Name: Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (100g) brown sugar; 1 cup (180g) red and green chocolate candies (like M&Ms); ½ cup (90g) white chocolate chips; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ¼ cup (40g) holiday sprinkles

Sweet memories often emerge from my grandmother’s magical Christmas cookie bars that always drew cousins from miles around.

Nostalgic aromas would drift through her cozy kitchen, creating anticipation for something extraordinary.

Buttery layers and delicate spices promise a delightful experience that connects generations.

Soft edges and crisp centers hint at the perfect balance of textures waiting to surprise you.

Childhood comfort meets festive cheer in this simple yet remarkable treat.

Memories baked into every square invite you to create your own delicious traditions.

Warm ovens and cheerful spirits await your baking adventure.

Craft Festive Flavors: Transform your holiday baking with these colorful Christmas cookie bars packed with red and green candies and white chocolate chips that bring instant cheer to any gathering.
Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for busy holiday schedules, these bars require minimal preparation and can feed a large group, making them ideal for potlucks, family parties, and seasonal celebrations.
Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows creative bakers to swap sprinkles, adjust chocolate types, or add personal touches while maintaining a foolproof base that guarantees delicious results every single time.
Kid-Friendly Baking: Simple mixing steps and fun decorative elements like holiday sprinkles make this recipe an excellent activity for children to participate in, creating sweet memories alongside delectable treats.

Main Ingredients:

Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides a delicious flavor and tender texture to the cookie bars.
Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredients that contribute to the bars' sweetness and help create a soft, chewy texture.
Eggs: Binding agents that help hold the cookie bars together and provide structure.
All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the cookie bars.

Mix-In Ingredients:

Red and Green Chocolate Candies, White Chocolate Chips: Festive add-ins that bring color, extra sweetness, and a fun holiday touch to the bars.
Holiday Sprinkles: Decorative elements that add a cheerful and celebratory look to the Christmas cookie bars.

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents that help the cookie bars rise and become light and fluffy.
Salt, Vanilla Extract: Flavor enhancers that balance the sweetness and add depth to the overall taste of the bars.

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch pan and give it a quick spray with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for super easy bar removal.

Step 2: Whip Up Butter Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together:

Softened butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar

Whip these ingredients until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like texture. This should take around 3-4 minutes on medium speed.

Step 3: Incorporate Egg Magic

Drop in eggs one by one, making sure each gets fully mixed before adding the next. Pour in vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything looks perfectly combined.

Step 4: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt

Slowly add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t go crazy with mixing!

Step 5: Add Festive Goodies

Fold in your colorful mix-ins:

Red holiday candies
Green holiday candies
White chocolate chips
Half of the holiday sprinkles

Gently distribute these throughout the dough for maximum deliciousness.

Step 6: Spread The Love

Transfer the dough into your prepared pan.

Press it down evenly and sprinkle remaining holiday sprinkles on top for extra cheer.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

You’ll know they’re done when edges turn golden brown and the center looks set. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool And Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into 24 delightful squares and get ready to enjoy!

Avoid overbaking by checking the bars a few minutes early, ensuring they remain soft and chewy with a delightful tender center.
Reserve some extra holiday sprinkles to add a fresh pop of color right after baking for a more vibrant and festive appearance.
Let butter and eggs sit out for 30 minutes before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly blended dough that results in perfectly textured bars.
Gently fold mix-ins using a spatula to prevent breaking chocolate pieces and ensure even spreading throughout the cookie bars.
Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft texture.

Gluten-Free Holiday Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
Vegan Christmas Treat: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and select dairy-free chocolate chips for plant-based version.
Nutty Winter Bars: Incorporate chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts into dough for added crunch and rich flavor profile.
Low-Sugar Option: Substitute half the sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce overall sugar content while maintaining sweet taste.

Enjoy a chilled glass of creamy whole milk alongside these Christmas cookie bars for a classic, nostalgic combination that highlights the sweet, buttery flavors.

Brew a warm mug of cinnamon or ginger-spiced tea to complement the rich, festive notes of the chocolate and sprinkle-filled bars, creating a cozy winter treat experience.

Serve a mug of rich hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, which beautifully enhances the chocolate chips and candies in the cookie bars, bringing out their decadent holiday essence.

Pair with a smooth vanilla latte to add a sophisticated coffee undertone that balances the sweetness of the Christmas cookie bars and provides a warm, comforting contrast.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
Warm individual bars on a microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and bring out the chocolate's gooey texture. Check temperature to avoid overheating.
Warm bars in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore their original crisp edges and soft center without drying out the cookies.

FAQs

Can I use different types of candies?

Yes, you can substitute the red and green chocolate candies with your favorite holiday-themed candies or chocolate chips for a personalized touch.

How do I know if I'm overmixing the dough?

Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense cookie bars instead of soft and chewy ones.

What if I don't have holiday sprinkles?

Regular sprinkles work just fine. The goal is to add a festive and colorful element to your Christmas cookie bars.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before baking.

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.

Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.