Homemade Christmas Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe

If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that captures the magic of the season with every bite, then this Homemade Christmas Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe is your new best friend. Imagine a rich, buttery base bursting with melty chocolate chips, boasting a perfectly gooey center that’s pure holiday happiness. These bars are not just cookies; they’re a celebration in bar form—easy to make, delightful to share, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, holiday parties, or just because the season calls for it, this recipe will become a beloved staple on your dessert table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is the first step to achieving that dreamy, soft texture and unbeatable flavor in these cookie bars. Each component plays a vital role, from the smooth richness of butter to the sweet burst of chocolate chips, ensuring every bite is pure joy.

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives structure to your gooey bars without being dry.
• 1 tsp baking soda: Helps the bars rise just enough to stay tender and soft.
• ½ tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted: Offers moistness and a rich, buttery depth you can taste.
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Brings warmth and softness with its molasses undertones.
• ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds a classic sweetness with a gentle crunch.
• 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add to the tender texture.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract: Lifts the flavor with its sweet, fragrant aroma.
• 2 cups chocolate chips: The stars of the show – pockets of luscious melted chocolate in every bite.

How to Make Homemade Christmas Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This steady temperature ensures a perfect bake where the edges crisp just right while the center stays decadently gooey. Grease your 9×13 inch pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup – this simple step guarantees your bars slide out perfectly every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step makes sure your leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed, giving the cookie bars an even crumb and balanced flavor. Set this bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Combine Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, blend the melted unsalted butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is smooth and combined. The melted butter gives the cookie bars a fantastic chewiness and rich taste, while the sugars bring sweetness and moisture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them, then stir in the vanilla extract. This step creates a smooth batter and infuses it with that classic vanilla warmth that makes these bars feel like holiday comfort on a plate.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid over-mixing here – you want everything incorporated but still a tender texture, not tough or dense bars.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Finally, fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter. This ensures every bar has melty, gooey streaks of chocolate that are pure delight with each bite.

Step 7: Bake to Gooey Perfection

Spread your dough evenly into the prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown but the center remains soft and set. This balance is key to achieving that signature gooey consistency that’s the heart of this recipe.

Step 8: Cool Before Cutting

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. Patience here rewards you with clean squares and maintains that luscious gooey texture in the center, preventing messier, crumbled pieces.

How to Serve Homemade Christmas Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or add a drizzle of melted white chocolate on top to dress up your bars. For an extra holiday touch, crushed candy canes or red and green sprinkles create a festive sparkle that looks stunning and tastes incredible.

Side Dishes

These cookie bars pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee for a cozy winter treat. Serve alongside vanilla or peppermint ice cream to take the indulgence up a notch for your dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the bars into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a holiday-themed platter for easy sharing at parties. Or wrap individual bars in festive cellophane with a ribbon for charming edible gifts that friends and family will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cookie bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay wonderfully soft and gooey for up to 4 days—perfect for enjoying multiple holiday mornings or snacks.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked warmth, reheat your bars in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or warm them gently in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. This way, you get to experience that irresistible gooey chocolate chip goodness all over again.

FAQs

Can I substitute the chocolate chips for another mix-in?

Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips for white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or even chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.

How do I know when the cookie bars are done baking?

The edges should be golden brown, and the center should look set but still soft. A toothpick inserted will come out with a few moist crumbs but not raw dough.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon to avoid an overly salty flavor. Unsalted butter is preferred for better control of seasoning.

Is it necessary to let the bars cool completely before cutting?

Yes, letting them cool helps the bars set properly, making clean cuts easier and preserving that gooey texture in the middle.

What’s the best way to make these extra gooey?

Using melted butter and avoiding overbaking are the secrets. Bake just until the center is set but still soft to keep the gooey magic alive.

Final Thoughts

Whipping up this Homemade Christmas Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe is like wrapping yourself in a warm holiday hug. It’s simple, festive, and yields a crowd-pleaser that everyone will rave about. So grab your ingredients, bake a batch, and share the joy with those you love—these bars truly make any Christmas sweeter and cozier.

Print