Santa's Trash Cookie Bars
Delicious and festive cookie bars combining sweet and salty snacks, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch Helps to achieve the right texture
- 1 teaspoon baking soda Leavening agent
- 1 teaspoon salt Enhances flavors
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Ensure it's softened for better mixing
- ¾ cup granulated sugar Can be replaced with honey or maple syrup
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed Adds moisture and flavor
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For flavor enhancement
- 2 large eggs Should be at room temperature
Mix-Ins
- ¾ cup potato chips, crushed Adds a surprising crunch
- ¾ cup pretzels, crushed For salty flavor
- ¾ cup chocolate chips Use your favorite variety
- ¾ cup Christmas M&Ms Adds color and sweetness
- 2 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles For a festive touch
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all the ingredients and ensure that your butter is softened.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9-inch x 13-inch cake pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs
- Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing for about 10 seconds after each addition.
Combine Mixtures
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Gently fold in the crushed potato chips, pretzels, chocolate chips, M&Ms, and most of the sprinkles.
Bake
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
- Top with additional M&Ms, chocolate chips, crushed chips, pretzels, and remaining sprinkles.
- Bake for about 22 to 25 minutes, until golden-brown edges and a slightly soft center.
- Allow to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing into squares.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Freezing is also an option for longer storage.