Christmas Gumdrop Bars

Christmas Gumdrop Bars Recipe - Wholesome Spiced Bars for Holiday Parties

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Servings: 12

Introduction

Christmas Gumdrop Bars are a delightful and colorful treat that is perfect for the holiday season. These bars are filled with chewy gumdrops and crunchy walnuts, making them a festive and delicious dessert for any Christmas gathering.

History

The recipe for Christmas Gumdrop Bars has been passed down through generations as a beloved holiday treat. Originally created as a way to use up leftover gumdrops from holiday baking, these bars have become a staple in many households during the Christmas season.

Ingredients

1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
0.5 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
0.13 tsp ground nutmeg
0.13 tsp ground mace
0.33 cup soft vegetable shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
0.25 cup evaporated milk
1 cup gumdrops (no licorice)
0.5 cup chopped black walnuts
confectioner's sugar

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
Lightly grease a 9 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
Sift the flour with baking powder, salt, and spices. Set it aside.
Place the shortening, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla into a large bowl.
Use an electric mixer set at medium speed to beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy.
Add half of the flour mixture and the evaporated milk, then beat until the mixture becomes smooth.
Stir in the remaining flour mixture until it is well combined.
Add the gumdrops and coarsely chopped walnuts (or pecans), mixing them well.
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool partially.
Cut the bars while they are still warm.
Sprinkle them lightly with sifted confectioner's sugar.

Variations

Substitute the gumdrops with dried cranberries or raisins for a different flavor profile.
Add a sprinkle of shredded coconut on top of the bars for a tropical twist.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to chop the gumdrops and walnuts into small pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the bars.

- For a more festive touch, use red and green gumdrops to add a pop of color to the bars.

- Allow the bars to cool partially before cutting them to prevent them from crumbling.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Christmas Gumdrop Bars with a cup of hot cocoa or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious holiday dessert.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure a well-combined batter.

- Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into even squares for a neat presentation.

Ingredient Substitutions

Replace the vegetable shortening with butter for a richer flavor.

- Use any type of nuts in place of walnuts, such as almonds or pecans.

Make Ahead Tips

Christmas Gumdrop Bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the bars on a festive platter and dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Christmas Gumdrop Bars with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy holiday treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store Christmas Gumdrop Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To reheat, place the bars in the microwave for a few seconds until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Christmas Gumdrop Bars contains approximately 200 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Christmas Gumdrop Bars contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Christmas Gumdrop Bars contains approximately 8 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Christmas Gumdrop Bars contains approximately 2 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Christmas Gumdrop Bars are not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.

Alergens

Christmas Gumdrop Bars may contain nuts and eggs.

Summary

Christmas Gumdrop Bars are a sweet and indulgent treat that is best enjoyed in moderation due to their high sugar content.

Summary

Christmas Gumdrop Bars are a fun and festive dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. With their chewy gumdrops and crunchy walnuts, these bars are sure to be a hit at any Christmas gathering. Enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat that will delight your taste buds.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was drawn to it like a magnet. It was a cold winter day, just a few weeks before Christmas, and I was flipping through an old cookbook that had been passed down to me from my own grandmother. As I turned the pages, my eyes landed on a recipe for Christmas Gumdrop Bars. The picture that accompanied the recipe showed a pan of colourful, chewy bars that looked like they would melt in your mouth. I knew right away that I had to try making them.

I read through the recipe, taking note of the ingredients and instructions. It seemed fairly simple, calling for flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and of course, gumdrops. I was excited to give it a try, but I had never made anything like it before. I decided to enlist the help of my own grandmother, who was a master in the kitchen and had a knack for making the most delicious treats.

I called her up and asked if she would be willing to show me how to make the gumdrop bars. She was delighted at the idea and invited me over to her cozy kitchen the following day. When I arrived, she had all the ingredients laid out on the counter, along with a big bag of multicoloured gumdrops. She explained that the key to making the bars was to chop the gumdrops into small pieces so that they would be evenly distributed throughout the batter.

We got to work, creaming together the butter and sugar until it was light and fluffy. Then we added in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing everything together until it was well combined. Next, we folded in the flour and chopped gumdrops, being careful not to overmix the batter. Once everything was evenly incorporated, we spread it into a greased baking pan and popped it into the oven.

As the bars baked, the kitchen filled with the sweet aroma of vanilla and sugar. My grandmother and I chatted and laughed, enjoying each other's company as we waited for the bars to be done. When they finally emerged from the oven, golden brown and fragrant, we couldn't wait to try them.

I cut the bars into squares and we each took a bite. The texture was perfect, soft and chewy with little bursts of flavour from the gumdrops. My grandmother smiled and declared them a success. She told me that she had first learned to make gumdrop bars from her own grandmother, who had passed down the recipe through generations. It was a cherished family tradition that brought back memories of Christmases past.

From that day on, Christmas Gumdrop Bars became a staple in my holiday baking repertoire. I made them every year, sharing them with friends and family who all raved about how delicious they were. The recipe had a special place in my heart, not just because of its delightful taste, but because of the memories it brought back of spending time in the kitchen with my grandmother.

Years passed, and my own grandchildren grew up watching me make the gumdrop bars every Christmas. They would eagerly help me chop the gumdrops and mix the batter, just as I had done with my grandmother all those years ago. It was a tradition that had been passed down through the generations, connecting us to our past and to each other.

As I sit here now, flipping through the old cookbook that started it all, I can't help but smile. The recipe for Christmas Gumdrop Bars may have come from a book, but the memories and traditions that it has created are truly priceless. I am grateful for the time I spent in the kitchen with my grandmother, learning how to make this delicious treat. And I hope that one day, my own grandchildren will look back on these moments with the same fondness and love that I do.