Festive Strawberry Lime Jelly Cookie Bars
Bring a burst of holiday cheer to your dessert table with these Festive Strawberry Lime Jelly Cookie Bars! A delightful twist on the classic Jell-O pretzel salad, this treat layers a sweet and creamy cream cheese mixture over a buttery sugar cookie crust. Infused with both strawberry and lime flavors, and generously studded with vibrant candy sprinkles, these bars are not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these colorful cookie bars are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike, adding a refreshing touch to your festive celebrations.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
prepared sugar cookie dough
1 (16 ounce) package (ready to use)
holiday red and green jimmies candy sprinkles
2 tablespoons (for mixing into cookie dough and additional for serving)
flour
2 tablespoons (for mixing into cookie dough)
cream cheese
12 ounces (softened to room temperature)
granulated sugar
1/4 cup (for mixing into cream cheese layer)
milk
2 tablespoons (for mixing into cream cheese layer)
thawed frozen whipped topping
1 1/2 cups (for mixing into cream cheese layer and topping)
strawberry flavor Jello gelatin
1 (3 ounce) package (for layering)
lime flavor Jello gelatin
1 (3 ounce) package (for layering)
boiling water
2 cups, divided (for dissolving Jell-O)
cold water
1 1/2 cups, divided (for mixing into Jell-O)
fresh strawberries
2 cups (diced for mixing into Jell-O)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared sugar cookie dough with the holiday red and green jimmies and flour. Mix until well incorporated.
3
Spread the cookie dough mixture evenly into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan, pressing down firmly to create a uniform layer.
4
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Allow the crust to cool completely in the pan.
5
In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and milk until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until well combined, then spread this layer over the cooled sugar cookie crust. Chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the Jell-O layers.
6
In a separate large bowl, dissolve the strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. In another bowl, do the same with the lime Jell-O. Once dissolved, add 3/4 cup of cold water to each bowl and mix well. Place both bowls in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes to set slightly.
7
Once the lime Jell-O has thickened just a bit, pour it over the cream cheese layer in the baking dish, spreading it evenly. Chill in the refrigerator for an additional 15 minutes.
8
Mix the diced fresh strawberries into the strawberry Jell-O, then pour this mixture over the lime layer, spreading it out evenly. Chill until the entire dessert is firm, about 1 to 2 hours.
9
Cut the finished dessert into bars and serve with a dollop of additional whipped topping and a sprinkle of festive jimmies on top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Strawberry Lime Jelly Cookie Bars?
They are a holiday-themed dessert featuring a sugar cookie crust, a cream cheese layer, and layered strawberry and lime Jell-O.
What oven temperature is required for the cookie crust?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for baking the crust.
What size baking pan should be used?
The recipe calls for a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.
What type of cookie dough is used for the base?
The recipe uses one 16-ounce package of prepared sugar cookie dough.
How do you prepare the cookie dough for baking?
Mix the cookie dough with holiday red and green jimmies and two tablespoons of flour before pressing it into the pan.
How long should the cookie crust bake?
Bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Does the crust need to cool before adding the next layer?
Yes, allow the crust to cool completely in the pan before spreading the cream cheese layer.
What ingredients are in the cream cheese layer?
This layer consists of 12 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 1/2 cups of thawed whipped topping.
How do you mix the cream cheese filling?
Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and milk until smooth, then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping.
Should the cream cheese layer be chilled?
Yes, chill the cream cheese layer in the refrigerator while you prepare the Jell-O layers.
How many packages of Jell-O are needed?
You will need one 3-ounce package of strawberry flavor Jell-O and one 3-ounce package of lime flavor Jell-O.
How do you dissolve the Jell-O powder?
Dissolve each flavor separately in 1 cup of boiling water.
How much cold water is added to the Jell-O?
Add 3/4 cup of cold water to each Jell-O mixture after the powder has dissolved in boiling water.
How long should the Jell-O chill before layering?
Place both Jell-O bowls in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes to set slightly before layering.
Which Jell-O layer is added first?
The lime flavor Jell-O is poured over the cream cheese layer first.
How long does the lime layer need to chill before adding the strawberry layer?
Chill the lime layer for an additional 15 minutes before adding the strawberry mixture.
How are the fresh strawberries used?
Diced fresh strawberries are mixed into the strawberry Jell-O before it is poured over the lime layer.
How many strawberries are required?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of diced fresh strawberries.
What is the total chilling time for the completed dessert?
Chill the entire dessert for 1 to 2 hours until it is completely firm.
How should the dessert be served?
Cut into bars and serve with a dollop of additional whipped topping and festive sprinkles.
What makes these bars festive for the holidays?
The use of red and green Jell-O layers combined with holiday red and green candy sprinkles creates a festive look.
Can I use frozen whipped topping?
Yes, but ensure it is thawed before mixing it into the cream cheese layer.
Is flour necessary in the cookie dough?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of flour are used to help stabilize the prepared cookie dough.
How much milk is used in the recipe?
Two tablespoons of milk are mixed into the cream cheese filling.
What are jimmies?
Jimmies are a type of small, rod-shaped candy sprinkle used for decorating.
How much boiling water is used in total?
A total of 2 cups of boiling water is used, divided between the two Jell-O flavors.
How much cold water is used in total?
A total of 1 1/2 cups of cold water is used, divided between the two Jell-O flavors.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
These bars are a delightful twist on the classic Jell-O pretzel salad.
How much sugar is added to the filling?
One quarter cup of granulated sugar is added to the cream cheese mixture.
Are these bars suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, prepared in a 9x13-inch pan, they are perfect for holiday celebrations and serve many guests.