There’s nothing quite like the rich, festive joy packed into a batch of these bars. The Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe layers gooey chocolate, coconut, and colorful holiday candies in a way that turns simple brownies into a magical treat you’ll want to share (or maybe keep all to yourself!).

The image shows a stack of three thick, square-shaped brownies on a white marbled surface. Each brownie has two layers: the bottom layer is a dark brown, smooth and dense chocolate base, while the top layer is lighter with a mixture of red, green, and white candy pieces scattered evenly, adding a rough texture and colorful look. There are extra green and red candy pieces spread around the base of the stack. The top layer looks slightly melted around the candies, with a mix of colors blending subtly in places. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This isn’t just your typical brownie recipe — it’s like a fun holiday party happening in every bite! I keep coming back to this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe because it’s easy to make yet delivers layers of texture, flavor, and festive colors that wow every time.

Layered Goodness: The multiple layers — from fudgy brownie to creamy coconut to melty chocolate chips — make each bite exciting and irresistible.
Festive and Fun: Holiday M&Ms and sprinkles bring out the Christmas spirit beautifully, making these perfect for parties, gifts, or festive dessert tables.
Simple With a Twist: It looks impressive but doesn’t require any fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, so you’ll feel like a pro.
Customizable: You can easily swap nuts or candy to suit your taste or dietary needs, so everyone can enjoy them.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe lies in how the ingredients combine layers of chocolate, sweetness, and crunch. Each item plays an essential role in texture and flavor, and I always recommend grabbing the best-quality chocolate you can find — it makes a noticeable difference!

Flat lay of a small mound of shiny semi-sweet chocolate chips, a stick of salted butter with a smooth surface, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, two large brown eggs with clean shells, one additional large egg yolk in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a small pile of whole mixed nuts including walnuts and pecans, a small white bowl containing bright mini holiday M&M candies in red, green, and white, a separate small white bowl with regular sized holiday M&Ms in festive colors, a small white bowl of shiny semi-sweet chocolate chips, a neat pile of sweetened flaked coconut, a small white bowl filled with glossy sweetened condensed milk, and a small white bowl with colorful holiday sprinkles — all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: I use both melted for the base and some sprinkled on top for gooey pockets of chocolate.
Salted butter: Adds richness and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Granulated sugar: Sweet, but not overpowering — helps create that slight crunchy top crust on the brownie base.
Eggs & egg yolk: These give structure but keep the brownie dense and moist.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to hold everything together without drying the brownies out.
Vanilla: Enhances all the chocolate and coconut flavors.
Nuts (optional): I love pecans or walnuts here; they add great texture contrast.
Mini and regular holiday M&Ms: The festive colors make these bars pop, plus they add a fun sweetness and crunch.
Sweetened flaked coconut: This brings chewy, tropical notes that make these bars unique and oh-so-good.
Sweetened condensed milk: Poured over the layers to give a decadent, caramel-esque richness and bind the toppings beautifully.
Holiday sprinkles: Because, why not? The finishing touch for that extra Christmas sparkle.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it a bit here and there to suit the occasion or what I have on hand. You can truly make it your own without compromising the festive charm.

Nut-Free Variation: Once, I made these nut-free for a party and swapped nuts for extra coconut and M&Ms — just as delicious and kid-friendly!
Chocolate Lovers’ Upgrade: I sometimes add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top after baking for an ultra-rich finish.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: You can substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose mix and keep everything else the same.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

The image shows a grid of square dessert bars laid close together on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two clear layers: a dark brown, dense base that looks soft and moist, and a thick white layer on top that is covered with bright red and green round candies, small chocolate pieces, and red, green, and white sprinkles that add a festive look. The top layer is colorful and textured, with the candies scattered unevenly but filling each square well. Some of the candies are broken or partially embedded, adding more texture to the surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Getting the Chocolate Base Just Right

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9-inch pan with foil or parchment, then spritzing with some nonstick spray. I like using the microwave to melt the butter and chocolate chips together—keep it in short 30-second bursts, stirring in between. This avoids burning and results in a silky smooth chocolate base that’s the foundation of everything delicious.

