If you’re looking for a festive, simple, and irresistibly delicious treat to wow your friends and family this season, look no further than this Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars bring together all the joy of holiday colors and flavors with the ease of using a cake mix, creating a soft, chewy delight loaded with chocolate chips and sprinkles. Perfect for potlucks, cookie exchanges, or a cozy night in, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a spectacular, flavor-packed holiday indulgence that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward yet each one plays a vital role in making these cookie bars a holiday hit. From the cake mix that forms the light and tender base, to the colorful chocolate chips and sprinkles that bring festive joy, everything works beautifully together.
- Yellow or vanilla cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): The essential base that provides structure, sweetness, and a soft crumb.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, melted): Adds richness and helps keep the bars moist and tender.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients together while adding a little extra lift.
- Holiday-colored chocolate chips or M&Ms (1 cup): Infuse festive color and bursts of chocolatey fun in every bite.
- White chocolate chips (1/2 cup, optional): Offer a creamy contrast that balances the holiday mix-ins perfectly.
- Holiday sprinkles (1/3 cup): Give those bars a cheerful crunch and seasonal sparkle that can’t be missed.
How to Make Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your pan and oven will be perfectly ready to bake the bars evenly. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well to prevent any sticky situations later on—this little prep step makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your bars looking pristine.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, combine the yellow or vanilla cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. Stir everything together until well incorporated. You’ll notice the dough is quite thick—that’s exactly what you want! This thick consistency is what helps these bars hold together while baking.
Step 3: Fold in the Festive Goodies
Next, gently fold in those holiday-colored chocolate chips or M&Ms, white chocolate chips if you’re using them, and the holiday sprinkles. This is where the magic really begins: colorful candies and sprinkles promise each bite is full of celebration and fun.
Step 4: Spread the Dough
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. You want an even layer so the bars bake uniformly and the texture remains just right — chewy in the center with slightly crisp edges.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Bake your cookie bars for 20 to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on them so the edges turn a gorgeous golden color and the center sets without drying out. This timing ensures they’re perfectly baked and irresistibly soft inside.
Step 6: Cool and Cut
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Patience here means cleaner cuts and bars that hold their shape beautifully when served.
How to Serve Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra holiday sprinkles or mini chocolate chips on top before serving for an added festive touch. You can also drizzle some melted white or dark chocolate on top for a decadent finish that will wow your guests.
Side Dishes
These bars go wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea, a rich hot chocolate, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert spread. The creamy, comforting sides balance the melt-in-your-mouth cookie bars beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these bars on a holiday-themed platter lined with festive napkins, or stack them in a mason jar gift for a charming homemade present. You can also cut them into bite-sized squares and serve them as part of a dessert buffet or party platter for easy snacking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days, making them an excellent make-ahead treat for busy holiday weeks.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe bars longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months, so you can enjoy the festive flavors well beyond the holiday season.
Reheating
To enjoy the bars warm, simply microwave a slice for about 10-15 seconds or heat in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5-7 minutes. The warmth brings out the gooey chocolate and buttery aroma that makes these bars so comforting.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow or vanilla cake mix works best for that classic holiday flavor, you can experiment with other flavors like butter or even spice cake to match your taste preferences.
What if I don’t have holiday-colored chocolate chips?
No worries! Regular chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or chopped holiday candies will work just fine. You can also use colorful sprinkles alone for a festive vibe.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free vanilla or yellow cake mix to make these bars safe for gluten-sensitive friends and family. Just double-check the mix-ins for gluten ingredients as well.
Why do I need to let the bars cool completely before cutting?
Cooling allows the bars to set fully, so they hold their shape and don’t crumble when you slice them. Cutting too soon might cause them to fall apart.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even dried fruit would add wonderful texture and flavor. Just fold them in with the chocolate chips and sprinkles for a personalized twist.
Final Thoughts
This Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe is a total game-changer when it comes to quick, festive baking that tastes like it took hours. The combination of simple pantry ingredients with colorful holiday mix-ins creates something truly special and unforgettable. From easy prep to sweet, chewy perfection, I promise you’ll find yourself making these bars year after year. Give them a try—you’re going to love how effortlessly delicious and joyful they are.
Print
Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a festive and delicious treat that’s quick to prepare. Made with a yellow or vanilla cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and colorful holiday-themed chocolate chips and sprinkles, these bars are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a cheerful dessert. They bake up moist and soft with delightful bursts of chocolate and a fun sprinkle crunch.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or vanilla cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Mix-ins
- 1 cup holiday-colored chocolate chips or M&Ms
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/3 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow or vanilla cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and eggs. Stir until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and the dough forms a thick consistency.
- Add Mix-ins: Gently fold in the holiday-colored chocolate chips or M&Ms, white chocolate chips if using, and holiday sprinkles to evenly distribute the festive flavors and colors throughout the dough.
- Press into Pan: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to press it down gently and create a uniform layer.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center looks set. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars moist.
- Cool & Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to firm up. Once cooled, lift out of the pan and cut into 20 bars for serving.
Notes
- You can substitute holiday-colored chocolate chips with M&Ms or any other festive candy-coated chocolates.
- Using parchment paper makes it easy to lift the whole slab out of the pan for neat cutting.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free cake mix.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Add nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture if desired.
