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 (13x18 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.

Christmas Cookie Bars – The Best Easy Holiday Treat (2025)

Christmas Cookie Bars

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Soft, chewy and festive, these Christmas Cookie Bars are packed with chocolate chips, red and green M&M’s, and white chocolate for the perfect easy holiday dessert.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 to 24 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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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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Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together brown sugar, granulated sugar, and softened butter for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla, then beat until smooth.
Mix in baking soda and salt.
Gradually add in flour and mix until just combined.
Stir in chocolate chips and ½ cup of the M&M’s.
Spread dough evenly in the prepared pan.
Top with remaining ½ cup M&M’s and white chocolate chips.
Bake for 26–30 minutes until golden brown.
Cool completely before slicing into bars and serving.

Notes

Add white chocolate chips during the last 10 minutes of baking to keep them bright white.
Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Use a sharp knife or bench scraper for clean cuts after cooling.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 240
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 160mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 31g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Find it online: https://recipeshots.com/christmas-cookie-bars-dessert-recipe/