Christmas Cookie Bars – The Ultimate Festive Treat

Christmas is the season of joy, warmth, and of course — sweet treats! Nothing says holiday cheer like a fresh batch of cookies, but if you’re short on time, Christmas Cookie Bars are the perfect alternative. These bars combine everything you love about classic Christmas cookies — buttery dough, melty chocolate, and festive sprinkles — all baked into one easy, sliceable dessert. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or gifting, these cookie bars will quickly become a holiday staple in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is all about convenience without compromise. You get the same chewy, flavorful bite as traditional cookies, but without the hassle of rolling and cutting dough. Just mix, press into a pan, and bake! Plus, it’s easy to customize with different add-ins like M&Ms, candy canes, or nuts. These bars are festive, colorful, and loved by both kids and adults alike.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)

It’s the holidays, and treats are meant to be enjoyed guilt-free! Still, it helps to know what’s in your dessert. Here’s a breakdown of the average nutrition per serving, so you can indulge mindfully while savoring each bite.

Calories: 250
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 12g
Sugar: 22g
Fiber: 1g

(Values vary depending on ingredients and serving size.)

Time Breakdown

Holiday baking doesn’t have to take hours. This recipe comes together quickly, with just a few minutes of mixing, under half an hour of baking, and minimal cooling time before you can slice and serve. Perfect for last-minute gatherings or spontaneous sweet cravings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every festive bite starts with simple pantry staples like butter, sugar, and flour. Add in holiday touches like M&Ms, sprinkles, and chocolate chips, and you have a dessert that looks as good as it tastes. These ingredients are easy to find and budget-friendly.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup red and green M&Ms
½ cup holiday sprinkles
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Condensed Grocery Checklist

To make shopping a breeze, here’s a short and sweet list of what you’ll need. With this handy checklist, you can walk into the store and grab everything in minutes — no stress, no confusion, just straight to the fun part: baking.

Butter
Brown sugar
White sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Flour
Baking soda
Salt
M&Ms
Sprinkles
Chocolate chips

How to Make – Step by Step

Making Christmas Cookie Bars is as easy as mix, press, and bake. Each step is simple and beginner-friendly, making this a recipe kids can help with too. The process is straightforward but still delivers bakery-quality results.

Prepare the Pan – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Cream Butter & Sugar – In a large bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in eggs and vanilla until smooth.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients – Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
Fold in Mix-Ins – Gently fold in M&Ms, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.
Press & Bake – Spread the dough evenly into the pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool & Slice – Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares or rectangles.

Ingredient Swaps & Variations

One of the best parts about this recipe is how customizable it is. Want a peppermint kick? Add crushed candy canes. Prefer a nutty crunch? Mix in walnuts. These bars are a blank canvas for holiday creativity, so feel free to make them your own.

Use crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist.
Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate or butterscotch chips.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
Drizzle with melted chocolate after baking for an elegant finish.

Serving Suggestions

Presentation is everything during the holidays, and these bars are as versatile as they are delicious. They can be served as part of a cookie platter, paired with hot drinks, or wrapped up as edible gifts. However you serve them, they’ll be a hit.

Serve on a festive platter alongside Almond Snowball Cookies or Christmas Spritz Cookies for a beautiful dessert spread.
Pair with a warm drink like Disneyland Hot Chocolate for a cozy winter treat.
Package in small boxes or bags as edible holiday gifts for friends and neighbors.

Storing Tips

The beauty of Christmas Cookie Bars is that they stay fresh for days, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert. With proper storage, you can keep them soft, chewy, and festive whether you’re preparing for a party or saving leftovers for later.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Refrigerate for up to a week if you want extra freshness.
Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even easy recipes have a few pitfalls to watch out for. Overbaking, uneven spreading, or slicing too soon can take away from that perfect chewy texture. With a little care, you’ll avoid these mistakes and get picture-perfect bars every time.

Overbaking: These bars should be slightly soft in the center; they’ll firm up as they cool.
Uneven spreading: Make sure to spread dough evenly in the pan for consistent thickness.
Cutting too soon: Wait until bars are fully cooled before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Chef’s Special Tips

Want to take your bars from simple to spectacular? A few small tricks, like pressing extra M&Ms on top or lining your pan with parchment, can make a big difference. These insider tips will help you bake like a pro without the extra effort.

Line your pan with parchment paper to make lifting and slicing easier.
For an extra festive look, press a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles on top before baking.
Warm bars slightly before serving for that gooey, fresh-from-the-oven feel.

Conclusion

Christmas Cookie Bars are the ultimate solution for busy holiday bakers who still want a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert. They’re colorful, chewy, and full of holiday magic — without the time-consuming steps of traditional cookies. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a cookie platter, or looking for a quick gift idea, these bars will bring joy (and deliciousness) to every occasion.