Christmas Cookie Bars
If you want to make something fun and festive, but you’re short on time and need something fuss free, you’re going to love these Christmas cookie bars! They’ve got all the flavor and nostalgia of classic Christmas cookies — buttery, chewy, and sweet — without the hassle of rolling or cutting. Just mix, press, bake, and slice. I made these last year for the holiday bake sale at my little girl’s nursery, and I’m not too humble to tell you that these were the first things to fly off the table!
The dough is soft and simple, filled with holiday M&Ms and colorful sprinkles that make every bite look merry and bright. They’re easy to make, easy to share, and even easier to eat. And that’s exactly what a good Christmas dessert should be, right?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
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Quick and simple: No chill time or cookie cutters needed.
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Perfect texture: Chewy in the middle with just the right amount of crisp on the edges.
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Festive and fun: The M&Ms and sprinkles make them instantly cheerful.
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Bake sale and gift-ready: They slice cleanly, pack well, and always get lots of compliments.
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Easily customizable: Swap the candies for whatever mix-ins you’ve got at home.
While you’re here, make sure you check out a few more of my holiday baking ideas! I think you’ll also like my Christmas tree cupcakes, cranberry orange muffins, millionaire shortbread Christmas trees, reindeer chocolate muffins, and Santa hat cupcakes!
Ingredients
Looking for the printable recipe card? You’ll find it at the bottom of this post!
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Unsalted butter – softened so it creams easily and gives the bars that chewy, rich texture.
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Brown sugar – adds sweetness with a hint of caramel flavor and keeps the bars soft in the center.
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Eggs – help bind everything together and add a little richness.
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Vanilla extract – rounds out the flavor and gives that classic cookie taste.
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Salt – balances the sweetness and makes every bite pop.
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Baking powder – gives the bars a light lift so they’re not too dense.
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All-purpose flour – the base of the dough, keeping things soft but sturdy.
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Christmas M&Ms – for color, crunch, and chocolate in every bite.
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Christmas jimmies sprinkles – because it’s not a holiday dessert without a little sparkle.
How To Make Christmas Cookie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla, then mix again until everything’s smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just until the dough comes together — no need to overmix.
- Fold in the M&Ms and sprinkles, then press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set.
- Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment and slice into squares.
Storage
Store your cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay soft and chewy if you keep them sealed.
For longer storage, freeze the bars in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months — just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
If you like them warm, pop a square in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
Recipe Notes
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Use room temperature butter. It blends smoothly with the sugar and gives the bars a soft, chewy texture.
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Don’t overmix the dough. Once the flour is added, mix just until combined to keep the bars tender.
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Cool completely before slicing. It helps the bars set and makes for clean, even cuts.
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Metal pans bake best. They give the bars golden edges and a chewy center.
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Switch up the add-ins. You can use mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or crushed peppermint candy instead of M&Ms if you’d like.
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For thicker bars, use a smaller 9×9 pan and bake a few extra minutes.
Serving Ideas
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Holiday gatherings: Slice into squares or rectangles and pile them high on a platter.
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Movie night treat: Warm a square and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy, cozy dessert.
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Gifting: Wrap individual bars in clear cellophane bags, tie with a ribbon, and add a little tag for an easy homemade gift. They travel well and look just as cute as they taste!
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Bake sales: These bars are perfect for bake sales — sturdy, colorful, and crowd-pleasing. Cut them into neat squares and stack them in bakery boxes or wrap them individually for grab-and-go ease.
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Cookie exchange alternative: Bring these instead of traditional cookies for something a little different (and easier to make in bulk).
Christmas Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
- 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla, then mix again until everything’s smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just until the dough comes together — no need to overmix.
- Fold in the M&Ms and sprinkles, then press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set.
- Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment and slice into squares.
These cookie bars look super impressive, but I think you’ll agree that they’re really easy to make! If you try them, do leave a comment and let me know your thoughts and how they turned out, and be sure to tag me in your pics on Instagram @slimmingviolet!
