Description
Rich chocolate chip cookie bars merge with nostalgic pop tart flavors in this delightful dessert. Crisp edges, gooey center, and strawberry jam swirls create an irresistible treat you’ll want to savor immediately.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups + 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅔ cup strawberry preserves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½–2 tbsps whole milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, creating overhanging edges. Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Creaming: In a stand mixer, blend butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately three minutes. Incorporate eggs and vanilla, mixing thoroughly and scraping sides to ensure uniform consistency.
- Dough Formation: Gradually add flour, salt, and baking soda, mixing until dough forms. Refrigerate for twenty minutes to enhance texture and manageability.
- Layer Assembly: Divide cookie dough into two equal portions. Press first half evenly across parchment-lined pan base. Freeze this layer briefly, then reposition parchment and spread remaining dough. Distribute strawberry preserves across the surface.
- Topping Placement: Carefully position the chilled dough layer over preserves, gently pressing to secure layers.
- Baking: Bake for 25-28 minutes until golden-brown. Cool completely on a wire rack within the pan.
- Finishing Touches: Extract bars using parchment edges. Craft a glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle glaze over bars and garnish with rainbow sprinkles.
- Serving: Allow glaze to set for 1-2 hours at room temperature. Slice into fifteen segments and enjoy the delectable treat.
Notes
- Chill for Perfection: Refrigerating dough enhances texture and prevents excessive spreading during baking, ensuring dense and uniform cookie bars.
- Parchment Paper Hack: Using parchment paper with overhang allows easy removal and clean cutting of bars without damaging their delicate structure.
- Layer Technique Matters: Freezing one dough layer helps maintain distinct layers and prevents mixing of preserves with cookie dough during assembly.
- Glaze Setting Time: Allowing glaze to solidify at room temperature for 1-2 hours creates a smooth, professional-looking finish and prevents dripping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg