Merry Christmas Cookie Bars: 10 Min Prep

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Christmas cookie bars have been my go-to for holiday baking ever since I was a kid. My mom used to make them every year, and the smell of sweet dough baking filled our whole house with such warmth and excitement. I remember sneaking a warm bite right off the cooling rack, the melty chocolate chips still gooey and delicious. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a little slice of holiday magic. They’re so incredibly easy to whip up, making them the perfect treat even if you’re short on time, like finding a simple beef stew with dumplings recipe on a busy weeknight. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cookie Bars

Incredible Taste: Imagine a soft, buttery cookie base packed with melty chocolate chips. They’re pure holiday bliss!
Super Quick Prep: You can have these doughy delights ready for the oven in about 10 minutes. Perfect for when you need a fast dessert.
Family Friendly Fun: Kids adore helping to mix in the chocolate chips and sprinkles, making them a wonderful activity for the whole family.
Budget-Friendly Baking: Most ingredients are pantry staples, making these a cost-effective way to spread holiday cheer.
Versatile Treat: Just like a hearty beef stew dumplings recipe can be customized, you can easily swap out the chocolate chips for nuts or candy canes.
Festive Appeal: With a simple dusting of powdered sugar or some holiday sprinkles, they look as good as they taste.
A True Comfort Food: These bars deliver that cozy, heartwarming feeling, much like a slow cooker beef stew dumplings dish on a chilly evening.

Ingredients for Christmas Cookie Bars

Gather these simple ingredients to create your festive holiday treats. They’re similar to gathering what you need for a classic beef stew dumplings recipe, focusing on quality and ease.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – Using softened butter is key for achieving that perfect fluffy texture in the dough.
1 cup granulated sugar – This provides sweetness and helps create that signature soft, chewy texture we all love.
2 large eggs – They act as a binder, holding everything together and adding richness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors and adds a warm aroma.
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour – This is the base of our cookie bars, providing structure.
1 teaspoon baking powder – This leavening agent helps the bars rise slightly, keeping them tender.
½ teaspoon salt – Just a pinch balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors, much like salt enhances a savory beef stew.
1 cup mini chocolate chips – These are essential for that delightful burst of chocolate in every bite.
Optional add-ins: Sprinkles, chopped candy canes, holiday-themed M&Ms, or chopped nuts – Feel free to customize these bars to your heart’s content!
For the Topping (Optional): ¼ cup powdered sugar, for dusting – This adds a light, sweet finish.
Holiday sprinkles (optional) – For that extra festive sparkle!

How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. This ensures your bars won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. You’re looking for a pale yellow mixture that’s airy – this is crucial for tender bars, much like creaming butter and sugar for the best beef stew dumplings.
Step 3: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. This step helps emulsify the wet ingredients, creating a smooth base.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here; we want tender bars, not tough ones.
Step 5: Once the dough is mixed, fold in the mini chocolate chips (or any other add-ins you desire). The dough should be thick and slightly sticky. Imagine the anticipation, similar to how a baker waits for their hearty beef stew dumplings to cook.
Step 6: Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking pan, pressing it down gently with a spatula to ensure an even layer. Make sure the corners are filled in so you get that perfect edge-to-edge goodness.
Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. For softer bars, check at 20 minutes and remove once just set. The aroma filling your kitchen should be heavenly!
Step 8: Let the cookie bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period is important for them to set up properly. Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles.
Step 9: Dust the cooled bars with powdered sugar or sprinkle with extra holiday sprinkles for a festive touch, making them as visually appealing as a beautifully presented slow cooker beef stew dumplings dish.

Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Cookie Bars

Elevate your holiday baking with these simple tricks for truly amazing Christmas cookie bars. They’re designed to ensure perfect texture and flavor every time, making your festive treats stand out.

Always use softened, not melted, butter for the dough. This creates the ideal light and fluffy texture, crucial for tender cookie bars.
Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour. Stop as soon as it’s combined to prevent tough cookie bars.
For chewier bars, bake them just until the edges are lightly golden and the center is still slightly soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool.
Consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before pressing it into the pan. This can help prevent the bars from spreading too much.

What’s the secret to perfect Christmas Cookie Bars?

The magic lies in the creaming of the butter and sugar and not overmixing the dough. This ensures a tender, cake-like base, much like how proper technique yields tender beef stew dumplings. For more baking tips, check out this guide on baking basics.

Can I make Christmas Cookie Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it, covered, in the refrigerator. Just press it into the pan and bake when ready.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Christmas Cookie Bars?

Avoid using melted butter, which leads to greasy bars. Also, be mindful not to overbake; slightly underbaked bars finish cooking as they cool, ensuring a soft texture.

