Santa’s Cookie Bars – Get ready for a festive treat that will bring joy to your taste buds and add a dash of Christmas magic to your baking adventures! Santa’s Cookie Bars are a delightful blend of chewy oats, rich peanut butter, and bursts of chocolatey goodness from mini chocolate chips and Christmas mix peanut butter M&M’s. These bars are the perfect balance of sweet and satisfying, making them an absolute must-try for the holiday season. Join me on a journey to create these heavenly bars that will make your home smell like a Christmas wonderland!
Every year, as the holiday season approaches, my husband and I eagerly anticipate the arrival of Santa’s Cookie Bars in our household. It all started as a little experiment in the kitchen, and soon these bars became a cherished tradition that we couldn’t imagine Christmas without. The first time my husband took a bite, his eyes lit up with delight, and he declared them the best holiday treat ever. Since then, they have become a staple in our home, bringing us closer together as we bond over the joy of baking and savoring these delectable bars. The recipe holds a special place in our hearts, and we’re thrilled to share it with you!
Why This Recipe Rocks: Unveiling the Magic of Santa’s Cookie Bars
- Heavenly Combination: The blend of creamy peanut butter, old-fashioned oats, and a hint of vanilla creates a heavenly flavor profile that will have you reaching for seconds (and thirds!).
- Chocolatey Surprises: With mini chocolate chips and Christmas mix peanut butter M&M’s nestled within the dough, every bite is a delightful explosion of chocolatey goodness.
- Festive Touch: Topped with Christmas sprinkles and optional additional chocolate chips and M&M’s, these bars are visually stunning and bring an extra touch of holiday cheer to any gathering.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, even beginner bakers can whip up a batch of these delicious bars to impress their loved ones.
- Versatile Delights: Whether you’re sharing them at a holiday party, gifting them to friends, or simply enjoying them at home, Santa’s Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (180g)
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (90g)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter (113g)
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (80g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (100g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup Christmas mix peanut butter M&M’s
- 3 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars later.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. Set aside.
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until fluffy and light in color (around 2 minutes).
Add in the vanilla extract, egg, and egg yolk. Blend together, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until combined. Then, add the mini chocolate chips and Christmas mix peanut butter M&M’s, and gently blend until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle Christmas sprinkles on top and gently press them into the dough. You can also reserve some chocolate chips and M&M’s to create a beautiful presentation by pressing them on top of the dough before baking.
Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. The bars will still appear slightly underdone in the middle, but don’t worry, as they will continue to set as they cool.
Allow the bars to cool in the baking pan for 20-30 minutes to achieve the perfect chewy texture. Then, cut them into squares, and get ready to indulge in the irresistible flavors of Santa’s Cookie Bars!
Notes:
- Experiment with different add-ins to customize the bars to your liking. You can try using white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries for a festive twist.
- To make these bars gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend of your choice.
- Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage and thawed before serving.
As we wrap up this journey through the magical world of Santa’s Cookie Bars, I hope you feel inspired to recreate this delightful recipe in your own kitchen. These bars hold the power to bring joy, create lasting memories, and fill your home with the aroma of holiday cheer. With their irresistible combination of chewy oats, creamy peanut butter, and bursts of chocolatey goodness, they are sure to become a beloved treat for you and your loved ones.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let the enchantment of Santa’s Cookie Bars take over. Whether you’re baking them for a festive gathering, sharing them with friends, or simply enjoying them with your little family, these bars are the embodiment of the holiday spirit.
Remember, the joy of baking goes beyond the end result. It’s about the laughter in the kitchen, the delicious scents that fill the air, and the love and care you pour into every step. Embrace the magic of the season and create cherished memories as you indulge in the delectable flavors of Santa’s Cookie Bars.
May your home be filled with warmth, love, and the delightful aroma of freshly baked treats this holiday season. Happy baking, and may Santa’s Cookie Bars bring you joy, laughter, and a taste of Christmas magic.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer some texture in your bars. It will add a delightful crunch to each bite.
Can I substitute the Christmas mix peanut butter M&M’s?
Absolutely! Feel free to use regular peanut butter M&M’s or any other type of M&M’s you have on hand. The choice is yours to create your own unique flavor combination.
Can I freeze the cookie bars?
Yes, you can freeze Santa’s Cookie Bars for up to 2 months. Ensure they are stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Thaw them at room temperature before enjoying their deliciousness.
Santa's Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 180g
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats 90g
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup 1 stick softened butter (113g)
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter 80g
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar 100g
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar 100g
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup Christmas mix peanut butter M&M's
- 3 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars later.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until fluffy and light in color (around 2 minutes).
- Add in the vanilla extract, egg, and egg yolk. Blend together, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until combined. Then, add the mini chocolate chips and Christmas mix peanut butter M&M's, and gently blend until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle Christmas sprinkles on top and gently press them into the dough. You can also reserve some chocolate chips and M&M's to create a beautiful presentation by pressing them on top of the dough before baking.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. The bars will still appear slightly underdone in the middle, but don't worry, as they will continue to set as they cool.
- Allow the bars to cool in the baking pan for 20-30 minutes to achieve the perfect chewy texture. Then, cut them into squares, and get ready to indulge in the irresistible flavors of Santa's Cookie Bars!
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