There’s something truly magical about a dessert that combines rich chocolate with festive colors and textures. This Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe brings all that together in one irresistible treat — layers of fudgy brownie, melty chocolate chips, sweet coconut, and colorful holiday M&Ms, all wrapped up in a gooey, sweet topping. Trust me, once you try these bars, they’ll become your go-to holiday dessert!

The image shows a stack of three thick, square-shaped brownies on a white marbled surface. Each brownie has two layers: the bottom layer is a dark brown, smooth and dense chocolate base, while the top layer is lighter with a mixture of red, green, and white candy pieces scattered evenly, adding a rough texture and colorful look. There are extra green and red candy pieces spread around the base of the stack. The top layer looks slightly melted around the candies, with a mix of colors blending subtly in places. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe a few years ago when I wanted a showstopping dessert for a holiday party. Not only did it vanish within minutes, but people kept asking for the recipe! The combination of chewy brownie, smooth chocolate, crunchy nuts, and those festive M&Ms makes every bite feel like a celebration.

Layered Texture: Multiple layers—from fudgy to crunchy—create a delightful contrast that keeps you coming back for more.
Festive Flare: Holiday-themed M&Ms and sprinkles add a pop of color perfect for seasonal gatherings.
Simple to Make: Despite its impressive look and flavor, this recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require fancy ingredients.
Perfect for Gifting: Cut into bars and wrapped individually, these make a wonderful homemade gift during the holidays.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe plays a key role in delivering rich flavor and festive texture. When you combine basic pantry staples with holiday touches like M&Ms and sprinkles, you get something truly special. Here’s why these ingredients work so well together:

Flat lay of a small mound of shiny semi-sweet chocolate chips, a stick of salted butter with a smooth surface, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, two large brown eggs with clean shells, one additional large egg yolk in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a small pile of whole mixed nuts including walnuts and pecans, a small white bowl containing bright mini holiday M&M candies in red, green, and white, a separate small white bowl with regular sized holiday M&Ms in festive colors, a small white bowl of shiny semi-sweet chocolate chips, a neat pile of sweetened flaked coconut, a small white bowl filled with glossy sweetened condensed milk, and a small white bowl with colorful holiday sprinkles — all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adds richness and melts beautifully to form a fudgy brownie base and gooey topping.
Salted butter: Enhances flavor and keeps the brownie moist with a subtle salty balance.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter while helping create that tender crumb.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide structure without making the bars cakey.
All-purpose flour: Forms the foundation of the brownie layer with the right density.
Vanilla extract: Deepens the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
Nuts: Optional, but add a lovely crunch and complement the chocolate.
Holiday M&Ms (mini and regular): Bring bursts of color and a fun texture contrast that screams festive!
Sweetened flaked coconut: Introduces a chewy, tropical element that pairs beautifully with the chocolate and nuts.
Sweetened condensed milk: Creates the luscious top layer that binds the toppings and adds gooey sweetness.
Holiday sprinkles: A colorful finishing touch that makes the bars look party-ready.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love swapping nuts based on who I’m baking for; sometimes toasted pecans or walnuts shine here. If you prefer extra indulgence, sprinkle some white chocolate chips between layers too. And don’t hesitate to use your favorite holiday-colored candies — they make the bars truly customizable and fun.

Nut-Free Variation: I’ve made these without nuts and found they’re still fantastic — perfect for classrooms or nut-sensitive guests.
Extra Chocolate: Once I doubled the chocolate chip topping for a richer finish, which made the bars ooze with chocolatey goodness.
Spiced Twist: Adding a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to the brownie batter adds a warm holiday vibe that’s delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe

The image shows a grid of square dessert bars laid close together on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two clear layers: a dark brown, dense base that looks soft and moist, and a thick white layer on top that is covered with bright red and green round candies, small chocolate pieces, and red, green, and white sprinkles that add a festive look. The top layer is colorful and textured, with the candies scattered unevenly but filling each square well. Some of the candies are broken or partially embedded, adding more texture to the surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate and Butter

Start by placing the semi-sweet chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir well, then continue microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and luscious. Smooth chocolate makes all the difference — don’t rush this part, or you might have lumps!

Step 2: Mix in Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla

Next, beat in the sugar followed by the vanilla and eggs (including the extra egg yolk). This combination keeps the brownies super fudgy. Ensure it’s all well combined but don’t overmix, or your brownies can get dense.

Step 3: Add Flour and Bake the Brownie Base

Gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Pour the batter into your prepared 9-inch pan lined with foil or parchment for easy removal. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. The top will still jiggle slightly—this is perfect since you’ll be adding toppings next.

Step 4: Layer the Toppings

Once out of the oven, layer half the nuts, half the chocolate chips, half the mini M&Ms, then spread the coconut evenly. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over those layers—this binds everything together beautifully. Finish with remaining chocolate chips, M&Ms, and a generous sprinkle of holiday sprinkles.

Step 5: Final Bake and Cool

Bake for another 25 minutes. Keep a foil tent handy if the top browns too quickly — I learned this the hard way when my sprinkles started melting! Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing so they set well and cut clean.

Top Tip

From my experience making these Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe over several holidays, a few small insights can really make your results shine.

Layer Evenly: Spread your toppings evenly — this ensures every bite has a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Timing Is Key: Don’t overbake the first brownie layer; it should jiggle slightly for that fudgy foundation.
Cool Completely: Cutting bars while warm can cause them to crumble; patience pays off.
Foil Tent: Cover the bars loosely if they’re browning too fast during the final bake to keep that vibrant topping.

How to Serve Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe

Christmas Brownie Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving—it adds a snow-dusted look that’s just irresistible. Sometimes I toss on a few extra holiday sprinkles for sparkle. Fresh mint leaves can give a pop of green and a refreshing lift too.

Side Dishes

These bars pair beautifully with a simple cup of coffee or a creamy hot cocoa — perfect for cozy winter afternoons. For parties, I sometimes place them alongside peppermint bark or sugar cookies to round out the festive spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I cut the bars into bite-sized squares, then stack them with parchment paper layers inside a decorated tin. At parties, serving them on a tiered dessert stand gives a real “wow” factor. Wrapping individual bars in cellophane tied with red and green ribbons is also a crowd-pleaser.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This recipe holds up well without becoming dry or stale, which is great when you want to prepare ahead for holiday gatherings.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these bars, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture.

Reheating

To enjoy leftovers warm, I microwave a single bar for about 15 seconds — just enough to soften the chocolate without melting the candy toppings completely. You can also enjoy them cold, which I personally love for that firmer texture and flavorful contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of candy instead of M&Ms?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap the holiday M&Ms for any festive candy you like, such as Reese's Pieces or crushed peppermint sticks. Just keep in mind texture and melting properties to avoid a messy top layer.

What’s the best way to cut these bars cleanly?

The key is to cool the bars completely before cutting and use a sharp knife. Wiping the knife clean between cuts helps achieve neat squares without crumbly edges.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be sure your blend includes xanthan gum for best texture.

Why do the brownies jiggle when partially baked?

It's normal for the brownie layer to be slightly underbaked and jiggly after the first bake because the toppings are added afterward. The final bake sets everything perfectly without drying out the base.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Brownie Layer Bars Recipe has quickly become one of my holiday baking stars. Each festive layer tells a story of joyful textures and sweet memories. When you make these, you'll find they’re not only a treat for the taste buds but also a reminder of why homemade desserts feel so special during the holidays. Give them a try—you won't be disappointed, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!