Best 5 Nutcracker Bars Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the delightful Nutcracker Bars, a festive treat that combines a buttery shortbread crust, a layer of sweet and tangy raspberry jam, and a topping of crunchy pecan streusel. These delightful bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, bake sales, or as a special treat to enjoy with loved ones. With three different recipes included, you'll find variations using fresh or frozen raspberries, a homemade shortbread crust, and even a gluten-free option. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, making them easy to follow even for novice bakers. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to create these delectable Nutcracker Bars.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

NUTCRACKER SWEETS RECIPE - (5/5)



Nutcracker Sweets Recipe - (5/5) image

Provided by ltrodrigu

Number Of Ingredients 15

For Base:
1/3 cup Butter Flavor Crisco(r)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
For Frosting & Drizzle:
1/4 cup Butter Flavor Crisco(r)
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease 15 x 10-inch baking pan with Butter Flavor Crisco(r). Set aside. *For Base:* Cream Butter Flavor Crisco(r) and peanut butter in large bowl at medium speed of electric mixer. Blend in brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat until creamy Combine flour baking powder and salt in small bowl. Set aside. Combine milk and vanilla in measuring cup. Add dry ingredients and milk alternately to creamed mixture. Mix at low speed of electric mixer. Scrape sides of bowl frequently. Beat until blended. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350F degrees for 18 - 20 minutes. Cool. *For Frosting:* Cream Butter Flavor Crisco(r) and peanut butter in large bowl at medium speed of electric mixer. Add sugar and milk. Beat until fluffy. Spread on cooled cookie base. *For Drizzle:* Melt chocolate pieces on very low heat in small saucepan. Drizzle chocolate from end of spoon back and forth over frosting. Cut into 2-inch squares. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes until chocolate is firm.

NUTCRACKER TART



Nutcracker Tart image

Categories     Dessert     Bake     Christmas     Almond     Cashew     Pecan     Walnut     Winter     Honey     Bon Appétit     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Crust
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening, diced
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, diced
3 tablespoons (about) ice water
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Filling
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup pecan halves
2/3 cup roasted unsalted cashews, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup sliced almonds
Whipped cream
Orange-Cranberry Compote (optional)

Steps:

  • For crust:
  • Mix flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add shortening and butter. Using on/off turns, process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer flour mixture to large bowl. Combine 3 tablespoons ice water and vinegar in small bowl; pour over flour mixture. Stir with fork until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls as needed. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap disk in plastic and chill at least 20 minutes and up to 3 days.
  • Roll out dough disk on lightly floured surface to 13-inch round. Transfer to 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough into tart pan. Trim dough overhang and reserve. Freeze crust 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake crust until golden, about 17 minutes; if crust bubbles, press with back of fork. Cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F.
  • Meanwhile, prepare filling:
  • Mix 1 1/2 cups cream, both sugars and honey in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until mixture bubbles thickly and darkens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in grated orange peel. Let stand 20 minutes. Stir in walnuts, pecans, cashews and almonds. Spoon filling into crust, distributing nuts evenly. Bake tart until filling is bubbling thickly and is deep amber in color, about 22 minutes. Cool completely on rack. Serve with whipped cream and Orange-Cranberry Compote, if desired.

NUTCRACKER



Nutcracker image

Provided by Aaron May

Categories     beverage

Time 10m

Yield 2 1/2 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 ounces overproof rum
6 ounces overproof vodka
6 ounces dry gin
6 ounces elderflower liqueur
6 ounces peach schnapps
16 ounces lemonade
16 ounces fruit punch
16 ounces pineapple or orange juice

Steps:

  • Add the rum, vodka, gin, elderflower liqueur, peach schnapps, lemonade, fruit punch and orange juice to a very large pitcher and stir to combine. Keep chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve or immediately pour into ice-filled rocks glasses.

NUTCRACKER BARS



Nutcracker Bars image

Rich chocolate and peanut butter bars.

Provided by Sharon H

Categories     Bar Cookies

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 14

⅓ cup butter flavored shortening
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup butter flavored shortening
⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
½ cup milk
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease a 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan.
  • To make base, cream 1/3 cup butter flavored shortening and 1/2 cup peanut butter in large bowl at medium speed in an electric mixer. Blend in brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time until creamy.
  • Combine all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine 1/4 cup milk and 1 tsp. vanilla in measuring cup. Add dry ingredients and milk alternately to creamed mixture. Mix at low speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl frequently and beat until blended.
  • Spread batter into prepared pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool.
  • For Frosting: Cream 1/4 cup butter flavored shortening and 2/3 cup peanut butter in large bowl at medium speed of electric mixer. Add 4 cups of confectioners' sugar and 1/2 cup milk. Beat until fluffy. Spread on cooled cookie base. For drizzle melt chocolate pieces on very low heat in small saucepan. Drizzle chocolate from end of spoon back and forth over frosting. Cut into 2 inch squares. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes until chocolate is firm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.5 calories, Carbohydrate 30.3 g, Cholesterol 10.8 mg, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 100 mg, Sugar 24.9 g

CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER TART



Chocolate Nutcracker Tart image

Nuts and chocolate filling add a special touch to this luscious tart- perfect for dessert.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h10m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups salted mixed nuts
1 bag (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
1 cup whipping (heavy) cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Mix 1 cup flour and the salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
  • Gather pastry into a ball. Shape pastry into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Roll pastry into 12-inch round with floured rolling pin. Roll pastry loosely around rolling pin and transfer to ungreased 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Unroll pastry and ease into pan, pressing firmly against bottom. Trim overhanging edge of pastry even with top of tart pan.
  • Beat brown sugar, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons flour and the eggs in medium bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Pour into pastry-lined tart pan.
  • Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until set. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
  • Beat all whipped cream ingredients in chilled small bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spoon whipped cream around edge of tart.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 435, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 4, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 270 mg

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the taste of your Nutcracker Bars. Use real butter, pure vanilla extract, and high-quality chocolate chips.
  • Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will make the bars tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Chill the dough before baking: This will help the bars hold their shape in the oven.
  • Bake the bars until they are just set: Overbaking will make them dry. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting them: This will help prevent them from crumbling.
  • Enjoy! Nutcracker Bars are a delicious and festive holiday treat.

Conclusion:

Nutcracker Bars are a classic Christmas cookie that is always a hit. They are easy to make and can be made ahead of time. These bars are the perfect combination of chewy, gooey, and chocolatey. They are sure to be a favorite of your family and friends.

Related Topics