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Peppermint Cookie Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 44 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 31 minutes
  • Total Time: 46 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Peppermint Cookie Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for the holiday season. Featuring a buttery, crumbly cookie base topped with melted semi-sweet chocolate and crushed peppermint candies, these bars combine rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint flavors in every bite. Easy to prepare and bake, they make a great dessert or snack to share with family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Handful of crushed peppermint candies, holiday M&Ms, and a couple of crushed candy canes

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 13×9 inch metal baking pan with parchment paper. Set it aside to get ready for the dough.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. This ensures even distribution of the salt in the dough.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a separate bowl until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the base for a tender texture.
  4. Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture until fully combined, enriching the dough with flavor and binding it together.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly add the flour and salt mixture in small portions to the wet ingredients, mixing just until it starts coming together and forms a crumbly dough.
  6. Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the crumbly dough into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly and patting it down firmly with your hands or a spatula. Poke holes all over the surface using a fork to allow even baking.
  7. Bake Cookie Base: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-26 minutes or until the cookie base is golden brown around the edges.
  8. Add Chocolate Chips and Melt: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the warm cookie base. Return the pan to the oven for about 1 minute to soften the chocolate chips.
  9. Spread Melted Chocolate and Top: Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate evenly over the cookie layer. Then sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies, holiday M&Ms, and candy canes generously on top.
  10. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely until the chocolate topping sets firm. Once set, cut into desired shapes and serve.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
  • Poking holes in the dough before baking helps prevent bubbles and ensures even cooking.
  • You can substitute crushed peppermint candies with any holiday-themed candy or nuts for variation.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • For a more intense peppermint flavor, you can add a few drops of peppermint extract to the dough.

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Find it online: https://foodpininspo.com/peppermint-cookie-bars-recipe/