There's just something magical about layers of gooey chocolate, chewy coconut, and festive sprinkles all combined in one dessert. This Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe brings all those holiday flavors together in a beautifully rich, sweet treat that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat.

A close-up view of three thick square brownie pieces stacked vertically with the bottom piece on a wooden board. Each brownie has a dense dark brown base layer with a smooth texture and a top layer filled with small green, red, and brown candy-coated chocolate pieces embedded in a white, slightly crumbly layer. Around the brownies, scattered green and red candy pieces add vibrant color. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the rich texture and colorful toppings of the brownies. 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 Brownie Layer Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the moment I first baked this Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe, I knew I had something special. The way the layers come together — rich brownie base, gooey condensed milk drizzle, crunchy nuts, and bursts of colorful M&Ms — it’s like festive comfort in every bite.

Multi-layered textures: Soft and fudgy brownie meets chewy coconut and crunchy nuts with a sprinkle of M&Ms for that perfect bite.
Festive and fun: The holiday M&Ms and sprinkles make these bars look joyful enough for any party table.
Easy to make: No fancy equipment needed, just layers you pour and sprinkle — so approachable for any skill level.
Perfect for gifting: These bars cut into squares and wrapped make a lovely homemade gift that friends and family will adore.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe plays a starring role to create that dreamy balance of richness, sweetness, and texture. Using quality chocolate and fresh eggs makes all the difference, and I always recommend spreading the nuts evenly for the best crunch in every bite.

Flat lay of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small white ceramic bowl, a stick of salted butter unwrapped and whole, granulated sugar in a small white ceramic bowl, two large brown eggs with clean shells, one large egg yolk in a small white ceramic bowl, all-purpose flour in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with mixed chopped nuts, mini holiday M&Ms scattered neatly on the surface, regular holiday M&Ms in a small white ceramic bowl, sweetened flaked coconut piled in a small white ceramic bowl, sweetened condensed milk in a small white ceramic bowl, colorful holiday sprinkles in a small white ceramic bowl, all ingredients arranged with perfect symmetry 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: Melting these with butter creates the fudgy brownie base that’s decadently chocolatey.
Salted butter: Adds richness and balances the sweetness perfectly; unsalted butter can be used but add a pinch of salt.
Granulated sugar: Keeps the texture balanced — not too cakey, not too chewy.
Eggs and egg yolk: Provide structure while keeping the brownies moist and tender.
All-purpose flour: The key to that chewy, dense brownie bite everyone loves.
Vanilla extract: Just a hint lifts all the chocolate and coconut flavors.
Nuts (optional): I love walnuts or pecans, which add a satisfying crunch and complement the chocolate beautifully.
Mini holiday M&Ms and regular holiday M&Ms: These festive candies add bursts of color and sweet crunch.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (reserve): Sprinkled on top for a melty, chocolatey finish after baking.
Sweetened flaked coconut: Adds chewiness and a tropical twist that pairs surprisingly well with the chocolate and nuts.
Sweetened condensed milk: This gooey layer is pure magic — it melts and sets perfectly to tie all the toppings together.
Holiday sprinkles: The final festive touch making these bars as joyful to look at as they are to eat.

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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

The beauty of this Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I often swap out the nuts or add extra spices for a twist, and I encourage you to play around with your favorite festive candies too.

Nut-free variation: I’ve made these without nuts for picky eaters or allergies; just replace with extra coconut or chocolate chips for texture.
Spiced version: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the brownie base gives a cozy holiday aroma — perfect for chilly evenings.
Extra chocolate lover: Throw in more mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top before serving for an indulgent treat.
Salted caramel twist: Swirling a bit of salted caramel sauce before the second bake layer adds another dimension of flavor that’s heavenly.

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

The image shows a close-up view of square dessert bars arranged in a grid. Each square has three layers: a dark brown bottom layer that looks like a dense brownie, a middle layer of white cream or frosting, and a top layer decorated with red and green candy-coated chocolates, small green and red round sprinkles, dark brown chocolate chunks, and tiny white snowflake-shaped sprinkles. The candies and sprinkles are spread unevenly on the white top layer, creating a colorful and festive look. The dessert squares rest on a dark wooden surface shown between the gaps. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melt Butter and Chocolate Like a Pro

Start by placing the butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. I microwave them for 30 seconds, stir, then continue heating in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. This slow melting keeps the chocolate silky smooth without any graininess — patience really pays off here!

