Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
There’s something magical about the holiday season, and these Christmas Cookie Bars capture that festive magic in every buttery, colorful bite. Imagine a soft, chewy cookie loaded with creamy white chocolate chips, bursts of red and green M&M’s, and a generous sprinkle of holiday cheer—these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Whether you’re making treats for a cookie swap, gifting a homemade dessert, or just craving something special to go with a mug of hot cocoa, Christmas Cookie Bars are the ultimate easy-to-make holiday dessert that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Christmas Cookie Bars is just how simple yet essential each ingredient is, working together to create a festive treat bursting with flavor and color. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why each one matters.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): This gives the bars their rich, tender texture—make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Provides sweetness and helps the bars brown perfectly.
- Packed Brown Sugar (1/2 cup): Adds a hint of molasses flavor and creates that irresistibly chewy bite.
- Large Eggs (2): These bind everything together and keep the bars moist.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, cozy note.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 1/4 cups): The backbone of the dough, ensuring sturdy, sliceable bars.
- Baking Soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the bars rise just enough for a soft, thick texture.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
- White Chocolate Chips (1 cup): For creamy, sweet pockets in every bar—don’t skip these!
- Red and Green M&M’s (1/2 cup): Brings a pop of color and classic chocolate crunch to the mix.
- Holiday Sprinkles (1/4 cup): The finishing touch that instantly makes these bars festive and fun.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or give it a light greasing—this will make lifting out the baked bars a breeze and keep the cleanup easy.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This step is key to creating that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes Christmas Cookie Bars so addictively good.
Step 3: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract. This ensures the dough is smooth and the vanilla flavor is evenly distributed throughout.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening and salt evenly, so every bite of your Christmas Cookie Bars is perfectly balanced.
Step 5: Bring the Dough Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Take care not to overmix; you want a soft dough that will bake up tender and chewy.
Step 6: Fold in the Festive Mix-Ins
Gently fold in the white chocolate chips, red and green M&M’s, and holiday sprinkles. The dough should look speckled and colorful—like a holiday party in a bowl!
Step 7: Spread and Smooth
Transfer the dough to your prepared baking dish and use a spatula (or clean hands) to spread it evenly and smooth the top. This ensures even baking and pretty, uniform bars.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you like, sprinkle a few extra M&M’s and sprinkles on top as soon as they come out of the oven for extra holiday flair.
Step 9: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment (if you used it). Once cool, slice into 24 squares and marvel at your festive handiwork!
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars
Garnishes
To make your Christmas Cookie Bars look extra special, scatter a few more red and green M&M’s or a pinch of sprinkles on top while the bars are still warm from the oven. For a frosty touch, dust lightly with powdered sugar just before serving. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the cooled bars can make them look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet treats with mugs of hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or a steaming cup of coffee. For a holiday dessert platter, serve alongside fresh fruit like sliced oranges or strawberries—something tart balances the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the bars in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon for a homemade gift, or arrange them on a holiday-themed platter for your dessert table. Try cutting them into fun shapes with cookie cutters, or layer them with parchment in a pretty tin to bring to a party. However you present them, Christmas Cookie Bars are guaranteed to bring smiles!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Christmas Cookie Bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
If you prefer your Christmas Cookie Bars warm, you can pop a square in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This brings back that just-baked gooeyness—especially dreamy if you’re serving them with ice cream.
FAQs
Can I use different kinds of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a twist, or even try a blend for extra chocolatey bars.
What if I don’t have M&M’s?
No worries! You can substitute with chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries for a different festive touch. Just make sure to keep those pops of color for a true holiday feel.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, simply use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The bars will still bake up soft and chewy—just be sure all your other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
How do I keep the bars from sticking to the pan?
Lining the pan with parchment paper is the secret! Not only does it prevent sticking, but it also makes it easy to lift out the entire batch for neat slicing.
Are Christmas Cookie Bars suitable for gifting?
Definitely! These bars hold their shape well and look adorable packaged in festive bags or tins—perfect for sharing the holiday spirit with friends, neighbors, or coworkers.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, these Christmas Cookie Bars are your new holiday go-to. They’re festive, easy, and absolutely delicious—so gather your ingredients, turn up the holiday tunes, and bake a batch to share (or enjoy all to yourself). The magic of the season is just a bite away!
Print
Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive and delicious holiday treat, combining soft buttery dough with white chocolate chips, colorful red and green M&M’s, and holiday sprinkles. Perfect for adding a sweet and cheerful touch to your holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green M&M’s
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract to add flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which could make the bars tough.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips, red and green M&M’s, and holiday sprinkles to evenly distribute the festive elements throughout the dough.
- Spread and Bake: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish to set properly before slicing into 24 bars for serving.
Notes
- For extra holiday flair, top the bars with additional M&M’s and sprinkles immediately after baking while still warm.
- These cookie bars can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
