Christmas Cookie Bars

Introduction

What if you could enjoy all the flavors of classic Christmas cookies without rolling, cutting, or decorating dozens of individual cookies? That’s exactly what you get with these Christmas Cookie Bars.

Holiday baking is all about creating treats that bring people together, and these bars do just that—simple to make, easy to share, and full of festive flair. Did you know that during the holiday season, searches for “Christmas cookie recipes” spike by over 400% worldwide? Cookie bars offer the same cozy flavors in a fraction of the time, making them a go-to for busy bakers.

This recipe delivers buttery soft cookie bars loaded with chocolate chips, holiday sprinkles, and festive cheer. Best of all, they bake in just one pan—no mess, no fuss.

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Ingredients List

For the Cookie Bar Base:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

Festive Mix-ins:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips)
• ½ cup red and green M&Ms
• ¼ cup holiday sprinkles

Optional Substitutions:

• Swap butter with coconut oil for dairy-free.
• Replace M&Ms with chopped peppermint bark for a minty twist.
• Add walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.

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Timing

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 25 minutes
• Cooling Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes

Compared to traditional Christmas cookies that can take over 90 minutes (including chilling and decorating), these Christmas Cookie Bars save nearly 50% of the time.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

• Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease. This makes removal and slicing easy.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

• In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
• Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 4: Fold in Mix-ins

• Gently stir in chocolate chips, M&Ms, and sprinkles. Save a few for sprinkling on top.

Step 5: Bake

• Spread dough evenly into prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle remaining mix-ins over the top for a festive finish.
• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–25 minutes, or until edges are golden and center is set.

Step 6: Cool & Slice

• Let bars cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
• Lift parchment, transfer to cutting board, and slice into squares or festive shapes.

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Tips for Success

• Don’t overbake: Bars continue baking in the pan after removal. Pull them when the center looks slightly underdone.
• Customize colors: Use pastel sprinkles for Easter or red and pink for Valentine’s Day.
• Perfect texture: Melted butter gives extra chewy bars, while softened butter gives cakier bars. Choose based on preference.

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Nutrition (per bar, based on 24 servings)

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 2g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fat: 10g
• Sugar: 18g
• Fiber: 1g

These bars are indulgent but portion-controlled—perfect for holiday gatherings.

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Healthier Alternatives

• Lower Sugar: Use monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar.
• Whole Grain: Replace half the all-purpose flour with oat flour for added fiber.
• Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.

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Serving Suggestions

• Arrange on a holiday platter with hot cocoa or mulled wine.
• Wrap bars individually in festive bags for homemade holiday gifts.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a Christmas cookie sundae.
• Crumble bars into parfait glasses with whipped cream for a creative dessert.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the batter: Leads to tough, dense bars.
• Skipping parchment paper: Makes removal and cutting messy.
• Too many mix-ins: Can prevent bars from baking evenly.
• Overbaking: Results in dry, crumbly bars instead of chewy ones.

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Storing Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in airtight container up to 5 days.
• Refrigerator: Extend freshness up to 7 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Make Ahead: Prepare dough, cover, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours before baking.

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Conclusion

These Christmas Cookie Bars are the ultimate festive dessert—soft, chewy, colorful, and incredibly easy to make. Perfect for parties, gift-giving, or cozy nights at home, they save you time without sacrificing holiday spirit.

👉 Try them this holiday season, share your results in the comments, and subscribe for more easy, festive dessert recipes!

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FAQs

Q1: Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply bake in a larger pan or two 9×13 pans.

Q2: Can I freeze baked bars?
Absolutely! Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months.

Q3: Can I make these ahead?
Yes, the dough can be prepared 48 hours in advance and refrigerated.

Q4: Do they stay soft after storing?
Yes, store with a slice of bread in the container to retain moisture.

Q5: Can I replace M&Ms with another candy?
Yes, chopped candy canes, peppermint bark, or Reese’s Pieces work beautifully.