Step 2: Mix Your Brownie Base

Once melted, beat in the sugar, then add the vanilla, eggs, and the egg yolk. Thoroughly combined is the goal, but try not to overmix once you add the flour. Stir that in gently until just combined; overworking can toughen brownies.

Step 3: Bake the First Layer

Pour your brownie batter into a foil- or parchment-lined 9-inch pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are set and the center jiggles just slightly—it’s meant to still be soft for the toppings.

Step 4: Add the Festive Layers

Now for the fun part! Sprinkle the nuts evenly across the warm brownie, then half of the reserved chocolate chips and half the M&Ms. Add the shredded coconut layer on top, then pour the sweetened condensed milk gently but evenly over everything. Don’t rush—making sure it’s spread evenly helps it set nicely.

Step 5: Top and Final Bake

Sprinkle on the remaining chocolate chips, M&Ms, and your holiday sprinkles for that festive sparkle. Pop the pan back in the oven for another 25 minutes. If you see the top browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil. When the edges turn golden and the center firms up, you’re good to go.

Step 6: Cool and Cut

Patience now pays off—cool this tray completely before slicing into squares with a sharp knife. Trust me, this keeps the layers distinct and the bars from falling apart. Plus, it tastes even better when all the layers have set nicely.

Top Tip

After years of holiday baking, here’s my best advice: layering isn’t just for looks—it’s about building the perfect texture with every bite. Don’t rush the spread of the condensed milk, and watch carefully during the last bake to prevent burning.

Even Layering: Spread nuts and candies evenly so each bar gets a bit of everything — it makes every piece special.
Gentle Mixing: Stir brownies just until combined to avoid tough, dry texture.
Foil Tent: If the top browns too fast, tent the pan with foil to keep it moist and prevent burning.
Cooling Time: Let the bars cool fully before cutting — it ensures clean edges and intact layers.

How to Serve Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe

Christmas Brownie Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When I serve these at holiday parties, I keep it simple—just a sprinkle of extra holiday-colored sugar or edible glitter on top amps up the festive feel without overpowering the bars’ flavors. Sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar works beautifully too, especially for gifting.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these indulgent bars with a cup of strong coffee or a mug of spicy hot cocoa to balance the sweetness. For holiday brunches, they’re a fun addition alongside fresh fruit or whipped cream for lightness.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas gatherings, I’ve placed these bars in decorative tins lined with festive parchment paper. Wrapping each square individually in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon makes a delightful homemade gift that everyone loves unwrapping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover brownie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and moist for about a week, although I bet they won’t last that long in your house! Keeping them outside the fridge prevents the chocolate from hardening too much.

Freezing

I freeze these bars successfully by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then storing in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture. It’s a lifesaver during busy holiday weeks.

Reheating

If I want to enjoy leftovers warm, I pop a square in the microwave for 15 seconds—just enough to soften the chocolate and condensed milk layer but not melt everything completely. It tastes almost as fresh as right out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different kinds of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Semi-sweet chips provide classic brownie flavor, but feel free to experiment with dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips based on your preference.

Do I need to use nuts in the recipe?

The nuts add a nice crunch but aren’t mandatory. If you have allergies or prefer nut-free, simply skip them or substitute with extra coconut or more M&Ms.

Why does the brownie layer jiggle after the first baking?

That jiggle means the brownies are still soft and gooey inside, which is perfect. The second bake with the toppings will set everything up and develop a delightful chewy texture.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble the bars the day before baking and refrigerate, then bake fresh when ready. This makes holiday prep easier and helps flavors meld beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking tradition. It’s the kind of dessert that sparks smiles and gets everyone reaching for seconds. I can’t recommend enough that you try making it this season — it’s truly a festive crowd-pleaser that brings a little extra magic to your holiday table.