Nothing screams cozy holiday cheer quite like a sweet, colorful batch of bars fresh from the oven. This Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe is one of those magic treats that’s gooey, fun, and packed with holiday spirit all wrapped up in every bite. Trust me, these bars turn any afternoon into a celebration.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m honestly obsessed with this recipe—it's a surefire way to brighten up your holiday baking without any fuss. What makes these cookie bars stand out is their perfect gooey texture combined with festive candy sprinkles. They scream Christmas but don’t require hours in the kitchen.
- Easy to Make: You don't need to be a pro baker to nail this one; I love how straightforward the steps are.
- Festive & Colorful: The holiday M&Ms and sprinkles add that perfect pop of color and fun to every bite.
- Gooey & Soft Texture: These bars stay delightfully soft even a day later, if you can resist eating them all at once!
- Great for Gifting: They freeze beautifully, making them ideal for holiday gift boxes or last-minute treats.
Ingredients & Why They Work
I like how each ingredient plays a part in making these cookie bars taste just like a warm hug during the holidays. The butter and brown sugar give that rich, caramel-like gooeyness, while the baking powder provides just enough lift. The Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles are what make them festive and fun—don’t skip those!
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness, which is key for balanced flavor here.
- Brown Sugar: Packs moisture and adds a deep, butterscotch sweetness that keeps the bars so gooey.
- Eggs: The binders that bring everything together and add richness.
- Vanilla Extract: A little vanilla goes a long way in enhancing all those warm holiday flavors.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and elevate the other ingredients.
- Baking Powder: Lightens up the bars just enough so they aren’t dense like regular brownies.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together; I always sift it lightly to avoid lumps.
- Christmas M&Ms: Adds texture, color, and that familiar candy crunch that gives these bars their holiday personality.
- Christmas Sprinkles (Jimmies): I love jimmies because they hold their shape well in the oven and add festive sparkle.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe is how much room there is for your own twist! I often swap the M&Ms for white chocolate chunks or add a handful of chopped nuts for extra crunch. You can also experiment with different sprinkles or even throw in some mini candy canes for a peppermint punch.
- Variation: Last year, I swapped M&Ms for peanut butter chips and the kids loved the nutty twist—definitely worth trying if you want something a little different.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Get the Pan Ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always line my 9x13” metal pan with foil and then spray it really well with cooking spray. Pro tip: don’t use a glass pan here because it affects baking time and texture. The foil also helps you lift the bars cleanly out when they’re done.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Brown Sugar
Using a stand or hand mixer, blend the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture looks crumbly and combined. This step is crucial for getting that luscious gooey texture—don’t rush it.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavor
Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until your batter is smooth. This makes the base rich and silky, so make sure it's well combined before moving on.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients & Candy
Stir in salt and baking powder, then add your all-purpose flour. Fold everything gently until combined, then toss in the festive Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles. The color explosion here always makes me smile.
Step 5: Spread the Dough
The dough is pretty wet, so I spritz my hands with cooking spray before spreading it evenly in the pan. This keeps things from sticking and lets you smooth it out beautifully. Don’t forget to sprinkle a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles on top—it looks fantastic when baked!
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 22-25 minutes until the edges turn golden but the center still looks slightly underbaked. You want to err on the side of underbaked because these bars continue to set as they cool, and you’ll keep that delightfully gooey texture.
Step 7: Slice and Enjoy
Once cooled, lift the foil out and slice into festive bars. Try not to eat them all straight away, but hey—no judgment if you do!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tweaks that make these bars foolproof and extra delicious. Trust me, these pointers will save you from any last-minute baking mishaps.
- Use a Metal Pan: This ensures even baking and gives you that perfect golden crust you want on the edges.
- Spray Your Hands: When smoothing the batter, spritz your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking and get an even, smooth top.
- Don’t Overbake: The bars look a little soft in the center when they come out—that’s exactly right. They firm up as they cool and stay soft and gooey.
- Extra Candy on Top: I always press a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles on top before baking for that festive, colorful look that everyone loves.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or add a dollop of whipped cream alongside to make these bars feel even more special for guests. A dusting of powdered sugar can also work beautifully for that snow-kissed look.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookie bars with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or your favorite holiday coffee blend. They also go surprisingly well with a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream for a festive dessert twist.
Creative Ways to Present
I love wrapping these bars individually in parchment paper tied with a red ribbon for gifting. For parties, arrange them on a festive platter surrounded by candy canes and fresh holly sprigs. It’s a simple touch that makes your treat table sparkle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I find that placing a piece of parchment paper between layers keeps them from sticking together if you stack them.
Freezing
These bars freeze really well—wrap individual slices tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They keep up to a month, which makes holiday prep so much easier when you bake ahead.
Reheating
I like to warm frozen bars in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked gooeyness. Just don’t overheat or they can dry out quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Regular chocolate chips or even white chocolate chunks work beautifully here. The key is to keep the festive sprinkles for that holiday look.
Glass pans bake differently and can cause the edges to overcook before the center sets. A metal pan ensures even heat distribution for the perfect gooey texture throughout.
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. Just make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for structure. The texture may differ slightly but still delicious!
The trick is not to overbake and to use brown sugar, which locks in moisture. Also, trust the timing and remove the bars when they’re just golden on the edges but still soft in the middle—they’ll set as they cool.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe is one that’s close to my heart because it captures everything joyful about holiday baking without any stress. Whether you’re sharing these with family, gifting neighbors, or sneaking a few yourself, these gooey, colorful bars never disappoint. I hope you enjoy making and eating them as much as I do. Go ahead—bake a batch and let the holiday magic begin!
Print
Festive Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars are festive blondies packed with colorful Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles, perfect for the holiday season. They're easy to make, with a soft, chewy texture and a buttery brown sugar base, ideal for sharing with family and friends or gifting during Christmas.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113g)
- 2 cups packed brown sugar (400g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (248g)
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms (or your favorite color)
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (use jimmies for best results)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 inch metal pan with foil and spray well with cooking spray. Avoid using a glass pan for this recipe.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the large eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing until the batter is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the salt and baking powder to the mixture, then gradually mix in the all-purpose flour until just combined.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Stir in the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles evenly throughout the dough.
- Spread Dough in Pan: Spray your hands with cooking spray and spread the wet dough evenly in the prepared pan. Smooth the top with your hands to form an even layer, then sprinkle with any remaining M&Ms and sprinkles on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the bars begin to turn golden around the edges. It's best to err on the side of underbaking since the bars will continue to set as they cool.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan before lifting out using the foil. Slice into 24 bars and serve.
- Storage: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month for longer storage.
Notes
- These bars are essentially holiday-themed blondies, perfect for festive occasions.
- Using jimmies sprinkles ensures the best texture and appearance compared to other sprinkle types.
- Spraying your hands with cooking spray makes spreading the wet dough easier and less sticky.
- Underbaking slightly is key to maintaining a gooey, chewy texture as the bars finish baking while cooling.
- This recipe is freezer-friendly—wrap well to maintain freshness for up to a month.
- Great for gifting during Christmas or enjoying throughout the holiday season.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 205 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 66 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Leave a Reply