Name: Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (17.5 ounce) bag sugar cookie mix; 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed; 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2/3 cup red and green M&Ms divided; 1/3 cup white chocolate chips divided; 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips divided; 3 tablespoons holiday sprinkles divided

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 71 reviews

If you’re anything like me, the holiday season means one thing: cookies. But sometimes, rolling out dozens of individual cookies just isn’t practical—or fun. That’s why I’m so excited to share this fan-freaking-tastic Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe with you. It has all the classic Christmas cookie flavors, the festive colors, and the ease of a simple bar cookie. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to make them every year!

❤️

Why This Recipe Works

Simple & Quick: Uses a sugar cookie mix, so you spend less time fussing and more time enjoying.
Festive Flavors & Colors: M&Ms, chocolates, and sprinkles bring the holiday cheer in every bite.
Soft Yet Chewy Texture: Balanced ingredients create bars that are just right—not dry or too gooey.
Versatile & Customizable: Easy to swap in your favorite candies or tweak based on what you have.

Christmas Cookie Bars, festive cookie bars, holiday bar cookies, easy Christmas desserts, Christmas baking ideas - The image shows square pieces of soft, light-colored cookie bars spread out on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two layers: a thick, slightly crumbly beige cookie base studded with colorful red and green candy pieces, along with dark and white chocolate chips scattered evenly throughout. The top layer is the same cookie dough with visible embedded candy and chips, giving a festive look. Small white and red sprinkles are also scattered on the surface of the bars. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe relies on a few key players that come together to make magic in your pan. Each ingredient has a role—whether it’s texture, flavor, or just the festive look—and knowing a bit about them can help you swap or tweak if needed.

Christmas Cookie Bars, festive cookie bars, holiday bar cookies, easy Christmas desserts, Christmas baking ideas - Flat lay of colorful red and green M&Ms scattered alongside creamy white chocolate chips and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips, soft golden brown sugar crystals, smooth pale yellow unsalted butter, fresh large brown egg with a glossy shell, and a small heap of festive multicolored holiday sprinkles, all arranged naturally with slight shadows and textures visible, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Sugar cookie mix: The base of our cookie bars, this keeps things simple and consistent every time.
Brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the bars chewy.
Unsalted butter: Gives richness and moisture; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Large egg: Binds everything together, giving structure and softness.
Vanilla extract: A little magic that enhances all the flavors.
Red and green M&Ms: Adds classic Christmas colors and a fun crunch, spreading holiday cheer.
White chocolate chips: For sweet, creamy pockets that contrast beautifully with the other chocolates.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: A slight bittersweet balance that keeps the bars interesting.
Holiday sprinkles: More festive color and subtle crunch—plus they scream Christmas!

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love playing around with the mix-ins in this recipe to keep things fresh. You might not have every candy on hand, and that’s okay! Personalizing your Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe can make it feel uniquely yours—and that’s half the fun.

Variation: Try swapping out M&Ms for crushed candy canes or toffee bits—I’ve done this, and it adds a lovely crunch and peppermint twist.
Dietary swap: Use dairy-free butter and vegan chocolate chips for a dairy-free version that’s just as tasty.
Nutty addition: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for some extra texture if you’re into nuts in your Christmas treats.
Flavor boost: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced undertone that feels extra cozy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Space and Oven

First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This part is a game-changer because nothing worse than a beautiful cookie bar that sticks to the pan. I always like to let the parchment hang over the edges for an easy lift-out after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, mix your sugar cookie mix and brown sugar until it’s evenly combined. Then, add the softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until a dough forms. It may seem soft at this point, but don’t fret—that’s perfect! If the butter is too cold, the dough won’t come together as nicely, so make sure it’s soft but not melted.

Step 3: Fold in the Goodies

Set aside 2 tablespoons each of your red and green M&Ms and the white and semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus 1 tablespoon of sprinkles for the top. Fold the remaining candies and sprinkles right into your dough. This way, you get a colorful surprise throughout the bars, plus a festive look on top once baked.

Step 4: Get That Dough in the Pan

Spread the dough evenly in your prepared pan. Then sprinkle the reserved candies and sprinkles all over the top. It looks so pretty like this—and trust me, it entices everyone nearby to sneak a peek (or a piece) early.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Keep an eye on it near the end so it doesn’t overbake and dry out. Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely in the pan—this helps them set up nicely and makes slicing much easier.

💡

Pro Tips for Making Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Soft Butter is Key: Let your butter come to room temperature to ensure the dough blends smoothly—this prevents clumps and dry spots.
Don’t Skip Cooling: Cooling the bars fully sets them so they slice cleanly instead of crumbling all over the place.
Use Parchment Paper: Beyond easier cleanup, it helps you lift the whole slab out for even slicing without breaking.
Watch the Oven Time: Every oven is a little different, so start checking at 25 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying the bars out.

How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with extra holiday sprinkles and a few more festive-colored M&Ms when I serve these. Sometimes I add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a “fresh snow” effect, which really ups the holiday vibe. Plus, it’s a nice contrast to the colors in the bars. It’s those little touches that make these cookie bars feel special and party-ready.

Side Dishes

These bars go perfectly with a warm cup of hot cocoa, eggnog, or even a simple cup of coffee. At our holiday parties, I like to set up a cookie bar with milk shooters or spiced cider as easy companions. For something savory alongside, some lightly salted nuts or cheese platter items balance out the sweetness wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday, I layered these cookie bars in a clear glass trifle bowl with whipped cream and crushed peppermint—it was a showstopper! You can also cut them into bite-sized squares, place them on a festive platter, and tie little ribbon bows around stacks for gifting. Presentation makes these feel even more magical.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for 3-4 days. I usually keep mine on the counter in a cookie tin or sealed plastic container, which maintains the soft texture perfectly without drying out.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully. I wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer-safe container or bag. When I want a treat, I just pull one out to thaw at room temperature. No sacrificing flavor or texture here, which is a lifesaver during hectic holiday weeks.

Reheating

If you like your bars a little warm, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—just enough to soften the chocolate chips without turning the cookie chewy. I find reheating like this brings back that fresh-from-the-oven feel, perfect for cozy holiday moments.

FAQs

Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of mix?

Absolutely! If you prefer making your dough from scratch, go ahead. Keep in mind homemade dough might change the texture slightly and could affect baking time, but it’ll definitely still be delicious.
How do I prevent the bars from drying out?

Don’t overbake—pull them out as soon as the edges are golden but the center is still soft. Also, storing in an airtight container helps keep moisture locked in.
Can I freeze the unbaked dough?

You can freeze the dough in the pan wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and foil, but I recommend thawing overnight before baking to ensure even cooking.
What if I don’t have holiday sprinkles?

No worries! You can substitute any colorful or themed sprinkles you like, or skip them altogether—the bars will still taste amazing.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe instantly became one of my holiday go-tos because it’s easy, festive, and hits that perfect homemade sweet spot. I love pulling it out when my kitchen needs quick Christmas spirit without hours of baking. You’re going to love how simple it is to whip up, and I bet these bars will become your favorite last-minute holiday treat, just like mine. Give it a try—you won’t regret it!