Description
These Festive Spiced Christmas Bars are a delightful holiday treat, combining warm aromatic spices with the richness of brown sugar and butter. Topped with a creamy vanilla frosting, they offer a perfect balance of soft texture and sweet flavor, ideal for sharing during festive gatherings or as a cozy winter dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) – optional
- 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins – optional
For the Creamy Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk (or as needed)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt, ensuring even spice distribution.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.
- Fold in Nuts and Dried Fruit: Gently fold in the chopped nuts and dried cranberries or raisins if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Spread Batter in Pan: Pour the prepared batter into the lined baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
- Cool Bars: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting – Cream Butter: While bars cool, prepare the frosting by beating the softened butter in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Flavorings: Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed to incorporate. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, mixing well to combine.
- Adjust Consistency: Add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Frost Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the creamy frosting evenly over the top using a spatula or knife.
- Serve or Store: Cut the frosted bars into squares and serve immediately, or store them in an airtight container to keep fresh.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts or pecans for the nuts, or omit them if you prefer a nut-free treat.
- For a gluten-free version, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- If desired, customize the dried fruit with raisins, cherries, or even chopped dates for variation.
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
