Ah, Christmas cookie bars — what a delightful treat that brings back so many warm, joyful memories! There’s something special about the hustle and bustle in the kitchen during the festive season, the aroma of freshly baked goods wafting through the house, and the inevitable taste testing that comes with it. These little squares of happiness are my go-to when I want something quick yet festive and crowd-pleasing. The core of this recipe is a chewy brown sugar base that’s brimming with vibrant holiday M&M candies and sprinkles. They capture the Christmas spirit perfectly! These bars are ideal for those magical moments when friends and family gather round the table, each reaching for these flavorful bites loaded with holiday charm. Whether it’s a last-minute dessert or an addition to your festive spread, these bars are versatile and sure to impress.
There’s a festive recipe on my list that I revisit every Christmas without fail: these Christmas cookie bars. It’s that perfect mix of simplicity and festivity that I adore. These bars whip up quickly, making them a convenient choice for busy holiday schedules. And let’s not forget: you can easily tweak the recipe to match your own taste preferences!
Ingredients for Christmas Cookie Bars
You’ll need to gather a few key ingredients like unsalted butter for that creamy texture, light brown sugar for its caramel notes, vanilla extract to deepen flavors, eggs, all-purpose flour, and essentials like baking powder and salt. Of course, you’ll be tossing in the stars of the show — Christmas M&M's, chocolate chips, and an array of jolly sprinkles such as jimmies.
Steps to Craft Your Christmas Cookie Bars
Begin by preheating your oven and lining a square pan with parchment paper, leaving excess hanging over the edges for easy lifting later. Lightly coat the parchment with cooking spray. Melt the butter and whisk it together with brown sugar in a large bowl, then stir in the eggs and vanilla extract until everything is harmoniously combined. Next, incorporate the flour, baking powder, and salt into the mixture to form a smooth batter. Gently fold in some M&M's and sprinkles, plus those scrumptious chocolate chips. Spread your cookie dough evenly in your prepared pan and garnish with extra M&M's and sprinkles. Bake until those inviting edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center mostly clean. Allow them to cool before lifting out the slab using the parchment overhang, then cut into delightful squares and serve.
Insider Tips for the Ultimate Dessert
- For precision, use a ruler to cut your bars into evenly sized squares.
- Take the festivity up a notch by using holiday cookie cutters to shape your baked bars into stars or trees.
- Opt for premium chocolate chips, like those from Ghirardelli or Guittard, for superior taste.
- Correctly stored in an airtight container, these bars stay delightful for up to 5 days, and you can freeze them for a couple of months, too.
- Avoid overbaking to maintain their chewy texture — the bars are ready when edges are golden, and a center toothpick test shows a few crumbs.
Customize these bars to any holiday by playing around with different sprinkle and M&M colors!
FAQ for Christmas Cookie Bars Enthusiasts
For a Christmas gathering with meals like appetizers or main dishes, aim to serve 2−3 cookies per guest. If hosting a cookie exchange, a dozen cookies a person should suffice for all to share and take home.
While bar cookies and drop cookies use similar ingredients, they diverge in the baking process. Bar cookies are baked in a slab within a pan, whereas drop cookies cook individually on a sheet pan.
Exciting Flavor Twists
These cookies are a blast as-is, but give them a personal touch by switching up certain ingredients.
- Swap half a cup of M&M's with alternatives like crushed pretzels, sliced almonds, toffee bits, or even caramel pieces.
- If semisweet isn’t your thing, switch to milk or white chocolate chips.
- Give your bars a fabulous finish with a drizzle of white chocolate or a touch of flaky sea salt.
These Christmas cookie bars shine at any holiday party, are perfect for gifting, and make great treats for school parties. When you serve them, accompany with a steaming mug of cocoa or eggnog to complete the festive flavors!
