Christmas Bar Cookies

The holiday season has a way of pulling us back into the kitchen, where the smell of butter, sugar, and vanilla fills the air. In my home, nothing says Christmas quite like a fresh pan of Christmas Bar Cookies. They’re soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips, festive M&M’s, and sprinkles that sparkle like twinkling lights on the tree. These bars are the kind of treat you can whip up in under 30 minutes, yet they’ll look like you’ve been working all day.

For me, these cookies are more than just a recipe. They’re little squares of comfort I can pass around at cookie swaps, holiday gatherings, or even tuck into a festive tin for neighbors. When I see my kids sneaking in to grab “just one more,” I know I’ve struck gold.

So grab your apron, because we’re about to make Christmas magic in a pan.

Christmas Bar Cookies

Soft, chewy, and festive bar cookies packed with chocolate chips, red-and-green M&M’s, and colorful sprinkles. A quick and easy holiday treat ready in under 30 minutes!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Holiday Treats, Snack

Cuisine American, Christmas Recipes

Servings 9 bars

Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup red and green M&M’s
• ¼ cup Christmas jimmies plus extra for topping (optional)

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
• In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
• Add the egg and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined.
• Stir in the flour and salt just until moistened. Do not overmix.
• Fold in chocolate chips, M&M’s, and sprinkles. Batter will be thick.
• Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Top with extra M&M’s if desired.
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Place pan on a wire rack and immediately add more sprinkles if desired. Cool completely in the pan.
• Once cooled, lift bars out using parchment and slice into 9 or 12 squares.

Notes

To make ahead, bake and cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 2 months wrapped individually. For gluten-free or egg-free options, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour or a flax egg (1 Tbsp ground flax + 3 Tbsp water). Double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan and increase bake time to 25–28 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 90mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 20gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.8mg

Keyword Chewy Holiday Bars, Christmas Bar Cookies, Christmas Recipes, Easy Christmas Desserts, Festive Cookie Squares, Holiday Cookie Bars

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Why You’ll Love These Christmas Bar Cookies

1. Quick and Fuss-Free

You don’t need a dozen mixing bowls or fancy equipment here. Just one bowl, a whisk, and 30 minutes—perfect for busy holiday evenings.

2. Chewy and Buttery Texture

These bars bake up with golden, crispy edges and a soft, chewy center. The combination of brown sugar and melted butter ensures that signature cookie-bar chew we all crave.

3. Bursting with Festive Flavors

Every bite is filled with melty chocolate chips, crunchy red-and-green M&M’s, and colorful sprinkles. They’re basically Christmas cheer baked into squares.

4. Crowd-Pleasers

Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, a holiday movie night, or just want to surprise your family, these bars are always a hit.

Ingredients Breakdown (with Substitutions)

• Unsalted Butter (½ cup, melted): Brings richness and flavor. You can substitute salted butter—just reduce the added salt slightly.
• Light Brown Sugar (½ cup): Adds depth and chewiness. Dark brown sugar works too for a stronger molasses flavor.
• Granulated Sugar (⅓ cup): Balances sweetness and helps with structure.
• Egg (1 large, room temperature): The binder that holds it all together. For an egg-free version, use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water).
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): The backbone of that warm cookie flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): Provides structure. To make them gluten-free, use a 1:1 baking blend.
• Salt (¼ tsp): Balances sweetness.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (½ cup): Swap for white or dark chocolate chips if you prefer.
• Red and Green M&M’s (½ cup): The holiday showstopper! You can substitute with Reese’s Pieces for a peanut-buttery twist.
• Christmas Jimmies (¼ cup): Adds crunch and color. Feel free to swap with crushed candy canes for peppermint flair.
• Optional Topping Sprinkles: More color and crunch after baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush an 8×8-inch baking pan with a little butter, then line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang for easy lifting.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy. Whisk in the egg and vanilla until combined.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Stir in the flour and salt. Mix only until moistened—overmixing will make the bars dense instead of chewy.

Step 4: Fold in the Mix-ins

Gently stir in the chocolate chips, M&M’s, and sprinkles. The batter will be thick and colorful.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle extra M&M’s on top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Place the pan on a wire rack and immediately top with additional sprinkles if desired. Let cool completely in the pan.

Step 7: Cut and Serve

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper. Slice into 9 squares (or 12 for smaller bites).

Variations, Storage, and Serving Ideas

• Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes instead of sprinkles for a minty version.
• Peanut Butter Lovers: Swap half the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips.
• White Christmas Bars: Use white chocolate chips and snowy silver sprinkles.
• Nutty Holiday Bars: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.

You May Also Like

• No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate Orange Cake
• Italian Chocolate Pear Cake
• Candied Almonds
• Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
• Garlic Butter Bread Rolls
• Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Truffles
• Chocolate Orange Truffles
• Christmas Nutella Cupcakes
• Crockpot Candy

Don’t forget to join me on Pinterest for seasonal ideas and on Facebook to share your holiday creations with our cozy baking community.