If you’re searching for the ultimate way to sweeten your holiday season, Christmas Cookie Bars are pure magic—soft, chewy, loaded with festively colored M&M’s, melty swirls of chocolate, and a sparkly dusting of sprinkles. They’re everything you love about fresh-baked cookies, baked as a slab and sliced into rich, colorful squares perfect for sharing. Whether you’re building a dessert platter, heading to a cookie swap, or just having a cozy night in, these bars absolutely deliver big holiday cheer with minimal fuss.

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe comes together with pantry staples, but each ingredient plays a crucial role—you’ll find rich butter for tenderness, sugars for soft cookie bliss, and a trio of festive add-ins that make every bite pop with color and flavor. Let’s break it all down so you can be sure you’ve got everything you need for the most irresistible Christmas Cookie Bars.

Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): This is the foundation of a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture—make sure it’s room temperature for even mixing.
Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and just the right amount of crisp at the edges.
Light brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Brings a lovely hint of caramel flavor and extra chewiness.
Large eggs (2): Provide richness, structure, and help bind all those goodies together.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): For that dreamy, classic cookie aroma and flavor—don’t skip it!
All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The backbone of the bars, creating a sturdy-yet-tender bite.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Gives your bars just enough lift to stay soft without getting cakey.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brings out all the best flavors and keeps things balanced.
Red and green holiday M&M’s (1 cup): These colorful candies shout “Christmas!” and add crunch and fun to every square.
White chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Creamy and sweet, these melt into dreamy pockets in every bite.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1/2 cup): The classic cookie addition—surprise puddles of rich chocolate in every bar.
Festive sprinkles (1/4 cup): A must for sparkle and extra holiday magic. Mix and match shapes and colors for your own festive touch.

How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper—this keeps your Christmas Cookie Bars from sticking and makes it much easier to lift them out and slice perfectly later.

Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together your softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy, pale, and smells like heaven. This step creates little air pockets that will give your bars that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Splash in the vanilla extract and mix until smooth—your kitchen is going to start smelling very close to Christmas right about now.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This keeps the leavening agent distributed evenly throughout your dough so each bar bakes up just right.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined—stop when you don’t see any more streaks of flour. Overmixing can make your bars tougher, so be gentle for soft and chewy results.

Step 6: Fold in the Fun

Use a spatula to fold in the holiday M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, distributing them as evenly as possible. Each spoonful should look like a Christmas explosion of color and chocolate!

Step 7: Pan and Decorate

Spread the dough evenly into your prepared 9×13-inch pan. Smooth the top, then sprinkle the festive sprinkles all over the surface, pressing them in slightly so they stick during baking. This final flourish is what makes Christmas Cookie Bars so inviting.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center has set (it shouldn’t jiggle when you gently shake the pan). Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and slicing into squares—patience pays off in clean, beautiful bars!

How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars

Garnishes

For a festive finish, dust the cooled bars with a light drizzle of melted white chocolate, scatter extra sprinkles, or even add a few more whole holiday M&M’s on top. Edible glitter or a sprinkle of powdered sugar adds even more sparkle to your Christmas Cookie Bars, turning them into a centerpiece-worthy treat.

Side Dishes

Pair these bars with mugs of hot cocoa, warm apple cider, or spicy chai lattes for an instant holiday party. A scoop of vanilla or peppermint ice cream on the side kicks up the decadence, and serving alongside a big bowl of mixed berries will keep things balanced and vibrant.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your bars in festive tins for gifting, or arrange on a holiday platter lined with parchment and greenery for a dessert table wow-factor. For parties, cut the bars into tiny squares and serve them on skewers or in mini cupcake wrappers—Christmas Cookie Bars are irresistible in any size!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy, making them perfect for snacking all week—if they even last that long!

Freezing

Christmas Cookie Bars freeze beautifully. Stack cooled bars between layers of wax or parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and they’ll taste fresh-baked every time.

Reheating

If you love a warm cookie bar, simply pop one in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. The chocolate gets gooey again and the bar becomes irresistibly soft—like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use different types of chocolate or candy?

Absolutely! Try dark chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even chopped peppermint bark for a new twist. Swapping in different colored M&M’s makes these bars perfect for any occasion, not just Christmas.

Why did my Christmas Cookie Bars come out dry?

Overbaking is the most common cause. Start checking the bars at 25 minutes and pull them out when just set—the center will continue to cook a bit while cooling for perfect, fudgy bars.

Can I halve the recipe?

Yes! For a smaller batch, cut all ingredients in half and use an 8×8-inch pan. The baking time may be slightly less, so keep an eye on the edges and test for doneness a little early.

Are Christmas Cookie Bars gluten free?

This version is not, but you can easily substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just ensure it contains xanthan gum or another binding agent for the best texture.

How do I make the bars extra festive?

Have fun with toppings! Extra sprinkles, a drizzle of colored white chocolate, crushed peppermint, or even tiny edible gold stars will make your batch of Christmas Cookie Bars the highlight of the dessert spread.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Cookie Bars are the kind of sweet that make the holiday season feel extra merry and bright. Go ahead and bake up a pan—they come together quickly, taste irresistible, and bring plenty of sparkle to any gathering. I hope these become your new festive favorite, shared with everyone you love!