The BEST Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

I consider this recipe my ultimate holiday treat vibe. The soft, buttery texture combined with a candy-infused festive flair makes these cookie bars irresistibly appealing. I love how they bring a sweet twist to any celebration, offering a perfect seasonal lift that’s fun, indulgent, and totally stress-free to enjoy.

I love making my BEST Christmas Cookie Bars because they are a family favorite and bring so much holiday cheer. I think this recipe is perfect if you want to bake an easy treat for Christmas cookie baking.

I use melted unsalted butter together with light brown sugar and granulated sugar to create a rich base that gives these bars their chewy texture. I also love adding two large eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla extract, which really helps bind the ingredients together.

The all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt make the perfect blondie foundation. What makes these truly special is the burst of holiday M&Ms and a sprinkle of holiday sprinkles that brighten up the dessert and add extra crunch.

This recipe provides a nice balance of energy from sugars and fats making it a fun option for anyone looking for an easy Christmas snack that also works as a delicious dessert idea for Christmas party food desserts.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love these Christmas Cookie Bars for several reasons. First off, the holiday M&Ms and sprinkles make every bite look so festive and fun—it honestly feels like eating a celebration. Also, the recipe itself is super simple so I can whip it up even on a busy day, which is a big win in my book. I also really enjoy how the bars turn out soft and buttery without being too heavy, kinda a perfect balance of flavors that reminds me of cozy family gatherings. Lastly, because it mixes things like unsalted butter, brown sugar, and eggs, I feel like I’m making something homemade and original every time, which makes the treat even more special to me.

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: melted butter add rich flavor and moisture, giving cookie bars a nice, creamy texture.
• Light Brown Sugar: offers deep sweetness with a hint of molasses, mainly carbs that boost energy.
• Eggs: provides protein that helps bind everything together, making the texture soft and cake-like.
• All-purpose Flour: a solid carbohydrate source that gives structure and body to the final bars.
• Holiday M&Ms: adds a burst of festive sweetness and crunch, making every bite exciting.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temp
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup holiday M&Ms
• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper so the bars don’t stick.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 cup light brown sugar (packed tight), and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until the mix looks smooth.

3. Beat in 2 large eggs at room temp and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until everything is combined.

4. In another bowl, whisk 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined – don’t overmix or the bars might get tough.

6. Fold in 1 cup holiday M&Ms and 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles until they’re evenly spread in the batter.

7. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top out with a spatula so it bakes evenly.

8. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

9. Let the pan cool for around 10 minutes before lifting the bars out using the parchment paper.

10. Once cooled completely, cut into bars and enjoy these delicious, soft Christmas Cookie Bars during your holiday festivities!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. 8×8 inch baking pan
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl for wet ingredients
5. Another bowl for dry ingredients
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Whisk for combining eggs, vanilla and dry ingredients
8. Spatula to smooth the batter in the pan
9. Toothpick for checking if the bars are done

FAQ

• Q: Can i sub some ingredients if i dont have them?
  A: Yeah you can swap the unsalted butter with salted butter just reduce the salt a bit, but for best results stick with what it calls for.
• Q: How should i store these cookie bars?
  A: Keep them in an airtight container at room temp for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze them if you plan on saving them for longer.
• Q: Why do i need room temp eggs?
  A: Room temp eggs help the batter mix more evenly with the other ingredients, making the cookie bars taste better and have a smoother texture.
• Q: What type of pan should i use?
  A: Use a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. Make sure to line it with parchment paper so the bars dont stick to the pan.
• Q: Can i mix up the candies?
  A: Sure! Feel free to experiment with different kinds of holiday candies or even a mix of colors and flavors as per your liking.

The BEST Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can use coconut oil in place of unsalted butter, just keep in mind it might add a slight coconut flavor that not everyone loves.
• If you don’t have light brown sugar, try mixing white sugar with a little bit of molasses to get a similar moist and rich taste.
• You can swap out the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), which works pretty well if you’re aiming for a veg-friendly version.
• If holiday M&M’s aren’t available, chopped up red and green candies or even colorful chocolate chips can work as a fun substitute.

Pro Tips

1. Let your eggs sit until they’re at room temperature before using ’em. This really helps the butter and sugar mix together better and avoids any weird texture issues later on.

2. When you’re mixing in the dry stuff, stir just until you don’t see any flour. Overmixing can make the bars turn out tough, so be careful not to stir too long.

3. Fold in your holiday M&Ms and sprinkles gently so they get spread out evenly. This prevents clumps and keeps every bite fun and colorful.

4. Ovens can vary a bit, so start checking your bars a couple minutes early with a toothpick. A little extra or less time in the oven might be needed depending on your setup.