The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of festive Christmas Cookie Bars? If you’re looking for a fun and delicious treat that’s as easy to make as it is to eat, you’ve come to the right place. These bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday cheer! Whether you’re prepping for a Christmas party, cookie exchange, or just need a sweet snack, this recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.
Let’s dive in and get your kitchen smelling like pure holiday magic!
Ingredients
To make these delightful Christmas Cookie Bars, you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup holiday M&M’s (red and green)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup festive sprinkles (optional, but so fun!)
How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars
These bars are super easy to whip up and don’t require much effort, which is perfect for the busy holiday season!
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving some overhang to make removing the bars easier.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly stir in the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Fold in the Goodies: Gently fold in the M&M’s, chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips. If you’re using sprinkles, now’s the time to toss them in for that extra festive touch.
- Spread the Batter: Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top so that it bakes evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. You want them to be slightly gooey for that perfect chewy texture!
- Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the overhang to lift the bars out and cut them into squares or rectangles.
Details and nutritional information
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Perfect Notes and Tips
- Don’t Overbake: These bars can go from chewy to too dry quickly, so keep an eye on them! They’ll continue to set as they cool.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: This helps everything mix together more smoothly.
- Custom Toppings: You can easily swap out the holiday M&M’s for any other festive colors depending on the occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Can I freeze Christmas Cookie Bars?
Yes! These bars freeze really well. Once they’re completely cool, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then store in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer. Just thaw them at room temperature before serving.
How long will these bars stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these bars will stay fresh for about 4-5 days. But let’s be honest—they probably won’t last that long!
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re making these for a crowd, you can easily double the ingredients and bake them in a larger pan, such as an 11×15-inch, but you may need to adjust the baking time slightly.
Storage Instructions
If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just wrap each bar individually, place them in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll last up to 3 months.
Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love Holiday Dessert
I hope you enjoy making these Christmas Cookie Bars as much as I do! They’re easy, festive, and incredibly delicious—sure to bring a smile to anyone who takes a bite. So grab your ingredients, put on some holiday music, and get baking! Happy holidays!
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Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft and chewy Christmas Cookie Bars are packed with festive M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles, making them the perfect holiday treat! Simple to make, they’re sure to be a hit at any Christmas party or family gathering. A fun, colorful, and delicious dessert to enjoy all season long.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup holiday M&M’s
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup festive sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined.
- Slowly stir in flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in M&M’s, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
- These bars are best when slightly underbaked for that perfect chewy texture.
- Feel free to swap M&M’s with other festive candies or add-ins like chopped nuts.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- You can double the recipe and use a larger pan for more servings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas Cookie Bars, holiday dessert, M&M bars