Absolutely! Here’s a big, rich, and heartfelt cookie bar recipe with everything you asked for — introduction, ingredients, methods, history, formation (structure), conclusion, and even a little romantic flourish at the end. This is the kind of recipe you share in a family cookbook or a beloved food blog.
Grandma’s Golden Holiday Cookie Bars
🍪 Introduction
Every family has that one treat that disappears the fastest from the dessert table — these Golden Holiday Cookie Bars are that dessert. I baked over 100 dozen cookies last holiday season, and these bars were hands-down everyone’s favorite. Chewy, buttery, rich, and with a nostalgic charm, they hit the perfect balance between cookie and candy. Best of all, they freeze beautifully — just thaw for 10 minutes and they’re good to go!
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a love letter to tradition, gatherings, and the warm scent of brown sugar in the air. Let’s dig in.
🍯 History
These cookie bars originated as a variation of 1950s-era “blondies,” enhanced with holiday charm. Over the years, many bakers (especially Midwestern grandmothers!) added nuts, chocolate chips, and toffee to suit the season. What started as a humble pantry dessert evolved into the gold standard of cookie trays.
My grandmother passed this recipe down to my mom, who added her own twist. I’ve adjusted it just slightly, but the heart remains the same.
🧈 Ingredients
Yields: About 48 large bars (can be cut smaller)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes + cooling
🔸 Wet Ingredients:
- 1 lb (2 cups) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
🔸 Dry Ingredients:
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
🔸 Mix-Ins:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup toffee bits (like Heath)
- ½ cup shredded coconut (optional for texture)
🧁 Instructions
🥄 Step-by-Step Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12×18″ jelly roll pan or two 9×13″ pans, or line with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with the brown and granulated sugar until fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until incorporated.
- Fold in all mix-ins: chocolate chips, toffee, nuts, coconut (if using).
- Spread the dough evenly into prepared pans — use a spatula or damp fingers to press flat.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
🔧 Formation Tips
- For clean cuts, chill bars for 30 minutes before slicing.
- Want taller bars? Bake in one 9×13″ pan and increase bake time to ~35–40 minutes.
- For extra festive flair, top with crushed peppermint or drizzle with melted white chocolate.
❄️ Storage & Freezing
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freeze layers of bars between parchment in a sealed container or bag. Will last up to 2 months. Thaw for 10 minutes at room temp before serving.
💕 Lovers of These Bars Say…
Grandpa Joe says: “Tastes like Christmas and my youth in every bite.”
My best friend Talia: “These are better than any cookie I’ve ever had.”
My partner? He hid the last dozen in the freezer behind the peas. 😏
My toddler? Sticky fingers, chocolate-smudged cheeks, and zero regrets.
✨ Conclusion
There’s something magical about a recipe that brings generations together. These bars are simple enough to make with kids, decadent enough for fancy platters, and comforting enough for quiet moments with a warm drink.
Food is love, and these cookie bars are edible love letters. Whether you’re baking for 100 dozen or just enough to share with someone special, these will never let you down.
Want me to turn this into a printable recipe card, a shareable blog post format, or even a narrated video script? Just say the word!