Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite holiday treat: Christmas bars! There’s just something so magical about these little squares of joy that captures the festive spirit. I love how they combine the warm flavors of butter, brown sugar, and oats with the tartness of cranberries and the crunch of nuts. Every bite is like a cozy hug on a cold winter day! Plus, they’re super easy to make, which means I can whip up a batch and share them with friends and family at gatherings without spending all day in the kitchen. Trust me, these Christmas bars will have everyone asking for the recipe, and they’ll disappear faster than Santa on Christmas Eve! So, let’s get those ovens preheated and dive into this delightful holiday baking adventure together!
Ingredients for Christmas Bars
- 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How to Prepare Christmas Bars
Alright, let’s get our hands a little messy and make some truly scrumptious Christmas bars! I promise, it’s a breeze. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have these bars ready to devour in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important because starting with a hot oven helps those bars rise and get that lovely golden color.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of packed brown sugar. I love using a hand mixer for this, but a good old whisk works too! You want it to be light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Next, add in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and give it a good mix. The smell will be heavenly!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This is where the magic starts to happen!
- Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. I usually do this in thirds, mixing gently until everything is just combined. We don’t want to overmix here.
- Time to fold in those festive goodies! Gently stir in 1 cup of dried cranberries and 1/2 cup of chopped nuts. You can use walnuts or pecans, whichever you prefer!
- Spread the mixture evenly into a greased baking pan. I like to use a 9×13 inch pan for this. Don’t worry if it looks a bit thick; it’ll spread out while baking!
- Bake in your preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once they’re done, let the bars cool in the pan for a bit before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up nicely, making them easier to cut!
And that’s it! You’re on your way to enjoying some delicious, homemade Christmas bars that’ll make your holiday gatherings extra special!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to prepare: You can whip up these delicious Christmas bars in no time! With just a handful of simple steps, they’re ready to bake and fill your home with holiday cheer.
- Festive flavors: The combination of buttery goodness, sweet brown sugar, tart cranberries, and crunchy nuts makes every bite a celebration of seasonal flavors that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit!
- Easy to store: These bars store beautifully in an airtight container, so you can bake a big batch and keep them fresh for snacking throughout the holidays—or even longer!
- Perfect for sharing: Whether you’re heading to a holiday party or just want to brighten someone’s day, these bars are easy to cut into squares and share with friends, family, or neighbors. Everyone will love you for it!
Tips for Success
Now that we’re on the path to making these delightful Christmas bars, let me share some of my top tips to ensure they turn out perfect every time! Trust me, a little know-how goes a long way in baking.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before creaming it with the sugar. This helps create that light, fluffy texture we want. Cold butter won’t mix well and can lead to dense bars.
- Don’t overmix: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the bars tough instead of tender. We want soft and chewy, not a workout for your jaw!
- Check for doneness: Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on your bars as they bake. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If it’s wet with batter, give them a few more minutes!
- Let them cool: Resist the urge to cut into your bars right out of the oven! Allowing them to cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes helps them set, making it easier to get those perfect squares without crumbling.
- Customize your mix-ins: Feel free to get creative! Swap the cranberries for dried cherries or apricots, or add chocolate chips for an indulgent twist. Just keep the ratios similar so the texture stays right.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making the most scrumptious Christmas bars that everyone will rave about. Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk about the numbers behind these delightful Christmas bars! While indulging in these treats, it’s always nice to know what you’re getting. Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown per bar, but remember, this can vary a bit based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes:
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
Keep in mind that these bars are meant to be a festive treat, so enjoy them in moderation! They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, and with this balance of flavors and nutrients, you can feel good about sharing them with your loved ones. Happy indulging!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Alright, let’s chat about how to keep those delicious Christmas bars fresh and tasty for as long as possible! After all, you want to savor every last crumb of these festive treats, right?
To store your leftover bars, simply place them in an airtight container. I usually layer them with a piece of parchment paper between each row, just to prevent any sticking. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about 3-5 days. If you’re like me and want them to last longer, you can pop them in the fridge, where they’ll be good for about a week. Just remember, they’re best enjoyed at room temperature, so I like to take them out a bit before serving!
Now, if you’ve made a big batch (which I highly recommend!), these bars freeze beautifully! Just wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll be happy in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply take out the number you want and let them thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a couple of hours. No need to reheat, just enjoy them as they are, bursting with holiday goodness!
So go ahead, make a big batch, and don’t worry about leftovers; these Christmas bars are super easy to store, and they keep their deliciousness intact! Happy snacking!
FAQ Section
Let’s tackle some of the most common questions I get about these delightful Christmas bars! I want you to feel totally confident baking and enjoying them, so here are some answers to help you out.
Can I use different dried fruits?
Absolutely! While I love the tartness of cranberries, you can easily swap them for other dried fruits like cherries, apricots, or even raisins. Just keep the same quantity so the texture stays right!
How do I make these bars gluten-free?
Great question! To make these Christmas bars gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. It works like a charm, and you won’t even notice the difference!
What’s the best way to serve them?
These bars are super versatile! You can serve them as is, or add a dusting of powdered sugar on top for a little festive flair. They’re also delicious with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream—perfect for a holiday dessert spread!
Can I make these ahead of time?
You bet! These Christmas bars actually taste even better after a day or two as the flavors meld together. Just bake them, let them cool, and store them in an airtight container. They’ll be ready to go whenever you are!
What if I don’t have a 9×13 inch pan?
No worries! You can use any similar-sized baking pan or even a larger one for thinner bars. Just keep an eye on the baking time, as they might need a little less time if they’re spread out more.
How long will they last?
When stored properly in an airtight container, these bars will last about 3-5 days at room temperature, or up to a week in the fridge. And remember, they freeze beautifully for 2-3 months, so you can enjoy them long after the holidays!
With these FAQs in hand, you’re all set to bake these scrumptious Christmas bars and share them with friends and family! Happy baking!
Drucken
Christmas Bars: 7 Irresistible Treats for Holiday Cheer
- Gesamtzeit: 45 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 bars 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious Christmas bars with festive flavors.
Zutaten
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Anweisungen
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Fold in cranberries and nuts.
- Spread the mixture into a greased baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- These bars freeze well.
- Feel free to substitute with other dried fruits.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 30 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 bar
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 50mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterin: 20mg
Keywords: christmas bars, holiday dessert, festive treats
