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Christmas Bars

Christmas Bars
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Delight your festive table with these easy Christmas Bars—quick to make, deliciously sweet, and perfect for holiday celebrations! Featuring layers of buttery crust, gooey fillings, and festive toppings, these bars capture the spirit of the season with classic holiday flavors. Ideal for sharing, customizable for dietary preferences, and fun for all ages, they bring warmth and joy to your holiday baking repertoire.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust & Topping

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted (room temperature recommended)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free)

Filling

  • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional but recommended; can omit for nut-free)
  • 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, cherries, apricots preferred)
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (use dairy-free alternative for vegan option)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan (9×13 inch recommended) with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and flour until the mixture is crumbly. Press half of this crumbly mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust base.
  2. Add the Filling: Evenly sprinkle the chopped nuts, dried fruits, and mini chocolate chips over the crust. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top to bind all the ingredients and create a luscious, gooey layer. Add the vanilla extract as part of the sweetened condensed milk pour or mixed beforehand.
  3. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the filling layer, covering the top as uniformly as possible. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the bars are set.
  4. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles. This step ensures the bars hold their shape and slice cleanly without crumbling.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter to ensure even mixing and a smooth crust texture.
  • Line your baking pan with parchment paper to easily remove bars and keep edges clean.
  • Press the crust firmly to prevent the base from falling apart when cutting.
  • Distribute the nuts, fruit, and chocolate chips evenly for a balanced flavor in every bite.
  • Let the bars cool completely for clean slicing and perfect gooey centers.
  • For nut-free versions, omit nuts and add extra dried fruits or seeds for crunch.
  • To make gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
  • Vegan options: replace butter with coconut oil and use plant-based condensed milk alternatives.
  • Add holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for an extra festive twist.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas Bars, holiday dessert, easy bars, gluten-free bars, festive treats, holiday baking, sweet bars, vegan option

Find it online: https://sophiemelody.com/christmas-bars/