Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Cookie Bars combine festive flavors and colors into a delicious, easy-to-make treat. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet gift, they offer the charm of classic cookies in a convenient bar form.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
• 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then mix again until smooth and well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
5. Step 5: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix.
6. Step 6: Fold in the Christmas M&Ms and jimmies sprinkles.
7. Step 7: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set.
8. Step 8: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment paper and cut into squares.

Tips & Variations

• For extra chewiness, substitute half of the brown sugar with white sugar.
• You can swap Christmas M&Ms for plain or peanut M&Ms if desired.
• Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a soft, freshly baked feel.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of Christmas M&Ms?

Yes, regular chocolate chips or other festive-colored candies can be used as a substitute without affecting the texture.

How can I make these cookie bars dairy-free?

Use a dairy-free butter substitute in place of unsalted butter and ensure your M&Ms and sprinkles are dairy-free versions.

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 105 reviews

These festive Christmas Cookie Bars are a delightful holiday treat featuring a soft, buttery base packed with colorful Christmas M&Ms and jimmies sprinkles. Perfect for sharing at holiday parties or as a cheerful seasonal dessert, these bars are easy to prepare and bake in one pan, delivering cheerful flavor and texture in every bite.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Bar Base

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Festive Add-Ins

• 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
• 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easy after baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This ensures a tender and flavorful base.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract. Continue mixing until all wet ingredients are fully combined and the batter is smooth.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. This evenly distributes the leavening agent and seasoning.
5. Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir just until the dough comes together — avoid overmixing to keep the bars soft and tender.
6. Fold in Festive Add-Ins: Gently fold in the Christmas M&Ms and jimmies sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
7. Press and Bake: Evenly press the dough into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the center looks set but still soft.
8. Cool and Slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out, then slice into squares for serving.

Notes

• Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookie bars.
• Make sure to cool the bars completely before slicing to keep them intact and prevent crumbling.
• You can substitute the Christmas M&Ms with other holiday-themed candies or chocolate chips if preferred.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
• Line the pan with parchment paper extending over the edges to easily lift out the entire slab after baking.

Keywords: Christmas cookie bars, holiday dessert, festive cookie bars, Christmas M&M cookies, holiday baking