🎄 Christmas Cookie Bars (Festive Holiday Dessert)
✨ Introduction
Christmas Cookie Bars are the ultimate holiday shortcut dessert—everything you love about classic cookies, baked into one soft, chewy, festive slab. Instead of scooping and baking dozens of individual cookies, this recipe lets you mix, press, bake, and slice. Perfect for busy holiday schedules, cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or cozy nights with hot cocoa, these bars are colorful, rich, and irresistibly joyful.
With buttery dough, melty chocolate chips, crunchy Christmas M&M’s, and cheerful sprinkles, every bite tastes like the holidays themselves.
🧈 Ingredients (Makes 24 Bars)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Christmas M&M’s
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup Christmas sprinkles
🧁 Instructions
- Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. - Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and creamy. - Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until fully combined and smooth. - Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. - Mix Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix. - Fold in the Goodies
Gently fold in ¾ of the M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. - Assemble
Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles on top, gently pressing them into the surface. - Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. - Cool and Slice
Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.
🍪 Baking Methods & Tips
- Soft & Chewy Bars: Slightly underbake and let the bars finish setting as they cool.
- Crispier Edges: Bake closer to 25 minutes and allow edges to brown lightly.
- Pan Size Options:
- 9×13 pan: Thinner, classic cookie bars
- 8×8 pan: Thicker, extra gooey bars (increase bake time slightly)
📜 History & Holiday Tradition
Cookie bars became popular in mid-20th-century American baking as a time-saving alternative to drop cookies. During the holidays, when kitchens are busy and ovens are full, bar cookies became a festive solution—less effort, same indulgence. Adding colorful candies like M&M’s turned them into seasonal showstoppers, especially for Christmas celebrations.
🧩 Formation & Texture
These bars form from a rich creamed-butter dough, giving them:
- A soft, chewy center
- Golden, buttery edges
- Melty chocolate pockets
- Crunchy candy coating on top
The sprinkles add visual joy without overpowering the flavor, making these bars as beautiful as they are delicious.
❤️ Who Will Love These Cookie Bars?
- 🎅 Holiday bakers short on time
- 👨👩👧👦 Families baking together
- 🎁 Gift-givers and cookie exchangers
- 🍫 Chocolate lovers
- 🎄 Anyone craving festive comfort food
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze bars in a sealed bag or container for 2–3 months
- To Thaw: Let sit at room temperature for a quick, satisfying treat
🎉 Conclusion
Christmas Cookie Bars are everything a holiday dessert should be—easy, festive, indulgent, and crowd-pleasing. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, they bring joy to every bite and make holiday baking stress-free. Slice, serve, share, and celebrate the season with this colorful, chocolate-studded classic.
Happy baking and happy holidays! 🎄🍪✨