Description
These festive Christmas Cookie Bars combine the classic flavors of chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles in a soft, chewy bar that’s perfect for holiday celebrations. Easy to prepare and bake, these bars are a delightful treat to share with family and friends during the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking pan to prevent the bars from sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, which provides the base for the cookie bars.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated, adding moisture and flavor.
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make the bars tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and festive sprinkles to distribute them evenly through the dough.
- Spread in Pan: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top for even baking.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 servings to ensure clean cuts and proper texture.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bars tender.
- Use festive sprinkles to add a colorful, holiday-themed touch to the bars.
- Store the cookie bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
- For variation, substitute chocolate chips with white chocolate or butterscotch chips.
