Delicious Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Delightful festive bars that are easy to whip up and perfect for sharing during the holiday season!
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup(113g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups(400g) packed brown sugar
- 2large eggs
- 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
- ½ teaspoonsalt
- 1 teaspoonbaking powder
- 2 cups(248g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cupChristmas M&Ms or your favorite color
- ½ cupChristmas sprinkles (use jimmies for best results)
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). As the oven heats up, take your 9×13-inch metal baking pan and line it with aluminum foil. Make sure to leave some overhang on the sides so you can lift out the cookie bars easily once they’re baked. Don’t forget to spray the foil with a good layer of cooking spray. This is crucial to prevent them from sticking!
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar. Using your stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together these ingredients until they form a crumbly mixture. This step is essential as it incorporates air into the butter, which helps to create a light and fluffy texture in your cookie bars.
- Next, add the two large eggs one at a time, followed by the teaspoon of vanilla extract. Continue mixing until you achieve a smooth and creamy batter. The eggs will help bind the ingredients together and add moisture to your cookie bars.
- Now it’s time to add the dry ingredients. Gradually mix in the salt and baking powder, ensuring they’re evenly distributed. Then, add the all-purpose flour and mix until just combined. It’s important not to over-mix at this stage, as it could make the cookie bars tough. Gently fold in the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles for a festive touch!
- The mixture will be quite wet, so the best way to get it evenly distributed in the pan is by spraying your hands with cooking spray and using them to press down the dough gently. Make sure to smooth the surface evenly. For an extra splash of color, sprinkle some more M&Ms and sprinkles over the top of the dough.
- Place your baking pan in the oven and bake for about 22-25 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as the goal is to allow them to turn a lovely golden color but not to over-bake. It’s better to err on the side of under-baked; they will continue to set as they cool down outside of the oven.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Carefully lift the bars out using the foil overhang, then let them cool completely on a wire rack before slicing them into squares. This allows for clean cuts and a nice presentation.
Notes
For the best flavor, use room temperature butter and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition
- Calories: 200 kcal per bar
- Protein: 2 g