Christmas Cookie Bars
When the holidays roll around, the air is filled with the sweet smells of baking and laughter. Imagine walking into your kitchen and being wrapped in the warm aromas of buttery cookie goodness, with colorful sprinkles and M&Ms twinkling like holiday lights in every corner. These Christmas Cookie Bars are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, radiating festive cheer with their vibrant colors. Each bite brings the perfect balance of soft, chewy texture and gooey sweetness, creating a little piece of joy that’s perfect for sharing.
Table of Contents
I can still remember the excitement of baking with my family during the holidays, mixing and shaping dough while trying to sneak a few tastes along the way. We’d create a flurry of cookies, each with their own unique stories. Now, I invite you to create your own holiday memories with these easy-to-make Christmas Cookie Bars. They’re sure to steal the show at parties, make perfect gifts, or simply add some sweetness to your holiday gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Whip these up in just about 40 minutes, with minimal prep!
- Irresistible Flavor: Soft, chewy bars filled with gooey chocolatey goodness and a crunch from the M&Ms.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The vibrant colors make these bars festive and fun—perfect for any holiday table.
- Flexible Serving: Great for snack time, a holiday party, or even a special breakfast treat!
- Diet-Friendly Options: Feel free to swap ingredients for gluten-free alternatives or use dairy-free butter!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): For that rich, creamy texture, softened to room temperature for easy mixing. If you need a dairy-free version, try using coconut oil or a plant-based butter.
- 2 cups brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel flavor and moisture to the bars. Light brown sugar is preferred, but dark brown can work too for a stronger molasses taste.
- 2 large eggs: They provide structure and moisture. Make sure they’re at room temperature for smoother mixing.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: A must for that warm, comforting flavor. Use pure vanilla for the best taste, but imitation can work in a pinch.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors. Don’t skip it!
- 1 tsp baking powder: Helps the bars rise while keeping them chewy. Be sure it’s fresh for best results!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of your cookie bars. For a gluten-free option, you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms: These little gems add color and crunch! Use any seasonal candy or chocolate chips if desired.
- 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles: For that extra festive flair! Feel free to switch them out for any fun color sprinkles you love.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars
Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This little step makes it so much simpler to lift the bars out once they’re baked, ensuring you have perfect squares without any mess.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until well incorporated, followed by the vanilla extract. The mixture should be smooth and slightly glossy, with the sweetness of the sugar really coming through!
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder until it’s nicely mixed. This helps distribute the baking powder evenly, ensuring your bars rise perfectly all around. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep that lovely chewy texture.
Fold Together Gently: Now it’s time to add in the fun stuff! Gently fold in the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles. This is where the magic really happens—those little pops of color and sweetness burst through the dough. Once everything is mixed, transfer the dough to your prepared baking pan, and press it down evenly.
Bake Until Golden: Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are golden brown and the center appears set but still soft to the touch. Let the bars fill your kitchen with the most delightful aroma as they bake—there’s nothing quite like it!
Cool and Slice: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven, and let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan. This will take about 30 minutes. Afterward, using the parchment overhang, lift the bars out and slice them into squares. The first cut is always the most satisfying!
Storing & Reheating
Store your Christmas Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can keep them in the fridge for a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds for that freshly baked warmth, but keep in mind that the texture may change slightly after freezing—still delicious though!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Make sure your butter is softened properly; it should yield when pressed but not be melted.
- Avoid overmixing the dough after adding flour. Gently fold until just combined to keep the bars chewy.
- If the edges start to brown too quickly in the oven, cover the pan loosely with foil for the remaining baking time.
- Experiment with different holiday candies or chocolate chips based on your preference.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolatey twist!
- These bars also make for a great make-ahead treat—just freeze them for later enjoyment!
There’s something truly magical about baking during the holiday season, especially when you make treats that spread joy to those around you. With these Christmas Cookie Bars, you not only capture the essence of holiday cheer but also create a delicious and delightful dessert that everyone will love. Whether you’re enjoying them with family or sharing them as gifts, there’s no denying how a simple recipe like this brings warmth and happiness. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to bake—you’re going to want to enjoy these!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use other types of sprinkles or candies?
Absolutely! You can switch out the Christmas M&Ms and jimmies for any seasonal candies or chips you like. Try using peanut butter M&Ms, holiday-themed chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts for a different twist. The options are endless, so feel free to get creative!
What can I do if my cookie bars are too crumbly?
If your bars turn out crumbly, it might be due to overmixing the dry ingredients or not enough wet ingredients. Ensure you measure your ingredients accurately, and for future batches, try adding a teaspoon of milk or extra melted butter to the dough to increase moisture.
Can I make these cookie bars in advance?
Yes! These cookie bars can be made ahead of time and stored either at room temperature for a few days or in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to freeze them, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for maximum freshness, letting them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling is necessary for this recipe! The dough can be baked immediately after mixing. This makes these Christmas Cookie Bars a super quick treat to whip up, perfect for those last-minute holiday baking needs.
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📖 Recipe Card
Christmas Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars blend soft, chewy texture with gooey chocolate and vibrant sprinkles, making them the perfect festive treat for holiday gatherings or gifts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 large 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
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy, then add eggs one at a time and mix in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt, then combine dry ingredients with wet mixture.
- Fold in M&Ms and sprinkles, press dough into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until edges are golden and center is set.
- Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into squares.
Notes
Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version of the bars.
Experiment with various holiday-themed candies for a creative twist.
Avoid overmixing after adding the flour to maintain a chewy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
