Description of this recipe
Christmas Bar Cookies are a festive and delightful treat, perfect for sharing during the holiday season. These chewy, buttery bars are loaded with chocolate chips, colorful M&M’s, and cheerful Christmas sprinkles, making them a visual and flavorful delight for kids and adults alike. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any Christmas gathering.
Why you will love this recipe
These Christmas Bar Cookies offer the perfect combination of flavors and textures. The buttery base provides a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience, while the chocolate chips and M&M’s add bursts of sweetness and a satisfying crunch. The sprinkles not only enhance the visual appeal but also contribute a playful touch to every bite. These cookies are incredibly easy to make, requiring no special equipment or advanced baking skills. They’re also highly customizable – you can easily adapt the recipe to include your favorite holiday candies or nuts. Best of all, they can be made ahead of time, making them a stress-free addition to your holiday baking list. They’re simple enough to get the kids involved, making them a perfect family activity during the holiday season. The vibrant colors and festive decorations will bring a smile to everyone’s face, making these cookies a true embodiment of the Christmas spirit. Beyond their delicious taste and ease of preparation, these cookies offer a nostalgic connection to the holidays, evoking memories of childhood baking adventures and joyful celebrations. They’re the perfect homemade gift for friends and neighbors or a delightful addition to any holiday cookie exchange. The aroma that fills your kitchen as these cookies bake is a true olfactory Christmas experience. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, you’ll find these Christmas Bar Cookies to be a rewarding and enjoyable recipe.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup red and green M&M’s
- ¼ cup Christmas jimmies
- Christmas sprinkles, for sprinkling over the baked cookie bars if desired
Preparation:
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the oven is at the correct temperature when you place the cookies inside, allowing them to bake evenly. Brush an 8×8-inch square baking pan with a bit of the melted butter. This prevents the cookies from sticking to the pan and makes it easier to remove them after baking. Then, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. The parchment paper overhang acts as handles, making it incredibly easy to lift the baked cookies out of the pan for cooling and cutting.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining melted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Whisking the sugars with the melted butter helps to dissolve the sugars and create a smooth, even base for the cookie dough. This step is crucial for achieving the desired texture of the bars.
Step 3:
Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Make sure the egg is at room temperature to ensure it mixes more evenly with the other ingredients. The egg binds the ingredients together, adding richness and moisture to the cookie bars. The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, adding a warm, aromatic note.
Step 4:
Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the bowl. Mix just until moistened; be careful not to over-mix. Over-mixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mixing until just moistened ensures that the cookies remain tender and chewy.
Step 5:
Fold in ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, ⅓ cup of the red and green M&M’s, and the Christmas jimmies. Folding the mix-ins gently ensures that they are evenly distributed throughout the batter without breaking or melting.
Step 6:
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Ensure the batter is evenly spread to ensure uniform baking. Sprinkle the top with the remaining M&M’s. Press the M&M’s lightly into the batter to prevent them from falling off during baking.
Step 7:
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so it’s important to keep an eye on the cookies and check for doneness.
Step 8:
Set the pan on a wire rack and sprinkle with additional Christmas sprinkles, as desired. Sprinkling the cookies with sprinkles immediately after baking allows them to adhere to the warm surface. Cool completely before cutting.
Step 9:
Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the blondies from the pan and transfer them to a cutting board. This makes it easy to remove the cookies from the pan without damaging them. Cut into squares. Use a sharp knife to cut the cookies into even squares.
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these Christmas Bar Cookies as a festive dessert at holiday parties or gatherings.
- Package them in decorative tins or boxes for a homemade gift.
- Enjoy them with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot cocoa.
- Serve alongside other Christmas cookies and treats for a festive dessert platter.
- Offer them as a sweet treat after a holiday meal.
- Perfect for cookie exchanges or bake sales during the holiday season.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature for best results. This helps them mix more easily and creates a smoother batter.
- Don’t over-mix the batter, as this can result in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
- Feel free to customize the mix-ins with your favorite holiday candies or nuts.
- Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For easier cutting, chill the cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before slicing.
- To prevent the sprinkles from melting during baking, add them after the cookies come out of the oven.
- Use high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Nutritional Information: (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 250
Protein: 3g
Sodium: 100mg
Conclusion
These Christmas Bar Cookies are a delightful and easy-to-make treat that embodies the spirit of the holiday season. With their cheerful colors, delicious flavors, and simple preparation, they are sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re baking for a party, a gift, or just a cozy night in, these cookies are the perfect way to spread some Christmas cheer. Their versatility allows for endless customization, making them a canvas for your holiday baking creativity. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create some magical memories with these irresistible Christmas Bar Cookies! Every bite is a burst of holiday happiness.
5 Questions and Answers about this recipe
Q1: Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with another type of flour?
A: While all-purpose flour is recommended for its consistent results, you can substitute it with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend if you need a gluten-free option. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different. Almond flour or other nut flours are not recommended as a direct substitute without adjusting other ingredients.
Q2: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! These Christmas Bar Cookies can be made 1-2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to a month. Just make sure they are completely cooled before storing or freezing.
Q3: What can I use instead of M&M’s if I don’t have any on hand?
A: You can substitute the M&M’s with other types of chocolate candies, chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or even mini marshmallows. Get creative and use whatever you have on hand that fits the Christmas theme!
Q4: My cookies are browning too quickly in the oven. What should I do?
A: If your cookies are browning too quickly, you can tent the baking pan with aluminum foil. This will help to slow down the browning process while still allowing the cookies to bake through. Also, ensure that your oven temperature is accurate.
Q5: How do I prevent the chocolate chips from melting too much during baking?
A: To prevent the chocolate chips from melting excessively, you can chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This will help the chocolate chips hold their shape better in the oven. Also, using high-quality chocolate chips can make a difference, as they tend to melt less.
