There’s something about bite-sized, sweet, and festive treats that fill the house with warmth and joy — that’s exactly why this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe has become my holiday go-to. Gooey, loaded with colorful M&Ms, and crowned by twinkling sprinkles, these bars bring that nostalgic Christmas magic to every snack time or gathering.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
The joy of this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe isn’t just in the taste—it’s in how simple and festive it feels to make. I remember the first time I whipped these up; my kitchen smelled like holiday cheer, and everyone couldn’t stop grabbing a bar. It’s just that good and easy!
- Easy to Make: No fancy techniques—just stir and bake for a fuss-free holiday treat.
- Fun and Festive: Those vibrant Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles make these bars brighten up any cookie plate.
- Perfectly Gooey Texture: These bars hit the sweet spot between soft and chewy every single time.
- Great Make-Ahead Option: Freeze for later or gift them—it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe combines simple pantry staples with festive additions that create a perfect balance of buttery sweetness and colorful crunch. Choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference when you want those bars to be gloriously gooey.
- Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted so I can control the saltiness—plus, it makes the bars rich and tender.
- Brown Sugar: This brings in moisture and that deep molasses flavor that’s key for a chewy bite.
- Eggs: They bind everything perfectly and add richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon lifts the whole flavor profile beautifully.
- Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness—don't skip it!
- Baking Powder: Helps these bars rise just enough without turning cakey.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure; I recommend fluffing it before measuring to avoid dense bars.
- Christmas M&Ms: I love these for their holiday colors and that little chocolate surprise in every bite.
- Christmas Sprinkles (Jimmies recommended): Adds texture and festive sparkle; jimmies hold up well during baking.
Make It Your Way
I love switching up the mix-ins here to match the season or mood. Sometimes I throw in crushed peppermint candies for a minty twist, or swap the M&Ms for white chocolate chips and red-and-green sprinkles. Feel free to play around with what feels most festive or what you have handy!
- Variation: One holiday, I replaced the brown sugar with coconut sugar and added chopped pecans, which gave it a nutty depth that my family adored.
- Dietary Modifications: I’ve tried gluten-free flour blends with success, but just keep an eye on the baking time — gluten-free tends to brown faster.
- Seasonal Spin: Swap sprinkles for mini chocolate chips or nuts to enjoy this recipe year-round.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13” metal pan with foil (trust me, metal bakes these bars best for that perfect crust) and spray generously with cooking spray. A well-greased pan or foil ensures easy removal once baked.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture looks crumbly and combined. No need for fluffy peaks here, just stir until blended—simple but important!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until your batter is smooth and glossy. This step ensures your bars will be moist and tender.
Step 4: Stir in Dry Ingredients and Mix-Ins
Add salt, baking powder, then flour—mixing just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing or your bars could get tough. Finally, fold in Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles carefully to spread the colors throughout.
Step 5: Spread Batter and Bake
The batter is wet and sticky, so spray your hands with cooking spray before pressing the dough evenly into the pan. Sprinkle a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles on top for that picture-perfect look. Bake for 22-25 minutes until edges turn golden; remember, err on the under-baked side to keep gooey!
Top Tip
I’ve baked lots of holiday bars, and what makes or breaks them is timing. That slight wobble in the center when you take these out means success—if you overbake, they get dry instead of gooey.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the bars out when the edges look golden but the middle still jiggles a bit.
- Use Metal Pans: Glass pans can bake unevenly and dry out the bars.
- Even Layer: Spray your hands with cooking spray before smoothing batter to avoid mess and get a perfect surface.
- Sprinkles for Texture: Jimmies hold their shape better than nonpareils in the oven—trust me on this!
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple—an extra sprinkle of festive jimmies on top after baking adds that little sparkle. Sometimes I dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect that’s always charming on a holiday platter.
Side Dishes
These bars pair beautifully with a warm mug of hot cocoa or spiced cider. I like serving them alongside other classics like gingerbread cookies or peppermint bark for the ultimate holiday dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I slice these bars into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a tiered cake stand with holly leaves and cinnamon sticks. It instantly elevates the presentation and makes it feel extra special!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay moist and delicious, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully. I wrap individual portions in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag for up to a month. Just thaw at room temperature or warm slightly before serving—you wouldn’t guess they were frozen!
Reheating
To reheat, I pop a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that gooey warmth. This quick trick makes leftovers taste just like freshly baked.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can use mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or even chopped candy canes for a peppermint twist. Just keep in mind that M&Ms add a bit of crunch and color unique to this recipe.
Metal pans conduct heat more evenly and help create the ideal crust without overcooking the edges. Glass pans tend to bake slower and can dry out the bars or lead to uneven cooking.
Yes! Swap the butter for your favorite dairy-free alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil. Just note the texture and flavor might be slightly different, but these bars will still be delicious and festive.
The key is to pull the bars out when the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly undercooked or wobbly. They’ll finish baking as they cool. Overbaking leads to dry bars, so watch the clock and trust your eyes!
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe holds a special place in my holiday heart because it’s a reminder that joy is often found in the simplest things—a buttery square packed with color and memories. I’m confident you’ll love making these as much as you’ll love sharing them, whether it’s with family, friends, or just your sweet tooth craving a festive fix.
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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&Ms and sprinkles, perfect for celebrations. Easy to make and freezer-friendly, these bars are soft, sweet, and ideal for gifting or enjoying with family during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Cookie Bar Base
- 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
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 generously with cooking spray. Avoid using glass pans for this recipe.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes crumbly. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the salt and baking powder into the wet mixture. Gradually add the flour and mix just until combined to form the dough.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Stir in the Christmas M&Ms and half of the Christmas sprinkles, integrating them evenly throughout the batter.
- Spread the Batter: Spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then, evenly press the wet dough into the prepared pan, smoothing it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and sprinkles evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the edges start turning golden and the center is just set. Avoid overbaking as the bars will continue to cook while cooling.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 24 bars. This helps them set up and maintain their gooey texture.
- Storage: Store cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to one month for extended freshness.
Notes
- Use metal pans instead of glass to ensure even baking and proper texture.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray to easily spread the sticky dough without mess.
- Err on the side of underbaking to keep the bars gooey; they will firm up as they cool.
- Substitute Christmas M&Ms with any festive-colored candy or chocolate chips if desired.
- Freezing these bars makes it easy to prepare ahead for holiday gifting or celebrations.
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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