Christmas Cookie Bars

There is truly nothing like the smell of warm sugar baking during the holidays. These Christmas Cookie Bars capture pure festive joy in one easy pan. I always look forward to making this simple recipe. The texture is wonderfully soft and just chewy enough. Plus, the colorful candies baked right in make them sparkle on any dessert tray.

Frankly, this is my go-to dessert when I face holiday baking fatigue. We usually eat these bars all week long straight out of the fridge. My family requests these easy cookie bars every single year without fail. They are far less fussy than individual cookies, trust me.

Why I Love This Recipe

I adore this recipe because it delivers big holiday flavor fast. Seriously, these Christmas Cookie Bars are a weeknight lifesaver! No tedious scooping is required here. They bake up beautifully every time, too.

• Speedy Setup: Mix time is under twenty minutes, truly.
• Crowd Pleaser: Everyone loves the colorful M&M’s inside.
• Perfect Texture: They stay wonderfully soft even after cooling down.

Christmas Cookie Bars Ingredients

Gathering these simple ingredients feels like unlocking holiday magic right in my kitchen. This combination creates that perfect, slightly thick, cake-like base for our festive treat. It is truly a classic, approachable flavor profile.

We start with the basics for structure and richness. Unsalted butter gives us that foundational creamy taste. Granulated sugar and brown sugar work together for sweetness and chewiness. The large egg binds everything wonderfully tight. Vanilla extract adds that unmistakable warm scent we all associate with holiday baking. All-purpose flour gives our bars their body and structure. Then, baking powder ensures a little lift, keeping them tender. A touch of salt balances all that lovely sweetness.

Next come the stars of the show. Remember those colorful M&M’s or chocolate chips? They melt just slightly, creating pockets of intense flavor. The first measure of Christmas sprinkles goes right into the dough for color throughout. If you choose to make the optional frosting, you will need more powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla for a sweet, smooth blanket. These components come together easily for amazing Christmas Cookie Bars.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions and Tips

Don’t stress if you are missing one small thing. I always encourage creative adjustments in my kitchen! For flavor boosts, try adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon to the flour mix. That makes these bars taste extra cozy. If you need a dairy-free option, simply swap the milk in the frosting for a creamy oat or soy beverage. For storage shortcuts, you can definitely freeze the un-frosted bars! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap first. If you do not have M&M’s on hand, use any festive candy coating chip you prefer for easy cookie bars.

kitchen tools you’ll need

Gathering the right equipment makes baking so much smoother, friends. You do not need fancy gadgets for these wonderful Christmas Cookie Bars, though!

• Electric Mixer: Great for creaming butter, but a sturdy whisk works too.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Pan: This size yields perfect portions.
• Parchment Paper: Essential for easy removal later on.
• Mixing Bowls: You need one big one and one medium size.
• Spatula or Offset Spreader: Useful for pressing dough and frosting evenly.

How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars

Making these delightful holiday treats is wonderfully straightforward. Truly, anyone can master making these festive Christmas Cookie Bars. We need to move step by step, keeping things organized. Following these simple instructions ensures soft, chewy results every single time you bake.

preparing the pan and oven

First, let’s get our oven warmed up properly. Preheat your oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This standard temperature works perfectly for this recipe. Next, ready your 9×13 inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some overhang on the sides. This overhang acts like little handles later. It helps lift the entire block out easily.

mixing the wet ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl, please. Add your softened butter cubes to that bowl. Next, toss in both the granulated sugar and the light brown sugar. Beat these together using an electric mixer. You want the mixture light and notably fluffy. Then, beat in your single large egg next. Pour in the vanilla extract as well. Mix until everything looks completely combined together.

combining dry and wet mixtures

Now, reach for a separate, medium-sized bowl. Whisk your flour, baking powder, and salt together in there. This blends the dry components well. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your large wet mixture. Mix this slowly on low speed. Stop mixing the moment everything just comes together. Please remember not to overmix the dough here.

folding in the festive mix-ins

It is time for the fun part, honestly. Take your M&M’s or chocolate chips. Gently fold them into the dough by hand. Then, add in the first amount of Christmas sprinkles you measured out. Stir them in carefully with a spatula. We want to preserve the dough’s texture. Press this lovely, colorful dough evenly into your prepared pan. Make sure the layer is smooth for consistent baking.

baking to golden perfection

Slide the pan carefully into the preheated oven. Bake the bars for about 20 to 25 minutes total. Watch for the edges to turn just lightly golden. Test the center with a toothpick inserted inside. You are finished when it comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it. Never let them overbake, or they will dry out fast. Remove the pan from the heat.

cooling and frosting (if applicable)

Let the bars cool down completely inside the pan. Rest them on a wire rack while they chill out. If you skipped the frosting, you are done baking! If you want that sweet topping, proceed now. Spread your prepared frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles right on top immediately. Then, slice your beautiful easy cookie bars into squares.

how to store christmas cookie bars

Proper storage keeps these festive bars fresh for days. If you frosted them, keep the Christmas Cookie Bars covered loosely in the pan. Store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. Unfrosted bars actually do great on the counter. Keep them tightly sealed at room temperature for nearly a week. For longer keeping, wrap unfrosted bars well. You can certainly freeze them for up to two months easily. Thaw them overnight before serving for a quick holiday treat.

Tips for Success

A few simple tricks elevate these bars from good to absolutely amazing. Remembering these details helps every time you bake!

• Ensure your butter is truly softened, not melted at all. Softened butter creams much better.
• Do not open the oven door during the first fifteen minutes of baking.
• Use quality festive sprinkles for the best color payoff on top.
• For perfect squares, chill the bars thoroughly before you slice them.
• If skipping frosting, press the M&M’s down gently before baking.

Serving Suggestions

These delightful Christmas Cookie Bars are wonderful all on their own. However, a little presentation never hurts during the busy holidays!

• Serve warm alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
• Pair these easy cookie bars with a tall glass of cold milk.
• Offer them on a tiered platter alongside peppermint bark.
• They look lovely next to hot cocoa or warm spiced cider.

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