There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars wafting through the house, filling every corner with sweet anticipation. festive candy cane cookies Picture this: a warm, gooey center surrounded by a golden-brown crust, making each bite a delightful experience that dances between chewy and crispy. chewy hot cocoa cookies fun Grinch sugar cookies.
Jump to:
- <strong>Essential Ingredients</strong>
- <strong>Let’s Make it Together</strong>
- <strong>Perfecting the Cooking Process</strong>
- <strong>Add Your Touch</strong>
- <strong>Storing & Reheating</strong>
- <strong>FAQ</strong>
- Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
- How do I know when the cookie bars are done?
- Can I freeze the cookie bars?
- 📖 Recipe Card
These bars are perfect for cozy gatherings or festive celebrations, eliciting laughter and joy as everyone dives into this delicious treat. The first bite reveals layers of flavor that burst in your mouth, leaving you craving just one more piece. For more inspiration, check out this raspberry cheesecake bars recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars are incredibly easy to prepare, making them perfect for busy holiday baking sessions
- Their rich, buttery flavor combined with a soft, chewy texture will have everyone reaching for seconds
- Visually appealing with their colorful toppings, these bars look like festive artwork on a platter
- Versatile enough to customize with your favorite mix-ins, they’re sure to become a holiday staple in your home
A few years back, I whipped up a batch of these cookie bars for my family’s annual holiday get-together. The smiles on their faces as they devoured them were priceless.
Essential Ingredients
For more inspiration, check out this chewy caramel coconut cookies recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- Unsalted Butter: Use softened butter for easy mixing and that rich flavor we all love.
- Granulated Sugar: This is the secret to achieving that lovely sweetness and chewy texture.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth of flavor; always use packed brown sugar for best results.
- Large Eggs: Fresh eggs help bind everything together while adding richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Choose pure vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor profile beautifully.
- All-Purpose Flour: Essential for structure; sift it for lighter bars if you prefer.
- Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and achieve that perfect gooeyness.
- Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips create melty pockets of bliss in every bite.
- Sprinkles (optional): Use colorful sprinkles to bring festive cheer and visual appeal to your bars.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes should do the trick.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract until fully incorporated; you want it smooth like your favorite holiday movie plot twist!
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix!
Add Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles: Fold in chocolate chips (and sprinkles if using) gently; you want them evenly distributed without breaking them apart too much.
Bake Until Golden Brown: Pour the batter into your prepared dish; bake for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown—your kitchen will smell amazing!
Let these Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars cool slightly before cutting into squares. caramel apple cheesecake bars Enjoy them warm or at room temperature!
You Must Know
- These gooey Christmas cookie bars are perfect for holiday gatherings
- Their rich, chewy texture and delightful chocolatey flavor will leave everyone reaching for seconds
- Plus, they make great gifts; just wrap them up in festive paper to spread the cheer
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) before mixing the ingredients. This ensures even baking and prevents soggy bottoms.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap chocolate chips for nuts or dried fruits. You can also experiment with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive twist.
Storing & Reheating
Store these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to regain that gooey goodness.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and a smoother texture
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep your bars chewy rather than tough
- Let them cool fully before cutting for cleaner edges and better presentation
Baking these cookie bars takes me back to family gatherings, where everyone eagerly gathered around the kitchen, waiting with forks in hand for that first gooey bite.
FAQ
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix dark, milk, or white chocolate chips based on your preference.
How do I know when the cookie bars are done?
The edges should be golden brown while the center remains slightly soft and gooey.
Can I freeze the cookie bars?
Yes, you can freeze them! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before freezing.
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
📖 Recipe Card
Print
Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the festive delight of Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars, where a warm, gooey center meets a golden-brown crust. These easy-to-make bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, captivating everyone with their rich buttery flavor and chewy texture. Decorated with colorful sprinkles, they not only taste amazing but also look beautiful on any dessert table. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or at room temperature, and prepare for smiles all around!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup colorful sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs one at a time and then mix in the vanilla extract until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips and sprinkles if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (50g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
