Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Cookie Bars bring all the festive flavors into one delightful treat. Packed with chocolate chips, holiday M&Ms, and colorful sprinkles, they are perfect for sharing during the holiday season. Easy to make and irresistibly tasty, these bars will quickly become a seasonal favorite.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 extra large egg, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, plus extra for sprinkling on top
• 1/2 cup holiday M&Ms, plus extra for sprinkling on top
• 2 tablespoons holiday jimmy sprinkles, plus extra for sprinkling on top

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, dark brown sugar, white sugar, salt, and ground nutmeg until thoroughly combined.
3. Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Stir in the flour and baking soda just until combined to form the batter. Avoid overmixing.
5. Step 5: Fold in the chocolate chips, holiday M&Ms, and sprinkles gently.
6. Step 6: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips, M&Ms, and sprinkles evenly over the top of the batter for a festive look.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bars are puffed and golden brown on top.
9. Step 9: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 16 squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, try using a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips instead of just dark chocolate.
• Substitute holiday M&Ms with chopped nuts or dried fruit for a different texture.
• Make sure the egg is at room temperature to help the batter mix smoothly.
• To keep the bars soft, avoid overbaking and check for doneness starting at 30 minutes.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to 1 week. Reheat gently in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer them warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt to 1/4 teaspoon or omit it completely to avoid the bars becoming too salty.

Can these bars be frozen?

Yes, wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 119 reviews

Delight in these festive Christmas Cookie Bars that combine rich melted butter, dark brown sugar, and colorful holiday M&Ms for a chewy, flavorful treat perfect for the holiday season. These easy-to-make bars are loaded with chocolate chips, sprinkles, and warm spices like nutmeg, baked to golden perfection in an 8×8-inch pan.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 to 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 to 50 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 extra large egg, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Add-ins and Toppings

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, plus extra for sprinkling on top
• 1/2 cup holiday M&Ms, plus extra for sprinkling on top
• 2 tablespoons holiday jimmy sprinkles, plus extra for sprinkling on top

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there is an overhang on all sides for easy removal of the bars.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, white sugar, salt, and ground nutmeg until thoroughly combined and smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully incorporated.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix, which ensures a tender texture.
4. Fold in Add-ins: Fold in the dark chocolate chips, holiday M&Ms, and holiday jimmy sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Transfer and Top Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips, M&Ms, and sprinkles evenly over the top to decorate.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bars have puffed up and the top begins to turn golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool and Cut: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into 16 squares for serving.

Notes

• Make sure the egg is at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
• Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to prevent tough bars.
• Use parchment paper with overhang to easily remove the bars from the pan without sticking.
• Customize sprinkles and candies to your preference or holiday theme.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: Christmas Cookie Bars, holiday dessert, chocolate chip bars, festive cookies, easy holiday baking