Oh, Christmas time! It always makes me think of cozy nights, twinkling lights, and, of course, incredible desserts. And let me tell you, nothing screams festive comfort quite like these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas. Forget spending hours making fancy layered cakes; this recipe is my absolute go-to for holiday gatherings. It’s like a warm hug in dessert form! I remember the first time I made these – the whole house smelled like pure magic – and my family practically inhaled them. It’s that perfect blend of chewy, chocolatey cookie and gooey, warm hot fudge that just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Seriously, if you want a crowd-pleaser that’s also ridiculously easy, these are it!
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas
Seriously, why wouldn’t you? These bars are a total game-changer for your holiday baking. Here’s why they’ll be your new favorite:
- So Easy! You don’t need to be a master baker. This recipe is super straightforward, meaning less stress and more time enjoying the holidays.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies? And adding that warm, gooey hot fudge? Pure genius! Everyone, from kids to grandparents, will adore them.
- Pure Festive Cheer: The combination of chewy cookies and rich fudge just screams Christmas. They look and taste like a special holiday treat.
- Perfect Make-Ahead: You can bake the bars ahead of time and just warm up the fudge sauce right before serving. So convenient!
Gather Your Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas
Alright, let’s get down to business! To make these incredible Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas, you’ll need a few things. Don’t worry, they’re all pretty standard pantry staples, which is part of why I love them so much! Make sure your butter is nice and soft – that’s key for getting that perfect cookie dough texture. And for the brown sugar, really pack it into the measuring cup so you get the right amount of that lovely caramel flavor.
For the Cookie Bars
You’ll need:
- 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips (dark ones are amazing here!)
- Maybe some chopped nuts if you’re feeling fancy (optional!)
For the Decadent Hot Fudge Sauce
And for that luscious sauce:
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas
Okay, buckle up, because we’re about to make some magic happen! Making these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas is surprisingly simple, and honestly, it’s half the fun. Just follow along, and you’ll have a dessert that tastes like it came from a fancy bakery, but it’s all you!
Preparing the Cookie Dough Base
First things first, get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a good grease and flour. Now, for the dough! In a big bowl, cream together your softened butter, granulated sugar, and that lovely packed brown sugar. You want it to get nice and light and fluffy – this is where the magic starts! Then, beat in your eggs one at a time, making sure they’re fully incorporated, and stir in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, just give your flour, baking soda, and salt a quick whisk together. Now, gradually add those dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until *just* combined – seriously, don’t overmix! A few streaks of flour are totally fine. Gently fold in your chocolate chips and nuts if you’re using them. Spread this glorious dough evenly into your prepared pan. Trust me on this, get it all the way to the edges!
Baking Your Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Pop that pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to get that beautiful golden brown color. It should smell amazing in your kitchen right about now! Keep an eye on it; ovens can be a bit quirky. You want them cooked through but still a little soft in the middle – that’s key for that chewy texture we love.
Crafting the Perfect Hot Fudge Sauce
While those bars are baking, let’s whip up that decadent hot fudge sauce. Grab a small saucepan and melt your butter over medium heat. Once it’s all liquid and lovely, whisk in the cocoa powder until it’s super smooth. No lumps allowed! Remove the pan from the heat (this is important!) and whisk in the powdered sugar and milk. Keep whisking until everything is beautifully combined and smooth. Lastly, stir in that teaspoon of vanilla extract for an extra pop of flavor. It should be thick and glossy!
Assembling Your Christmas Dessert Masterpiece
Okay, the moment of truth! When your cookie bars come out of the oven, still warm and smelling heavenly, immediately pour that luscious hot fudge sauce all over the top. Spread it out evenly so every single bar gets a generous coating. It’s going to look SO good! Let the bars cool down just a bit – maybe 15 to 20 minutes. You want the fudge to set up a little so it’s not completely runny, but you also want it to still be warm and gooey when you cut into it. Once it’s cooled enough to handle, slice them into bars. For the cleanest cuts, you might want to wipe your knife between each slice. These are best served slightly warm, but they’re still delicious at room temperature too!
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas
You know, even simple recipes can be made *extra* special with just a few little tricks. These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas are already a winner, but here are a couple of things I always do to make sure they’re absolutely perfect every single time.
Ingredient Quality Matters
Seriously, don’t skimp on the good stuff here! Using real butter, good quality chocolate chips (I love using a mix of milk and dark!), and fresh vanilla extract really makes a difference. You can taste the quality, and it just elevates your Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas from good to absolutely unforgettable. For more baking tips, check out this guide to ingredient properties.
Achieving the Right Texture
For those perfect chewy bars, make sure not to overmix the dough once you add the flour. A little bit of overmixing can make them tough. And when you bake them, aim for that golden-brown edge but keep the center slightly soft. That slight under-baking in the center is what gives you that wonderful chewy, fudgy texture when the hot fudge goes on top! If you’re curious about the science behind baking, this article on baking science might be interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas
Got questions about these amazing bars? I’ve got you covered! These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas are pretty foolproof, but it’s always good to know a few things.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Oh, absolutely! You can bake the cookie bars a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, just warm up the hot fudge sauce gently and pour it over the bars. Easy peasy!
What are the Best Chocolate Chips to Use?
Honestly, use what you love! I find a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips gives the best flavor for these bars. If you want something a little richer, go for semi-sweet or even dark chocolate chips. They really complement the hot fudge beautifully! For other holiday dessert ideas, you might like these triple chocolate cheesecake bars.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
If, by some miracle, you have any leftovers, just pop them into an airtight container. You can store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. The fudge might firm up a bit, but they’re still delicious! Just give them a quick warm-up if you want that gooey texture back. For more storage tips, consider this guide on food storage.
Nutritional Snapshot of Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas
Just a friendly heads-up! The nutritional information provided for these delightful Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Hot Fudge for Christmas is an estimate. It can vary a bit depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use and how accurately you measure. Happy baking!
Print
5-Star Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars for Christmas
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich chocolate chip cookie bars topped with a warm, gooey hot fudge sauce, perfect for Christmas.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- For Hot Fudge Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using).
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
- While the bars are baking, prepare the hot fudge sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the cookie bars are out of the oven, immediately pour the hot fudge sauce over the warm bars.
- Let cool slightly before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate chips.
- If you don’t have milk, heavy cream or half-and-half can be used for the hot fudge sauce.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chocolate chip cookie bars, hot fudge, Christmas dessert, holiday baking, easy dessert, bar cookies