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Christmas Bars

Christmas Bars
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Delicious and festive Christmas Bars featuring a buttery crust, fruity fillings, and a crumbly topping infused with warm holiday spices. Perfect for sharing, gifting, and customizable for different dietary needs, these bars combine seasonal flavors with easy preparation to bring holiday cheer to your baking table.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces (or plant-based butter for vegan option)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling and Toppings

  • 1 cup jam or preserves (raspberry or apricot recommended)
  • ½ cup dried fruits (cranberries, cherries, or raisins)
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans; omit for nut-free version)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust and Topping: In a large bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve half of this crumb mixture for the topping and half for the crust.
  2. Press the Crust: Firmly press half of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking pan to create a sturdy base.
  3. Add the Filling: Spread the jam or preserves evenly over the crust layer. Then sprinkle dried fruits and chopped nuts over the jam to add flavor and texture.
  4. Apply the Crumb Topping: Scatter the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the fruit layer and gently press down to help it adhere and form a golden crust when baked.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling bubbles around the edges.
  6. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares or rectangles to ensure clean cuts and bars that hold together well.

Notes

  • Use cold butter for crumbly texture that avoids greasiness.
  • Allow bars to cool fully for the jam layer to set and prevent sogginess.
  • Press the crust firmly and spread layers evenly for best results.
  • Look for a golden top and bubbling edges to confirm the bars are baked through.
  • Use freshly ground spices for stronger holiday aromas.
  • Grease or line the pan well to prevent sticking.
  • Sharp knife and wiping between cuts yields neat bars.
  • For vegan bars, substitute butter with plant-based margarine and use flax eggs if eggs are used in variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas Bars, holiday baking, festive dessert, fruit bars, crumb bars, gluten-free dessert, vegan bars, holiday treats

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