Save Soft, chewy cookie bars packed with chocolate chips, festive sprinkles, and a hint of holiday spice are perfect for sharing during the Christmas season. These bars make holiday baking easy and fun.
I love making these cookie bars for holiday gatherings because they are always a crowd favorite. The festive sprinkles and chocolate chips really make them irresistible for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/4 cups (280 g)
- Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon (optional, for a holiday twist)
- Unsalted butter: 3/4 cup (170 g), melted and slightly cooled
- Light brown sugar: 1 cup (200 g), packed
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100 g)
- Eggs: 2 large
- Pure vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 1 1/2 cups (270 g)
- Red and green holiday sprinkles: 1/2 cup (75 g)
- Chopped walnuts or pecans: 1/2 cup (60 g), optional
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and combined. Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until fully incorporated.
- Combine Mixtures:
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Add Mix-ins:
- Fold in chocolate chips, sprinkles, and nuts (if using), reserving a few chocolate chips and sprinkles for topping.
- Spread Dough:
- Spread dough evenly in prepared baking pan. Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips and sprinkles on top.
- Bake:
- Bake for 23–27 minutes, or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).
- Cool and Cut:
- Allow to cool completely in pan. Lift out using parchment overhang and cut into bars.
Pin it My family loves to help decorate these bars with extra sprinkles before baking. It is a fun holiday tradition we look forward to every year together.
Required Tools
You will need a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula or wooden spoon, measuring cups and spoons, and parchment paper.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter, chocolate chips), and nuts if used. Check sprinkles and chocolate for possible allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each bar has about 245 calories, 12 g total fat, 32 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Pin it Enjoy these chocolate chip bars with a glass of milk or share them at any Christmas party. They make every holiday moment extra sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I achieve soft, chewy texture in the bars?
Use melted butter and avoid overmixing the dough to retain the bars' tender and chewy consistency.
- → Can I substitute nuts in the bars?
Yes, you can omit nuts for a nut-free option or replace with your favorite chopped nuts for added crunch.
- → What type of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer balanced sweetness, but you can use milk or dark chocolate chips as desired.
- → How should I store these dessert bars?
Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days for optimal freshness.
- → Can festive bars be made ahead of time?
Yes, they can be baked in advance and stored. The flavors meld and the bars remain soft for several days.
- → What's a good holiday twist for the bars?
Mix in ground cinnamon for subtle warmth or drizzle cooled bars with melted white chocolate for extra festivity.