Christmas Cookie Bars

Name: Christmas Cookie Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2/3 cup granulated sugar; 3/4 cup butter, softened (1½ sticks); 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup Christmas M&M’s, divided (½ cup in batter, ½ on top); ¼ cup white chocolate chips (for topping)

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The holiday season is all about warmth, celebration, and, of course, delicious treats. Christmas Cookie Bars are the ultimate answer to festive baking when time is short, but you still want to wow your friends, family, or holiday guests. These soft, chewy bars are packed with gooey chocolate chips, colorful Christmas M&M’s, and topped with white chocolate for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dessert. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from why these cookie bars are a seasonal favorite to how to make them step by step—including variations, decorating tips, and more.
Looking for inspiration? Try The Ultimate Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies for another easy festive bake!

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Simplicity and Convenience for Busy Holiday Bakers

If you’ve ever made traditional Christmas cookies, you know they can take up your whole day—mixing, chilling, scooping, baking multiple batches. Enter Christmas Cookie Bars. These easy one-pan desserts deliver the same irresistible flavor without all the fuss. Just one bowl, one pan, and you’re done in under 40 minutes. It’s a game-changer for anyone balancing baking with the chaos of the holiday season.

Fun, Colorful, and Perfect for Kids and Adults

With vibrant red and green Christmas M&M’s and a golden cookie base, these bars look just as festive as they taste. They’re a hit with kids for the fun colors and sweet bites, while adults love the nostalgic, chocolate chip cookie flavor. They make the perfect treat for school parties, cookie trays, and family get-togethers.
Check out Chewy Maple Brown Sugar Cookies if you’re looking for a cozy fall-to-winter transition treat.

Unlike individual cookies that can break or go stale quickly, cookie bars are sturdy, travel-friendly, and easy to package as gifts. Whether you’re joining a holiday cookie exchange or putting together DIY treat bags, these bars slice beautifully and hold their shape. Don’t miss our Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars for another party-ready idea.

Key Baking Staples You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Most of what you need is likely already in your pantry. Here’s the ingredient lineup that makes these bars chewy, buttery, and flavorful:

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Brown Sugar (packed)	1 cup	Adds moisture and rich flavor
Granulated Sugar	2/3 cup	Sweetness and structure
Butter (softened)	3/4 cup (1½ sticks)	Provides fat for softness
Eggs	2 large	Binds and enriches
Vanilla Extract	2 tsp	Enhances overall flavor
Baking Soda	1 tsp	Leavening for lift
Salt	1 tsp	Balances sweetness
All-Purpose Flour	3 cups	Base of the dough
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips	1 cup	Classic chocolate flavor
Christmas M&M’s	1 cup (½ in dough, ½ on top)	Festive flair + crunch
White Chocolate Chips	¼ cup (topping)	Sweet visual contrast

These ingredients come together to create the signature chewy texture and holiday flavor that make this dessert a standout.

Festive Add-Ins: Christmas M&M’s and White Chocolate Chips

Using red and green M&M’s instantly makes these bars pop with holiday cheer. Half get mixed into the dough while the other half (with white chocolate chips) are sprinkled on top for a gorgeous finish. Pro tip: add the white chocolate chips during the last 10 minutes of baking to keep them snow-white.
Don’t miss our Christmas Funfetti Cookies for another colorful holiday treat.

Ingredient Swaps and Dietary Options

Want to tailor the bars to suit different dietary needs?

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Avoid almond flour, which alters texture.
Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for vegan butter and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
Low Sugar: Use coconut sugar in place of brown sugar and reduce chocolate add-ins by half.

These adaptations still give you delicious results without compromising on flavor.

Prep and Mixing: One-Bowl Magic

Preheat your oven to 325°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and softened butter using a hand or stand mixer. Beat for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla extract, then beat again until smooth. Don’t skip this—creaming properly helps create that soft, chewy texture.

Add baking soda and salt. Slowly mix in the flour until the dough forms. Stir in the chocolate chips and half the M&M’s. That’s it—no chilling required!

Spreading and Topping Tips for Even Baking

Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula. It might feel thick, but press it gently to the edges. Top with the remaining M&M’s and white chocolate chips. For a bakery-style finish, gently press them into the top for even distribution.
Discover great ideas like our Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies if you’re in the mood for layered dessert flavors.

Baking Time and How to Avoid Overbaking

Bake for 26 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the edges pull away from the pan. Don’t overbake—it’s better to err slightly under than risk dry bars. The residual heat will continue to cook them as they cool.

Let the bars cool completely before slicing. This helps them set properly and makes for cleaner cuts.

Timing the Toppings for a Perfect Finish

If you want your white chocolate chips to remain bright and snowy, wait until the last 10 minutes of baking to add them on top. This keeps them from melting into the dough or turning slightly golden. For an extra crunch, sprinkle a few crushed peppermint candies or sanding sugar right after baking.

Cutting into Neat Bars for Presentation

Once your bars are fully cooled, use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut clean, even squares. Wiping the blade between cuts prevents sticking. You can cut them into 24 small pieces or 12 generous ones—perfect for gifting or serving at parties.
Check out our Pumpkin Crisp Recipe for another beautifully sliced holiday dessert.

Storage Tips to Keep Them Fresh

Store your cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them in layers with parchment paper in between for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight and they’re good to go!

Variations and Customizations to Try

Swap M&M’s with Crushed Peppermint or Sprinkles

If you want to switch things up, crushed peppermint candies offer a cool contrast to the sweet dough. You can also go for holiday sprinkles, chopped Andes mints, or even red velvet chocolate chunks for a twist.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Adaptations

Need allergy-friendly options?

Use King Arthur’s or Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 gluten-free flour.
Replace butter with vegan margarine and eggs with a chia or flax egg.
Opt for dairy-free chocolate chips and festive vegan candy.

These tweaks make it easy to include everyone at the dessert table.

Add a Drizzle – Caramel, Chocolate, or White Chocolate

Once cooled, take it up a notch with a drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel. This adds a professional bakery look and rich flavor. Let it harden slightly before cutting for less mess.

Don’t miss our Chocolate Strawberry Brownies for another luscious chocolatey variation!

Can I make these Christmas Cookie Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars hold up well for several days. Just store them in an airtight container or wrap tightly and freeze until ready to serve.

What makes these bars soft and chewy instead of cakey?

Using packed brown sugar, not overmixing the flour, and avoiding overbaking are the key tricks. The brown sugar adds moisture, while careful mixing prevents a tough texture.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! Use a half-sheet pan (13×18 inch) and double all ingredients. Add a few minutes to baking time and check for doneness with a toothpick.

How do I make them look more festive?

Use red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, or edible glitter. You can even cut them into shapes using cookie cutters once cooled.

Can I use a different candy or chocolate?

Sure! Chopped candy canes, Andes mints, mini Reese’s, or crushed Oreos work great. Just stick to about 1–1½ cups of add-ins total.

Conclusion

Christmas Cookie Bars are the ideal dessert for your festive baking lineup. They’re quick, fun, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re prepping for a cookie exchange, wrapping up edible gifts, or just baking for fun, these bars deliver big flavor with little effort. Plus, they’re easily adaptable to fit any dietary preference.
Don’t miss our Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake Recipe if you’re craving more warm holiday comfort bakes!

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Simplicity and Convenience for Busy Holiday Bakers