Christmas Cookie Recipe:
Jewel Bars

This is an easy Christmas cookie recipe that family and friends will love.

It is a bar cookie recipe.

The chopped gum drops create a stained glass effect that looks festive and yummy.

Gum drops are just about my favorite candy, so I love these cookies.

The kids are sure to love them!

Although these bar cookies look great on a plate with other holiday cookies, they really are an any time treat.

This is a simple bar cookie recipe that has the added nutrition of whole wheat flour, but feel free to substitute white flour if you prefer.

Mix and bake exactly the same way, but the white flour may not need sifting.

Jewel Bar Cookies

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour, sifted (use white if you prefer)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup gum drops, chopped (not black)
1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Grease a 9"x9"x2" baking pan very well and set it aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Beat in sugar and vanilla.

Sift together the whole wheat flour and salt. Mix in the gumdrops and chopped nuts. Add egg/vanilla mixture to flour mixture and blend well.

Spoon mixture into prepared baking pan. Spread the mixture evenly to all sides.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (do not over bake). The top will slightly crack, but the inside will still be moist when done. Cut into squares while warm. Cool. Remove from pan when the cookies have cooled.

Variation:

• Replace the gum drops with chopped red and green glace cherries for another festive look.

Makes about 16 cookies.