Name: Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup (255 grams) holiday M&Ms or red and green candy-coated chocolates; 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional for extra flavor); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional); 1/2 cup (85 grams) white chocolate chips (optional, for drizzle)

Sweet memories dance through my kitchen whenever I whip up these delightful christmas cookie bars that melt hearts faster than snowflakes in sunlight.

Grandma’s secret recipe whispers comfort from generations past.

Buttery layers promise a festive experience that sparkles with joy.

Soft, chewy textures combine rich flavors that surprise and delight.

Decorative sprinkles add whimsical touches to each delectable square.

Families gather around, eagerly anticipating these magical treats.

Quick Holiday Baking: Whip up these festive Christmas Cookie Bars in under an hour, perfect for busy home bakers wanting a delicious seasonal treat.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Deliver a sweet sensation that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings, office parties, and holiday celebrations.
Versatile Decoration Option: Customize the bars with a white chocolate drizzle or sprinkle with festive colored sugar to match your holiday theme and personal style.
Beginner-Friendly Recipe: Designed with simple steps and basic ingredients, this recipe welcomes home bakers of all skill levels to create a delightful Christmas dessert with confidence.

Base Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie bars, choose unbleached flour for best results, soft and fine texture.
Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become fluffy, ensures light and tender crumb.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt.

Sweet Components:

Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create golden color, white and fine-grained.
Brown Sugar: Provides moisture and rich caramel-like flavor, soft and slightly sticky.

Wet Ingredients:

Unsalted Butter: Creates rich flavor and tender texture, room temperature is best for smooth mixing.
Large Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture, use fresh eggs at room temperature.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor, pure vanilla offers best taste.

Optional Topping:

White Chocolate: Adds decorative drizzle and extra sweetness, use high-quality baking chocolate for smooth melting.

Festive Add-Ins:

Sprinkles, Colored Sugar, Crushed Candy Canes: Provide Christmas theme and decorative touch, choose festive colors and textures.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal later.

Spray the parchment with non-stick cooking spray to ensure smooth release of the bars.

Step 2: Create the Dry Mixture

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Festive ground cinnamon
Crushed peppermint candy pieces

Blend these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and look like a winter wonderland of powdery goodness.

Step 3: Whip the Butter and Sweetness

Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter until it becomes light and fluffy.

Gradually add granulated sugar and brown sugar, mixing until the texture becomes creamy and smooth.

The mixture should look like silky snow.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient blend into the wet ingredients.

Fold in white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies.

Stir until just combined to keep the batter tender.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.

The bars are done when the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Create Festive Drizzle

Once cooled, melt white chocolate in the microwave.

Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars in elegant zigzag patterns using a spoon or piping bag.

Step 7: Slice and Celebrate

Let the bars cool completely in the pan.

Using the parchment paper edges, lift the entire batch out.

Slice into squares or festive triangles.

Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up with holiday joy.

Use exact measurements for flour and sugar to ensure consistent texture and sweetness in your Christmas cookie bars.
Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve the perfect light and fluffy consistency.
Refrigerate the baked bars for 15-20 minutes before slicing to get clean, sharp edges and prevent crumbling.
Swap white chocolate drizzle with crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or colored icing to match your holiday theme and personal taste.
Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer shelf life without losing flavor or texture.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Warm refrigerated or frozen bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or let thaw naturally at room temperature for soft, chewy texture.

Pair with Warm Mulled Wine: The spicy, sweet Christmas cookie bars harmonize beautifully with a glass of mulled wine, enhancing the festive flavors and creating a cozy holiday moment.
Match with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: The rich, creamy hot chocolate complements the cookie bars' sweetness, adding a refreshing peppermint twist that screams Christmas cheer.
Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, chewy cookie bars, balancing textures and temperatures.
Accompany with Cinnamon Espresso: A small shot of espresso with a hint of cinnamon cuts through the sweetness and brings out the deeper, richer notes in the Christmas cookie bars.

Gluten-Free Holiday Bars: Swap all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly treats that maintain the same festive flavor and texture.
Vegan Christmas Bars: Replace butter with coconut oil, use plant-based egg substitute like flax eggs, and select dairy-free white chocolate for a compassionate version that everyone can enjoy.
Low-Sugar Christmas Bars: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while preserving the classic holiday cookie bar taste.
Nut-Friendly Festive Bars: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added crunch and nutty warmth, creating a more complex flavor profile for nut lovers.

FAQs

What are the key flavors in these Christmas Cookie Bars?

These bars feature a delightful blend of vanilla, butter, and festive sprinkles, creating a sweet and celebratory taste that captures the holiday spirit with every bite.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare these cookie bars up to 3 days in advance. Simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature, keeping them fresh and delicious for your holiday gathering.

Are these suitable for people with nut allergies?

The basic recipe does not include nuts, making them a safe option for those with nut allergies. However, always double-check your specific ingredients to ensure complete safety.

How can I make these cookie bars more festive?

Add holiday-themed sprinkles, use red and green food coloring in the batter, or create a festive white chocolate drizzle to enhance the Christmas theme and make them look more seasonal and fun.

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices.

James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).