1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons alcohol-free vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides so you can easily lift the bars out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper with a small amount of butter or cooking spray to ensure nothing sticks.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer. Continue mixing for about two to three minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step is crucial for creating the right texture in your Christmas Cookie Bars.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Stir in the alcohol-free vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure every bit of the butter mixture is included in the batter.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture while mixing on a low speed. Be careful not to overmix the dough, stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of white flour.
Using a sturdy spatula, gently fold in one cup of the red and green chocolate candies and the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Save the remaining half cup of candies to press into the top of the dough for a beautiful presentation.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan using the back of a spoon or your clean fingers. Press the remaining candies into the surface. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden brown and the center is set. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and slicing into squares.
