There’s something irresistibly festive about a gooey, colorful batch of cookie bars that bring all the holiday cheer in one bite. This Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe is my go-to when I want something easy, crowd-pleasing, and perfectly festive without any fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made many cookie bar recipes over the years, but this one wins my heart every time. It’s like Christmas in dessert form—gooey, colorful, and simple enough to whip up at the last minute. The texture is soft yet sturdy, and the holiday M&Ms and sprinkles add that extra jolly touch.
- Gooey yet sturdy texture: These bars have just the right balance between soft, chewy, and sliceable.
- Super festive look: With Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles mixed right in, the bars look like a holiday party on a plate.
- Easy and fast to make: No rolling or cutting cookies—just mix, press, bake, and slice.
- Perfect for gifting or sharing: These bars freeze beautifully and stay fresh for days, making holiday prep stress-free.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe plays an important role in creating that addictive texture and festive flavor. Using simple pantry staples lets you customize the fun mix-ins without fuss.
- Unsalted butter: Provides the rich, creamy base for a tender crumb—make sure it’s melted or very soft for easy mixing.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and sweetness, giving the bars their classic gooey texture and caramel notes.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and help with structure without making it cakey.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, comforting aroma.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens flavors, don’t skip it!
- Baking powder: Gives a slight lift so the bars aren’t too dense but still hold together.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that keeps everything neat and sliceable.
- Christmas M&Ms: Colorful and festive, plus a fun crunch and chocolate burst inside.
- Christmas sprinkles (jimmies): Add sparkle and a bit of texture; I love using jimmies because they hold up nicely through baking.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I usually tweak the mix-ins depending on what we have or who I’m gifting to, and it’s always a hit.
- Variation: For a nutty twist, I love tossing in chopped pecans or walnuts with the M&Ms. It adds a satisfying crunch and richer flavor profile.
- Dietary swap: You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend without losing that amazing texture.
- Seasonal change: Try swapping Christmas M&Ms for other festive-colored candies—red and pink for Valentine’s, pastels for Easter—it’s a versatile base!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Pan Right
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9x13-inch metal pan with foil. Spray the foil really well with cooking spray—that’s the secret to easy removal and clean edges. I don’t use glass pans for these because the metal helps everything bake evenly and keeps the edges from getting tough.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until crumbly but well combined. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing just until smooth and silky—don’t overbeat or the texture will get cakey.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients & Mix-ins
Sprinkle in the salt and baking powder, then sift or sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Stir gently until just combined—no flour streaks! Fold in your Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles, saving a handful to scatter over the top for an extra festive finish.
Step 4: Press and Bake
The dough is quite wet, so spray your hands and gently press it into the pan, smoothing an even layer. Don’t worry if it looks soft—this is what makes it gooey and tender! Scatter the remaining M&Ms and sprinkles on top to really nail the holiday vibe. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until just starting to turn golden around the edges. Remember, underbaking slightly is okay here—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 5: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. This helps them set up perfectly so they don’t crumble. Then, cut into 24 generous squares and get ready to enjoy!
Top Tip
I learned a few things the hard way while making this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe that I want to share, to save you time and frustration!
- Use metal pans: Trust me, glass pans bake differently and can overcook the edges before the center is done.
- Spray your hands: The dough is sticky, and spraying your hands with cooking spray makes pressing it into the pan so much easier and neater.
- Don’t overbake: These bars look slightly underdone right out of the oven but will finish setting as they cool, staying soft and yummy.
- Sprinkles choice matters: I prefer jimmies over nonpareils because they don’t melt as much and keep that lovely crunch and color contrast.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple and let the bars speak for themselves, but if I’m serving these at a party, I sometimes sprinkle a bit of extra powdered sugar or even a drizzle of white chocolate over the top—because who can resist chocolate and Christmas?
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a mug of hot cocoa or a cup of spiced coffee for a cozy holiday treat. They also complement a holiday cookie platter beautifully, adding variety without extra fuss.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, I stack the bars in a festive tin lined with parchment paper and tie a pretty ribbon around it. I’ve even wrapped individual bars in wax paper and placed them in cello bags for easy gifting at office parties. Presentation matters and makes receiving these bars even more fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Christmas Cookie Bars stored in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is warm, a cool spot or even the fridge works fine, though it might firm the bars slightly.
Freezing
This recipe freezes wonderfully. I slice the bars before freezing, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then store them in a sealed freezer bag. They keep well for up to a month and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
If you like your cookie bars slightly warm, pop a frozen or refrigerated piece in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. It revives that fresh-baked gooeyness without drying them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can swap Christmas M&Ms for peanut butter M&Ms, regular chocolate chips, or any festive candy-coated chocolates you like. Just keep in mind that melting properties vary, so the texture might shift slightly.
Glass pans tend to bake the edges faster and can cause uneven cooking, leading to tougher edges and a drier interior. Metal pans conduct heat more evenly and give those perfectly soft, gooey bars.
Make sure to not overbake—take them out as soon as the edges start to turn golden and the center looks set but still soft. They’ll finish cooking as they cool. Also, storing them properly in an airtight container prevents drying out.
Yes, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious and festive!
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe always brings a smile around my kitchen because it combines simplicity with that holiday sparkle we all crave. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or as a quick gift, these bars deliver holiday magic without the hassle. Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find yourself making them a new tradition!
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Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars are festive blondies packed with holiday M&M's and sprinkles. Easy to make, soft, and chewy, they’re perfect for holiday gifting or for enjoying throughout the season. The buttery base combined with chocolate candies and colorful sprinkles gives a fun and delicious twist to classic cookie bars.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (400g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
Toppings and Mix-ins
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms (or your favorite color)
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (use jimmies for best results)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch metal pan with foil and spray it well with cooking spray. Avoid using a glass pan for best results.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend the unsalted butter and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes crumbly. Then, mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the salt and baking powder into the mixture, followed by the all-purpose flour. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Stir in the Christmas M&Ms and half of the Christmas sprinkles into the batter to spread the festive colors and flavors throughout.
- Spread Batter in Pan: Spray your hands lightly with cooking spray and spread the wet, sticky batter evenly in the prepared pan. Smooth the top with your hands for an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and sprinkles on top as a decoration.
- Bake: Bake the bars for about 25 minutes, or until they begin to turn golden around the edges. Aim to slightly underbake them because they will continue to cook as they cool, ensuring a gooey texture.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then use the foil to lift them out and slice into 24 bars.
- Store: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month for longer storage.
Notes
- Use a metal pan as the recipe requires; glass pans can cause uneven baking.
- Spraying your hands with cooking spray helps in spreading the sticky batter evenly without mess.
- Underbaking slightly helps maintain the gooey, soft texture as the bars finish cooking while cooling.
- You can customize the candy mix-ins with your preferred seasonal colors or your favorite candies.
- These bars freeze well, making them ideal for holiday gifting or prepping desserts ahead of time.
- Use jimmies for sprinkles instead of sugar crystals to get better color and texture without melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 205 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 66 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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