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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Creaming: Whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Integrate eggs methodically, ensuring a silky smooth consistency after each addition.
- Flavor Infusion: Pour vanilla extract into the wet mixture, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious base.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold into the wet ingredients, minimizing mixing to maintain a tender texture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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