Magical Peppermint Gooey Bars Recipe for Festive Treats

Delectable peppermint gooey bars promise a wintertime treat that melts right through dessert expectations.

Chocolate chips and crushed candy canes create magical moments in every single bite.

Sweet layers of decadence combine into something truly spectacular.

Cold evenings call for warm, indulgent snacks that comfort and surprise you.

Creamy textures mingle with rich chocolate undertones, delivering pure satisfaction.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum enjoyment awaits your kitchen adventures.

These bars will become your new favorite holiday sensation that everyone craves.

Make them and watch pure delight spread across hungry faces.

Peppermint Gooey Bars Full of Cool Sweetness

• This peppermint gooey bar recipe is a game-changer for festive baking.
• Minimal prep time and just a few simple ingredients make this dessert incredibly quick to assemble, perfect for busy holiday schedules.
• These bars deliver an irresistible blend of sweet white chocolate, buttery cake mix base, and refreshing peppermint that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Simple enough for beginner bakers yet impressive enough for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats – this recipe checks all the boxes for delightful seasonal indulgence.

What to Add When Making Peppermint Gooey Bars

• Cake Mix: Provides a quick and easy foundation for the dessert bars with a soft, tender texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the base together, enhancing the overall flavor.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent, providing structure and moisture to the base.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, classic flavor that complements the peppermint.
• Peppermint Extract: Delivers a cool, refreshing mint flavor to the bars.

• White Chocolate Chips: Creates creamy pockets of sweetness throughout the bars.
• Candy Canes: Adds a festive crunch and intense peppermint flavor, best when finely crushed.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides a rich, gooey texture and extra sweetness to the bars.

• Extra Crushed Candy Canes: Optional topping for additional peppermint crunch and decorative flair, perfect for holiday presentation.

Baking Directions for Peppermint Gooey Bars

Step 1: Wake Up the Oven

Turn the oven to 350°F.

Grab a 9×9-inch pan and line it with parchment paper or give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Create the Magic Base

• Cake mix
• Butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Peppermint extract

Mix everything in a large bowl until the mixture looks smooth and dreamy.

Press about two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the pan, creating a solid foundation.

Step 3: Layer the Delicious Filling

• White chocolate chips
• Crushed candy canes

Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top, letting it spread its creamy goodness.

Step 4: Top and Bake

Crumble the remaining dough over the top – don’t worry if it doesn’t completely cover everything.

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn golden and the center looks perfectly gooey.

Step 5: Cool and Celebrate

Let the bars rest for at least an hour.

Slice into delectable squares.

For extra festive flair, shower with additional crushed candy canes.

Tips for Gooey, Minty, Delicious Layers

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for cake mix, butter, and condensed milk to ensure the perfect bar texture and consistency.
• Crumble Carefully: When topping the bars, create rustic, uneven crumbles for a more appealing and homemade look that adds visual interest.
• Chill for Clean Cuts: Refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes after cooling to make slicing cleaner and prevent the gooey filling from spreading too much.
• Control Peppermint Intensity: Adjust peppermint extract to taste – start with less and add gradually to avoid overwhelming the sweet base flavor.
• Prevent Burning: Watch bars closely during baking, as the sweetened condensed milk can quickly caramelize and potentially burn around the edges.

Store Peppermint Gooey Bars Like a Pro

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delightful texture.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term enjoyment.
• Warm refrigerated bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy these bars slightly warm or at room temperature to experience their gooey, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Great Pairings for Peppermint Gooey Bars

• Blend rich hot chocolate with a splash of peppermint schnapps to complement the bar's minty sweetness, creating a warming winter beverage that echoes the dessert's flavor profile.
• Scoop creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the gooey bars, letting the cold, smooth texture contrast with the warm, chewy dessert while enhancing the peppermint's coolness.
• Select a chilled moscato or prosecco with light sweetness to cut through the rich condensed milk and provide a bubbly, elegant counterpoint to the dessert's intense flavors.
• Craft a smooth espresso drink topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes, mirroring the bar's peppermint notes and offering a decadent coffee companion.

Ways to Change Up Peppermint Gooey Bars

• Gluten-Free Peppermint Bars: Replace cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or almond flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Version: Swap butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free white chocolate chips, and replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk.
• Low-Sugar Minty Treat: Substitute regular cake mix with sugar-free cake mix and use sugar-free white chocolate chips to reduce overall sweetness.
• Dairy-Free Holiday Bars: Use margarine instead of butter, select dairy-free white chocolate chips, and choose a dairy-free condensed milk alternative like coconut-based version.

FAQs for Making Peppermint Gooey Bars

• What ingredients give these bars their peppermint flavor?

The peppermint extract and crushed candy canes are the key ingredients that provide the signature peppermint taste and holiday-inspired flavor to these gooey bars.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes, you can substitute the cake mix with vanilla or white cake mix, but using a white cake mix will provide the best base for the peppermint flavors and keep the bars looking light and festive.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a center that is set but still slightly gooey. The bars will continue to set as they cool, so don’t overbake them to maintain that signature soft, gooey texture.

• Are these bars good for holiday gatherings?

Absolutely! These Peppermint Gooey Bars are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and Christmas gatherings. They’re easy to make and offer a delightful blend of sweet and minty flavors that everyone will love.

Peppermint Gooey Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent peppermint gooey bars offer winter’s most delightful dessert escape from ordinary sweets. Creamy chocolate and cool mint layers create a festive treat that melts in your mouth and warms your holiday spirit.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) white or vanilla cake mix
• 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup (180 grams) white chocolate chips

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 grams / ½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Topping Ingredients:

• ½ cup (60 grams) crushed candy canes

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Instructions

1. Prepare the kitchen workspace by positioning the oven rack in the center and heating to 350°F, ensuring a precise temperature for consistent baking results.
2. Create a non-stick surface inside a 9×9-inch baking pan by carefully lining it with parchment paper or applying a light butter coating to prevent sticking.
3. Combine the cake mix, melted butter, egg, vanilla essence, and peppermint extract in a spacious mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture transforms into a cohesive, smooth dough.
4. Distribute approximately two-thirds of the prepared dough evenly across the pan’s bottom, using gentle fingertip pressure to create a uniform base layer.
5. Artfully scatter white chocolate chips and finely pulverized candy cane fragments across the initial dough layer, creating a delightful textural landscape.
6. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk uniformly over the chip and candy cane surface, allowing it to seep between the delicate ingredients.
7. Delicately crumble the remaining dough across the top, embracing an intentionally incomplete coverage that will create an appealing rustic appearance.
8. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a center that maintains a seductive, gooey consistency.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely for one hour, enabling the layers to set and flavors to harmonize.
10. Optional: Enhance the festive presentation by sprinkling additional crushed candy cane pieces across the surface before serving.

Notes

• Boost Moisture by using room temperature ingredients, ensuring a smooth, well-blended base that creates a tender, soft texture in the bars.
• Customize Flavor Intensity by adjusting peppermint extract; start with half the recommended amount and taste, gradually increasing to prevent overwhelming mintiness.
• Control Gooeyness through precise baking time; remove bars when edges are golden but center remains slightly jiggly, as they’ll continue setting while cooling.
• Make Gluten-Free by substituting cake mix with a gluten-free alternative and ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 149
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 16 mg