Christmas Cookie Bars
These festive Christmas Cookie Bars are packed with holiday cheer! Loaded with gooey caramel, melty chocolate chips, colorful M&Ms, and festive sprinkles, these soft and chewy bars are the perfect treat for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- ¾ cup 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 yolk for extra richness
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour add up to ¼ cup more if dough is too runny
Mix-Ins (Total 2 Cups):
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup red & green M&Ms
- ½ cup chewy caramels chopped (e.g., Kraft or Werther’s Soft)
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease or line a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Prepare the Caramels
- Chop each caramel into smaller pieces (e.g., Kraft caramels can be cut into 8 pieces each).
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 20–30 seconds, just until melted. Let it cool slightly if it’s very hot.
- Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the melted butter. Stir until fully combined.
- Mix in the egg, extra yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients
- Stir in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the flour, mixing until fully incorporated. If the dough feels too soft, let it sit for 5 minutes to firm up or add an extra ¼ cup of flour.
Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins
- Stir in the chocolate chips, M&Ms, caramel pieces, and sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top.
- For a decorative touch, press a few extra mix-ins on top.
- Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Avoid overbaking for softer, chewier bars.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, slice into squares:
- 12 large pieces
- 24 medium squares
- 48 bite-sized treats