorable homemade edible gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday party hosts.
• Cocoa Pairing Delight: Serve warm bars alongside rich hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, creating a cozy winter treat that melts in your mouth and warms the soul.
• Dessert Table Star: Display bars alongside other holiday cookies, creating a beautiful dessert display with varying heights and textures that showcases your baking skills and festive creativity.

Store Christmas Cookie Bars The Easy Way

• Smart Storing Strategy: Keep these delightful cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and softness. Shield them from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Freezing Fantastic Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. These treats can stay frozen for up to 2 months without losing their delicious texture and flavor.
• Refrigeration Recommendation: When storing decorated or frosted bars, always place a layer of parchment paper between each bar to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for extended shelf life, bringing them to room temperature before serving for best taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before baking. This technique allows flavors to develop deeper, creating even more delicious Christmas cookie bars that will impress family and friends.

Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas cookie bars blend rich chocolate chips with peppermint crunch in a delightful holiday treat. Crisp edges and gooey centers make these bars a seasonal favorite you’ll crave all winter long.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups (375 grams / 13.2 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 grams / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 grams / 7.8 oz) brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup (225 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (170 grams / 6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (170 grams / 6 oz) white chocolate chips or chunks
• ½ cup (80 grams / 2.8 oz) red and green holiday sprinkles
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Extra sprinkles, for topping

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C). Prepare a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper for seamless release.
2. Creaming: Whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Integrate eggs methodically, ensuring a silky smooth consistency after each addition.
3. Flavor Infusion: Pour vanilla extract into the wet mixture, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious base.
4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold into the wet ingredients, minimizing mixing to maintain a tender texture.
5. Mix-in Magic: Fold semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and holiday sprinkles throughout the batter, distributing evenly for maximum flavor and visual appeal.
6. Pan Presentation: Spread the dough uniformly in the prepared pan, using a spatula to create an even surface. Sprinkle additional holiday decorations across the top for festive flair.
7. Baking Process: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 22-27 minutes. Watch for golden-brown edges and a slightly firm center as doneness indicators.
8. Cooling and Cutting: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps set the texture and facilitates clean, precise cutting. Once cooled, slice into elegant squares.

Notes

• Softening Butter Perfectly: Achieve room temperature butter by leaving it out 30-45 minutes before baking, ensuring smooth blending and consistent texture.
• Minimize Dough Overworking: Stir dry ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookie bars and maintain a tender crumb.
• Sprinkle Distribution Technique: Gently fold holiday sprinkles into batter and press additional ones on top for even color and festive appearance.
• Cooling Crucial for Clean Cuts: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour, which helps set the structure and enables precise, clean-edged squares.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg