Nothing says holiday magic in the kitchen like these rich, festive bars loaded with colorful M&Ms and sprinkles. This Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe is my go-to for sharing sweet moments with family—gooey, colorful, and incredibly easy to make all in one pan.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've never met a holiday party or cookie exchange where these bars didn’t steal the show. The blend of gooey brown sugar sweetness with festive M&Ms makes every bite feel like a celebration—plus, they’re super simple!
- Ultimate Gooey Texture: Soft, chewy, and a little melty on top, these bars hit that perfect texture balance.
- No Fuss Baking: One bowl, one pan, no fancy techniques needed—ideal for busy holiday baking.
- Festive & Fun: The Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles are more than decoration; they add crunch and pops of color.
- Great for Gifts & Leftovers: Freezes well so you can spread the Christmas joy over weeks, or package them up for loved ones.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe combines simple pantry staples with those bright, festive additions to create a treat that’s as delicious as it is cheerful. Each ingredient plays a role, whether it’s giving structure, moistness, or that signature sweet chewiness.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness and ensures a creamy, rich base.
- Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar provides moisture and deep caramel notes that make these bars wonderfully gooey.
- Eggs: Eggs bind the dough together and help create that tender bar texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds warmth and rounds out the flavor beautifully.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance all that sweetness and enhance flavors.
- Baking Powder: Gives a subtle lift without making the bars cakey.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure-builder that holds everything perfectly together.
- Christmas M&Ms: Not just colorful but add little bursts of chocolate, fun to bite into!
- Christmas Sprinkles: Use jimmies for a better texture—adds a little crunch and festive flair right on top.
Make It Your Way
What I really love is how easy it is to tweak these cookie bars to suit your style—whether you want to add nuts, swap out the M&Ms for white chocolate chunks, or even make it vegan with a few smart substitutions.
- Variation: One holiday, I added chopped pecans on top before baking, which added a delightful crunch and nutty contrast—totally worth trying!
- Dietary Twist: Use dairy-free butter and flax eggs to make these bars vegan-friendly without losing that delicious chewy texture.
- Seasonal Spins: Swap Christmas sprinkles for candy cane bits or colored sugar in different seasons to keep things fresh.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Get Cozy
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. I always line my 9x13” metal pan with foil and spray it well with cooking spray. Pro tip: don’t use glass pans here—the metal helps these bars bake evenly and get that bit of golden crust we love.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar
Using either a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar together until crumbly and blended—this is the secret to that luscious gooey texture. The mix will look sandy but it’s perfect.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavor
Next up, beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract until smooth and combined. This step helps everything come together, making the dough silky and ready for dry ingredients.
Step 4: Fold in Dry Ingredients and Festive Mix-Ins
Whisk salt and baking powder into the flour, then add this to your wet mix in batches. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix or you’ll lose that tender texture. Gently fold in the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles to keep those colors bright and the chocolate chunks intact.
Step 5: Spread, Smooth, and Bake
The dough will be wet and sticky, so here’s my favorite trick: spray your hands with cooking spray and smooth the dough into an even layer in the pan. Top with a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles for that festive finish. Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden around the edges but still a touch soft in the center—that’s key to gooey bars. Remember, they finish baking as they cool!
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This helps them set so you don’t end up with crumbly edges. I like to use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts for clean slices.
Top Tip
From my many attempts, here’s what’s helped me nail the perfect gooey Christmas Cookie Bars every time—these pointers saved me from dry or crumbly batches and made baking a breeze!
- Baking Time Matters: Don’t overbake! Pull them as soon as the edges turn golden. The center will still look a bit soft but will firm up as it cools.
- Use Metal Pans: Glass pans can slow baking and mess with texture. Metal ensures even heat and that perfect crust on the bars.
- Hand-Smoothing Trick: Sticky dough? Spray your hands before spreading to get a smooth, even layer without frustration.
- Sprinkles Type: I always go for jimmies over nonpareils because they keep their crunch and don’t bleed color.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with extra festive sprinkles right on top before baking. Sometimes I’ll dust with a little powdered sugar after they cool for a snowy appearance—makes for pretty gift packaging too!
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a mug of hot cocoa or a spiced cider for warming holiday vibes. They also pair beautifully with peppermint bark or classic gingerbread cookies for a cookie platter that wows.
Creative Ways to Present
One year I stacked these bars in a clear jar layered with festive ribbon and tulle—everyone loved the presentation! You can also cut them into bite-sized squares and arrange on a holiday-themed plate with fresh cranberries and evergreen sprigs for a festive look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They stay soft and chewy, so no need to refrigerate unless your kitchen is very warm.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully! I usually cut them into squares first, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to a month—perfect for making ahead of your holiday gatherings.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy, I let frozen bars thaw to room temperature or pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to revive that fresh-baked gooeyness. Just be careful not to overheat and dry them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Regular or mini chocolate chips work great and still give you that sweet melty chocolate goodness. You just won’t get the colorful festive pop, but the taste is just as amazing.
Glass pans bake things more slowly and unevenly because they retain heat differently than metal. Using a metal pan ensures your Christmas cookie bars get that perfect golden crust and bake evenly throughout.
Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. I recommend one with xanthan gum already included to help with texture. The bars may be slightly more delicate but will still be delicious and festive.
Keep a close eye starting at 20 minutes and remove from the oven as soon as edges start to turn golden but the center still looks a bit soft. The bars will finish setting as they cool, preserving that chewy, gooey texture we all love.
Final Thoughts
These Christmas Cookie Bars have become my little holiday secret for quick yet impressive treats. They bring a smile every time, whether it’s an impromptu office party or a cozy night in with hot cocoa. I promise, once you try this recipe, it’ll be a holiday tradition you’ll look forward to just as much as the decorations!
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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
Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars are festive blondies loaded with holiday M&Ms and sprinkles, perfect for easy holiday baking and gifting. These bars are soft, chewy, and full of cheerful colors, making them a delightful treat for family and friends during the Christmas season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (400g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms (or your favorite color)
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (use jimmies for best results)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9x13” metal pan with foil. Spray the foil generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Avoid using a glass pan as it will not yield the best results.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time and then add the vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt, baking powder, and all-purpose flour. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in the Christmas M&Ms and half of the Christmas sprinkles into the dough gently to distribute evenly.
- Spread Dough in Pan: Since the dough is wet and sticky, spray your hands with cooking spray and press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and sprinkles on top for extra color and texture.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the bars begin to turn golden around the edges. It’s better to slightly under bake as the bars will continue to cook and set while cooling, yielding gooey centers.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out the foil and slicing into 24 bars.
- Store: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 1 month to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use a metal pan and foil with cooking spray for easy removal and best texture; glass pans are not recommended.
- Spraying your hands with cooking spray makes it easier to spread the sticky dough evenly without mess.
- Do not overbake; the bars should be slightly undercooked when removed from the oven for that perfect gooey texture.
- Christmas M&Ms can be substituted with any colorful candy or chocolate chips depending on preference.
- These bars freeze well, making them ideal for making ahead and gifting during the holidays.
- If you prefer a less sweet bar, you can reduce the brown sugar slightly but this will alter the texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- 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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