A tray of delectable Christmas bars is the perfect way to welcome the arrival of the holiday season. You’ll find that these quickly become a mainstay in your repertoire of holiday baking, I promise.
Imagine this: your home is filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods on a freezing winter’s day. Your family is gathered in the kitchen, excited to sample the delicious delights you’re preparing, and the suspense grows. These Christmas bars are the ideal complement to your festive gatherings, making everyone happy (and perhaps sparking some intense arguments over the final square).
Let’s not deceive ourselves, though; although the holidays are a time for happiness and family, they may also bring stress and mayhem. Have you ever had Aunt Margie criticize every meal you prepared? Or Uncle Bob, who can’t stop telling his yearly tale of his “epic” BBQ disaster? Yes, we have all experienced that. These Christmas bars are my secret weapon because of this. These are really easy to prepare, incredibly tasty, and after just one bite, even Aunt Margie will be speechless.
First, assemble your ingredients: eggs, baking powder, flour, sugar, butter (a lot, since who are we kidding?), and any festive spices of your choice. If you’re feeling especially feisty, consider adding a pinch of cloves along with some nutmeg and cinnamon. To be clear, I don’t play around when it comes to baking for the holidays.
Make sure your kitchen is ready before you get your hands dirty and embrace your inner Julia Child. I promise you, while your butter is burning, you do not want to be digging through your drawers for that illusive spatula. I know from experience that it’s not enjoyable.
It’s time to get started as soon as your materials are arranged with military precision. In one bowl, combine the dry ingredients; in another, combine the wet ingredients. Dry meets wet only when everyone is ready, according to a traditional baking rule. Blend them until they are evenly distributed. Here, overmixing is the enemy. It’s fluff we want, not bricks.
Transfer your blend onto a tray that has already been buttered, unless you wish to spend Christmas prying bars from the pan. After distributing everything evenly, place it in the oven. Your home will now begin to smell like a dream. I get really excited about this at this point, just before I realize I still have things to wrap and a dog to wash.
Take a time to relax as your bars bake to a golden perfection. Or, to be honest, to panic a little and hastily review your holiday must-do list. However, the anticipation of these bars’ deliciousness will lift your spirits.
When they’re finally finished, let them cool—that is, if you can resist the need to taste them right away. I suggest drizzling some icing or sprinkling them with powdered sugar. It gives them the finishing touch and makes them appear almost too beautiful to eat. Nearly.
Cut them into squares and serve after they have cooled. These bars resemble tiny morsels of festive cheer. And just give Aunt Margie another slice if she raises an eyebrow. A Christmas miracle, surely?
Here they are, my favorite Christmas bars that will definitely make your home seem merry. They’re simple, quick, and could be the one thing that keeps everyone content—at least temporarily. There’s always the festive eggnog to fall back on if everything else fails.
Happy baking, and never let the commotion in the kitchen rob you of the joy of the holidays. Get your bars for Christmas!