Step 2: Mixing and Baking the Brownie Layer

Next, beat in your sugar, eggs, and vanilla until silky and combined. Stir in the flour gently—be careful not to overmix to keep the brownies nicely tender. Pour that batter into your pan and bake for about 20 minutes. The brownies will still jiggle slightly but will be set on top. Trust me, this is key for the perfect texture after the topping goes on.

Step 3: Creating the Festive Layers

When the brownie base is out of the oven, it’s time for the fun part. I sprinkle on nuts first (if using), then half the chocolate chips and half the M&Ms. Spread all the shredded coconut evenly on top, then drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over everything. Use the back of a spoon to gently distribute it — this helps moisten the layers without washing the colors away.

Step 4: Final Touches and Baking Again

Top off with the remaining chocolate chips, M&Ms, and festive sprinkles. Pop the whole pan back into the oven for an additional 25 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is just starting to brown. If you notice the top getting too dark too soon, loosely tent it with foil to prevent burning.

Step 5: Cooling and Cutting

Patience is key here. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares — it helps the layers set so they don’t fall apart. I use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for the prettiest slices. That way, every bar looks just as magical as it tastes!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few nuggets that really make this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe shine without adding stress to your baking process. Let me share the tricks that helped me get this recipe just right every time.

Melting Chocolate Safely: Use short microwave intervals and stir often to avoid scorching the chocolate mixture, ensuring a smooth, glossy base.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir flour in gently to keep your brownie layer tender, not tough.
Even Spread of Condensed Milk: Pour slowly and spread carefully over the coconut to keep the layers balanced and prevent puddling.
Use a Sharp Knife for Cutting: This keeps the bars neat and prevents the toppings from pulling away in clumps.

How to Serve Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

Christmas Brownie Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple since the bars already burst with color, but I love a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra sprinkles if it’s a kids’ party. This adds an elegant touch without overshadowing all the festive M&Ms and coconut layers.

Side Dishes

These bars are pretty rich, so serving them alongside a cup of hot cocoa or a scoop of vanilla ice cream balances the sweetness beautifully. For a holiday brunch, try pairing with fresh fruit or a crisp green salad to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged these bars on a festive platter lined with pine wreath greenery and candy canes for a Christmas party centerpiece — they were an instant hit! Wrapping individual bars in wax paper tied with twine makes charming gifts, especially when you add a handwritten holiday tag.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I like keeping mine covered so the chill from the fridge doesn’t make the candies lose their color or the coconut dry out.

Freezing

I’ve found these bars freeze beautifully. Just slice them first, then layer with parchment paper between pieces in a freezer-safe container. When you want a treat, thaw at room temperature and they’ll be just as tasty as fresh.

Reheating

If you like your brownies slightly warm, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave works wonders. It softens the chocolate and condensed milk layers without melting the candy toppings too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe dairy-free?

You can swap the butter for a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips. For condensed milk, look for dairy-free sweetened condensed milk alternatives or make your own using coconut milk and sugar. These tweaks keep the festive layers but accommodate dairy restrictions.

How do I prevent my candy toppings from melting in the oven?

Layering the candies on top after the initial bake and then baking at a moderate temperature helps them retain shape and color. If you notice your toppings melting too much, tent the pan with foil loosely during the second bake to protect them.

Can I use different types of nuts or skip them entirely?

Absolutely! You can substitute walnuts, pecans, or even almonds, depending on your preference. If you or your guests have allergies, just skip the nuts and add extra coconut or candy for texture and flavor.

What’s the best way to cut these bars neatly?

Use a sharp, serrated knife and wipe the blade clean between cuts to avoid dragging melted chocolate and candy. Chilling the bars thoroughly before cutting also helps maintain tidy edges and prevents cracking.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe holds a special place on my holiday dessert table because it’s the perfect balance of tradition and fun. It’s the kind of recipe friends ask for year after year because each bite feels like a little celebration. I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do — there’s so much joy in these layers of holiday magic!