The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the spirit than with some delicious Christmas bars? Whether you're a fan of classic flavors like peppermint and gingerbread or something a little more unique, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll be sharing some mouth-watering Christmas bar recipes that are sure to impress your friends and family.
These bars are perfect for snacking on while you're watching your favorite holiday movies, or as a sweet treat to bring to your next holiday party. Plus, they make great gifts for your loved ones. So, without further ado, let's dive into the recipes.
Why Make Christmas Bars?
Before we get started, let's talk about why Christmas bars are such a great idea. Not only are they delicious, but they're also:
- Easy to make: Most Christmas bar recipes require just a few ingredients and can be made in under an hour.
- Customizable: You can choose from a wide range of flavors and ingredients to create unique bars that fit your style.
- Perfect for sharing: Christmas bars are a great way to share the holiday spirit with your friends and family.
- Make great gifts: Wrap up a batch of Christmas bars and you've got a thoughtful and delicious gift.
10 Delicious Christmas Bar Recipes to Try This Season
Here are 10 delicious Christmas bar recipes to try this season:
- Candy Cane Bars
These classic Christmas bars are a staple of the holiday season. Made with peppermint extract, crushed candy canes, and white chocolate, they're a refreshing twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1 cup crushed candy canes
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler. Stir in peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over baked crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Gingerbread Bars
These spicy and sweet bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with crystallized ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, they're a delicious twist on traditional gingerbread.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons molasses
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt butter and molasses in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in cinnamon and ginger.
- Pour melted butter mixture over baked crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Eggnog Bars
These creamy and sweet bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with eggnog, nutmeg, and cinnamon, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup eggnog
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler. Stir in eggnog, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over baked crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Peppermint Mocha Bars
These refreshing and decadent bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with peppermint extract, coffee, and chocolate, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Stir in coffee and peppermint extract.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over baked crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Cranberry White Chocolate Bars
These sweet and tangy bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with dried cranberries, white chocolate, and orange zest, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler. Stir in dried cranberries and orange zest.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over baked crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Bars
These buttery and decadent bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with shortbread, chocolate, and sea salt, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and confectioners' sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Stir in sea salt.
- Dip cooled shortbread bars into melted chocolate mixture.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Maple Pecan Bars
These nutty and sweet bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with maple syrup, pecans, and brown sugar, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and brown sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in chopped pecans.
- Pour melted butter mixture over baked crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Salted Caramel Bars
These gooey and sweet bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with caramel, sea salt, and chocolate, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and brown sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt caramel sauce and sea salt in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Pour melted caramel mixture over baked crust.
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Pour melted chocolate mixture over caramel layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Peppermint Bark Bars
These refreshing and decadent bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with peppermint extract, chocolate, and crushed candy canes, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Stir in peppermint extract.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over baked crust.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes over top of chocolate layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Gingerbread Men Bars
These spicy and sweet bars are perfect for the holiday season. Made with gingerbread spice, molasses, and white chocolate, they're a delicious twist on traditional Christmas treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons gingerbread spice
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Press dough into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler. Stir in gingerbread spice and molasses.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over baked crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
Gallery of Christmas Bars
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to store Christmas bars?
+Christmas bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Can I customize Christmas bars with different flavors and ingredients?
+Yes, you can customize Christmas bars with different flavors and ingredients. Some ideas include adding nuts, dried fruit, or candy pieces to the dough.
Can I make Christmas bars ahead of time?
+Yes, you can make Christmas bars ahead of time. They can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.