Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

If you’re looking for a fuss-free festive treat, these Christmas Cookie Bars are a perfect choice. Soft, chewy, and bursting with colorful M&Ms and sprinkles, they capture all the joy of holiday baking without the hassle of rolling and cutting cookies. Easy to make and sure to please any crowd, these bars are a holiday classic made simple.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
• 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together—avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles, then press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
5. Step 5: Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
6. Step 6: Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into squares. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature butter for a smoother batter and chewier bars.
• Avoid overmixing once you add the flour to keep your bars tender, not dense.
• Swap the M&Ms for mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or crushed peppermint candies for a different festive twist.
• For thicker bars, use a 9×9-inch pan and bake a few minutes longer until set.
• Metal baking pans work best for golden edges and a chewy center.

Storage

Store your Christmas cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to keep them soft and chewy. For longer storage, freeze the bars in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. To enjoy warm bars, microwave a square for 10–15 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked feel.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid making the bars too salty.

How do I prevent the bars from drying out?

Store them in an airtight container promptly after cooling, and avoid overbaking. The bars should still look slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 92 reviews

These Christmas Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with festive colors from Christmas M&Ms and jimmies sprinkles. They bake up golden on the edges with a gooey center, capturing the nostalgic flavor of classic holiday cookies without the fuss. Perfect for holiday parties, bake sales, gift-giving, or a cozy movie night treat, they’re simple to make, easy to share, and irresistibly delicious.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 15 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder

Add-ins

• 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
• 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cookie bars.
2. Beat Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together until creamy and well combined, creating a smooth base for the dough.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated, ensuring a rich and flavorful dough.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
5. Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
6. Fold in M&Ms and Sprinkles: Carefully fold in the Christmas M&Ms and jimmies sprinkles to evenly distribute the festive colors and flavors throughout the dough.
7. Press Dough and Bake: Evenly press the dough into the prepared 9×13-inch pan, then bake in the preheated oven for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set but still chewy.
8. Cool and Slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into squares for serving.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter to ensure smooth blending with sugar and achieve a soft, chewy texture.
• Do not overmix the dough after adding the flour to keep the bars tender and prevent toughness.
• Let the bars cool completely before slicing to allow them to set for clean, neat cuts.
• Metal pans work best for baking these bars as they promote golden edges and a chewy center.
• Feel free to customize the mix-ins with mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or crushed peppermint candies.
• For thicker bars, use a smaller 9×9-inch pan and increase the baking time by a few minutes.
• Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
• Warm a square in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to revive the fresh-baked texture before serving.

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