Best Ways to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars

These festive bars are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of holiday favorites. They bring a touch of sweetness and cheer to any spread, much like how fluffy beef stew dumplings add a special touch to a hearty meal.

Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream: The contrast of the warm, gooey cookie bar with cold, creamy ice cream is simply divine. It’s a classic dessert pairing that never disappoints.
Pair with a warm mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine: The rich flavors of these beverages complement the sweetness of the bars perfectly. It’s like enjoying a savory beef stew with tender beef stew dumplings on a cold evening – pure comfort.
Offer them as part of a holiday cookie platter: Arrange these bars alongside gingerbread, shortbread, or sugar cookies for a beautiful and diverse holiday treat display. They add a lovely chewy texture to the mix.

Nutrition Facts for Christmas Cookie Bars

These festive bars are a delightful treat, perfect for holiday gatherings. Here’s a look at the estimated nutritional information per serving:

Serving Size: 1 cookie bar
Calories: 200
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 80mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used, especially any optional add-ins you choose.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Cookie Bars

Proper storage ensures your delicious Christmas cookie bars stay fresh and tasty for your holiday guests. Once they’ve completely cooled on a wire rack, it’s time to think about keeping them at their best. You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They maintain their delightful chewy texture and festive flavor, making them a convenient treat to have on hand. If you need to keep them longer, freezing is an excellent option, just like how you might freeze extra beef stew dumplings for later enjoyment. Learn more about cookie bar storage.

For freezing, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. For a warm treat, you can gently reheat them. Place a bar on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 10-15 seconds, or until just warmed through. Alternatively, a few minutes in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) can revive their fresh-baked warmth, offering a taste just like homemade tender beef stew dumplings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Cookie Bars

Can I make Christmas cookie bars without chocolate chips?

Absolutely! If chocolate isn’t your favorite, you can easily swap them out. Try using white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or a mix of holiday-themed M&Ms. You could also add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a lovely crunch, similar to how you might add different herbs to a savory beef stew. Some people even love adding crushed candy canes for an extra festive peppermint kick!

How do I get my Christmas cookie bars to be chewy instead of cakey?

The key to chewy bars is to avoid overbaking them. Watch for the edges to be lightly golden brown, but the center should still look slightly soft and underdone. They will continue to bake and set up as they cool on the pan. Also, using softened butter (not melted) and not overmixing the dough once the flour is added are crucial steps for achieving that perfect chewy texture, much like ensuring your beef stew dumplings are tender and not tough. For more tips on achieving the perfect texture, consider reading about baking techniques.

Can I add sprinkles to the cookie dough itself?

Yes, you can definitely add sprinkles to the dough! If you want the color to stay vibrant and distinct, I recommend using jimmies or nonpareils. They hold their color well during baking. For a more subtle effect, you can fold them in with the chocolate chips. If you want a more intense sprinkle look, save most of them for topping the bars after they’ve cooled slightly, just like you might add a fresh garnish to a hearty beef stew.

What’s the best way to cut Christmas cookie bars cleanly?

For the cleanest cuts, wait until the bars are completely cool. Use a large, sharp knife and wipe the blade clean with a damp cloth between each cut. This prevents the chocolate chips or any add-ins from sticking to the knife and dragging the cookie bar. If the bars are particularly soft, chilling them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cutting can make them firmer and easier to slice neatly, ensuring a beautiful presentation similar to how you’d serve fluffy beef stew dumplings.

Variations of Christmas Cookie Bars You Can Try

These Christmas cookie bars are a fantastic base for all sorts of delicious adaptations! Whether you’re catering to dietary needs, looking for a different cooking method, or craving a new flavor profile, there’s a variation for everyone. Think of it like exploring different styles of beef stew dumplings – each offers a unique twist on a classic.

White Chocolate Cranberry Bars: Swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and add about 3/4 cup of dried cranberries. This combination offers a delightful sweet and tart flavor profile that’s perfect for the holidays.
Gluten-Free Version: Use a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (one that contains xanthan gum) in place of the regular flour. You’ll get a similar texture, making them a wonderful option for those with gluten sensitivities, just as a vegetarian beef stew dumplings recipe caters to different diets.
Lemon Raspberry Bars: For a brighter, fruitier flavor, omit the chocolate chips and add the zest of one lemon and 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries to the dough. These taste amazing and offer a lovely pop of color, reminiscent of festive Irish beef stew dumplings variations.
No-Bake Oatmeal Cookie Bars: If you’re short on oven time, try a no-bake version! Combine softened butter, sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in oats, peanut butter, and any add-ins. Press into a greased pan and chill until firm.