Imagine all the magic of Christmas morning wrapped into a buttery, soft, and delightfully colorful treat—these Christmas Cookie Bars are the ultimate answer to your festive sweet tooth. Packed with melty white chocolate chips, crunchy holiday M&Ms, and twinkling sprinkles, every square captures that cheerful holiday spirit in just one bite. Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, hosting family, or just want to brighten up a winter afternoon, these bars bring joy and togetherness to any occasion. One pan, minimal fuss, and maximum holiday cheer—what more could you want?
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what makes these bars so irresistibly good! Each ingredient in the Christmas Cookie Bars plays a key role in building that tender crumb, rich flavor, and unmistakably festive appearance. Gather your simple pantry staples—plus a few fun additions—for a treat that everyone will love.
- All-purpose flour: The classic cookie base, giving structure while keeping the bars soft.
- Baking soda: Just a touch ensures gentle lift and a tender, chewy texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies every flavor note.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds rich, buttery flavor and helps keep the bars moist.
- Brown sugar: Infuses warmth, moisture, and a tasty hint of caramel.
- Granulated sugar: For the perfect sweetness and a bit of lightness in texture.
- Large eggs: Bind the dough and give the bars their signature chew.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and brings everything together beautifully.
- Holiday M&M candies: Bring vibrant pops of color and chocolate crunch to every bite.
- Red and green sprinkles: Make each slice feel merry, bright, and extra festive.
- White chocolate chips: Add pockets of creamy sweetness to contrast the candies.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get the right golden edges. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy lifting later. Lightly grease the paper just to ensure every last bar pops out perfectly once they’re baked.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This quick step evenly distributes the leavening and salt, preventing any uneven rises or salty spots in your bars.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until the texture turns light and fluffy—this aeration gives your Christmas Cookie Bars their tender, melt-in-your-mouth feel. Don’t skimp on the creaming time!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. This step ensures everything is evenly blended with no streaks of egg. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until combined—the aroma will already hint at good things to come!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your creamed mixture, stirring gently. You want to mix just until there are no more streaks of flour visible. Over-mixing can toughen the bars, so stop as soon as the ingredients come together.
Step 6: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Now for the fun part: gently fold in the holiday M&M candies, red and green sprinkles, and creamy white chocolate chips. Distribute them evenly so every bite of your Christmas Cookie Bars gets a bit of color, crunch, and chocolatey goodness.
Step 7: Fill the Pan and Bake
Spread the cookie dough evenly into your prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth out the top. Pop it into the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center passes the famous toothpick test—just a few moist crumbs means they’re perfect.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Patience is key here! Let the bars cool completely in the pan so they set up beautifully and cut cleanly. Once cool, lift them out with the parchment overhang and slice into 24 little squares of holiday happiness.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your Christmas Cookie Bars with an extra shower of sprinkles, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even more chopped M&Ms for extra sparkle. A drizzle of melted white chocolate makes them look even more festive for the dessert table.
Side Dishes
These bars pair beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa, creamy eggnog, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For even more holiday flair, serve them alongside a fruit platter or a bowl of spiced roasted nuts to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Go all out with presentation by stacking the bars on a tiered cake stand or wrapping a few in parchment and tying them with ribbon for delightful edible gifts. Place them in festive tins for cookie exchanges, or arrange them on a colorful platter surrounded by mini candy canes for instant party cheer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Christmas Cookie Bars at their best, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to five days, perfect for nibbling throughout the week.
Freezing
Want to get ahead on your holiday baking? These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled and sliced, layer them between sheets of wax paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll last up to three months—just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for a sweet treat.
Reheating
If you love your cookie bars slightly warm, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. The white chocolate will become blissfully gooey again, making each bite taste just-baked without any extra effort.
FAQs
Can I use different colored M&Ms or sprinkles for other holidays?
Absolutely! Switch up the candy and sprinkle colors to match any celebration—pastel for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or even blues and silvers for a winter wonderland theme. These Christmas Cookie Bars are easily customizable.
What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?
No problem—try semi-sweet, milk chocolate chips, or even butterscotch morsels. You can also mix and match to create your own flavor combination. The bars are forgiving and still delicious with any chocolate substitute.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
Check the edges for a lovely golden-brown color and insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter), your bars are good to go!
Can I make these Christmas Cookie Bars gluten-free?
Yes, simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1-for-1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure your candies and sprinkles are gluten-free too for a treat everyone can enjoy.
Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
You sure can! Use two 9×13 pans, or scale up the ingredients and bake in a larger rimmed sheet pan. Keep an eye on the baking time as it might vary with pan sizes.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to spread some holiday cheer, few recipes are as fun, festive, and foolproof as Christmas Cookie Bars. They capture all the nostalgia and sweetness of the season in every bite—perfect for sharing with those you love or enjoying with a quiet mug of cocoa. Go on, whip up a batch and bring a little extra magic to your holiday table!
Print
Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the festive spirit with these delightful Christmas Cookie Bars. Packed with M&M candies, sprinkles, and white chocolate chips, these bars are a perfect holiday treat for the whole family.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 1 cup holiday M&M candies
- 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease it.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the M&M candies, sprinkles, and white chocolate chips.
- Bake: Spread the dough in the pan evenly and bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown. Cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite chocolate or candies for different occasions.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
