These Christmas Cookie Bars bring all the cozy holiday charm into one easy pan. They are soft in the center, lightly golden around the edges, and filled with colorful M&Ms and sprinkles that make every slice feel joyful. The brown sugar base gives the bars a warm caramel aroma that drifts through the kitchen as they bake. I love making these during December when I want something festive without spending the evening scooping individual cookies. One bowl, one pan, and holiday magic appears in under an hour.
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I have made these bars many times, and each batch always gets the same reaction: seconds disappear quickly and the pan looks empty before you know it. They slice beautifully, travel well, and make a wonderful addition to any cookie platter. If you need a dessert that looks cheerful and tastes even better, these Christmas Cookie Bars are ready to become a new tradition.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- One bowl batter that comes together in minutes
- Soft centers with lightly chewy edges
- Perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or school treats
- No chilling or scooping
- Bright holiday colors in every bite
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113 g), melted and slightly cooled
- 2 cups packed brown sugar (400 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups all purpose flour (248 g)
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms, plus a small handful for topping
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (jimmies), plus extra for topping
Ingredient Notes
You can use light or dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar gives a deeper toffee-like flavor.
The flour should be spooned and leveled so the bars stay soft rather than dry.
Use jimmies sprinkles because they hold their shape and color through baking.
M&Ms can be any color mix, so you can adapt these bars for other holidays or birthdays.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 inch metal pan with foil and spray it generously with cooking spray. A metal pan helps the bars bake evenly and prevents dry edges.
Step 2: Mix the batter
In a large bowl, stir the melted butter and brown sugar until they come together into a sandy, thick mixture. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth and slightly glossy. Add the salt and baking powder. Stir in the flour just until no dry streaks remain. Fold in most of the M&Ms and sprinkles, keeping a small amount aside for topping.
Step 3: Press into the pan
Spread the dough into the prepared pan. Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking and press the dough into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and sprinkles over the top.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 22 to 25 minutes. The edges should look lightly golden and the top should appear set. The center should still look soft. These bars firm up as they cool, so taking them out a little early helps them stay chewy.
Step 5: Cool and slice
Cool the bars completely in the pan. Use the foil to lift the cooled slab onto a cutting board. Slice into squares or rectangles. The bars are rich, so smaller pieces work well for cookie trays.
Tips for Success
Top Tip
- Stop mixing when the flour disappears to keep the texture soft.
- Check early because each oven bakes differently. A soft center gives you the best chew.
- Cool fully before slicing for cleaner edges.
- Add a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the cooled bars for a festive touch.
Variations
- Add white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- Fold in crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist.
- Swap M&Ms for chocolate chips to create blondie style cookie bars.
- Add toasted walnuts or pecans for a nutty version.
FAQs
Yes. They stay soft for several days, which makes them great for early holiday prep. Bake them a day ahead and slice the next day for the best texture.
A metal pan is best, but if you only have glass, reduce the oven temperature slightly and check the bars early. Glass heats differently and can overbrown the edges.
Look for golden edges and a center that looks set but soft. If the center looks firm, they may be overbaked. They continue to set as they cool.
Yes. Use two 9x13 metal pans instead of a single larger pan. This keeps the thickness and baking time consistent.
Yes. Freeze the whole uncut slab or individual slices. They thaw quickly and stay soft.
You can replace part of the M&Ms with chocolate chips, chopped chocolate, white chocolate, or crushed peppermint candies.
📖 Recipe
Christmas Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars bring cozy holiday charm in one easy pan. Soft, chewy, filled with M&Ms and sprinkles-they're festive, quick, and sure to disappear fast.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113 g), melted and slightly cooled
- 2 cups packed brown sugar (400 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups all purpose flour (248 g)
- 1 cup Christmas M&;Ms, plus a small handful for topping
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (jimmies), plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 inch metal pan with foil and spray it generously with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir the melted butter and brown sugar until combined. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Add salt and baking powder, then stir in flour just until no dry streaks remain. Fold in most of the M&Ms and sprinkles.
- Spread the dough into the prepared pan. Lightly spray hands and press into an even layer. Sprinkle remaining M&Ms and sprinkles on top.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until edges are golden and the top looks set. The center should still appear soft.
- Cool completely in the pan. Use foil to lift out, then slice into bars.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap uncut slab in plastic and foil, freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw before slicing. Variations include using white chocolate chips, peppermint candy, or nuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Storage
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
If you want to freeze them, wrap the cooled uncut slab in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before slicing. Individual slices can also be frozen.
Serving Ideas
Serve these bars with hot cocoa, coffee, or a plate of other holiday cookies. They are perfect for dessert tables, neighbor gifts, and festive classroom treats. They hold up well in bags and tins, which makes them wonderful for sharing.
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You may also like my Christmas Pinwheel Cookies.
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