Description

This delightful Christmas Cookie Bars recipe combines classic cookie flavors with festive colors, creating a perfect holiday treat. Soft, buttery cookie bars studded with chocolate chips and festive red and green sprinkles are topped with a creamy vanilla frosting and extra sprinkles, making them as beautiful as they are delicious. Ideal for holiday parties, gift-giving, or a cozy family dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Bars

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
1/2 cup red and green sprinkles

Vanilla Frosting

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp milk (to reach desired consistency)
Extra sprinkles for topping

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Instructions

Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for flavor. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined. Fold in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles gently to distribute them evenly.
Bake the Bars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
Make the Vanilla Frosting: While the bars cool, prepare the frosting by beating together 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk gradually until you reach the desired spreadable consistency.
Frost and Decorate: Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the vanilla frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle additional red and green sprinkles over the frosting to give a festive holiday appearance. Slice into bars to serve and enjoy!

Notes

For chewier bars, do not overbake; start checking at 25 minutes.
You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate or butterscotch chips for variation.
Use room temperature ingredients for easier mixing and better texture.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
If you want a thicker frosting, add less milk; for thinner frosting, add more carefully.