Name: The Best Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1.5 sticks or 170 grams); 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup red & green M&Ms; 1/2 cup pretzels; 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup chewy caramels, chopped; 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles

Nothing beats these delectable christmas cookie bars that combine festive cheer with irresistible sweetness.

Memories of childhood holidays dance through each delightful bite.

Buttery layers melt in your mouth, creating a magical experience.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these treats absolutely perfect for sharing.

Sprinkled with seasonal charm, each bar carries the warmth of home-baked goodness.

Chocolate chips and festive decorations add a playful twist to this classic dessert.

Quick to Whip Up: Minimal prep time and straightforward mixing steps make these cookie bars perfect for busy bakers who want delicious treats without spending hours in the kitchen.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Packed with chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzels, caramel pieces, and sprinkles, these bars deliver an irresistible mix of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures that everyone will love.
Holiday Cheer in Every Bite: The colorful sprinkles and festive mix-ins transform these bars into a celebration-ready dessert that's ideal for Christmas parties, family gatherings, and winter get-togethers.
Flexible Serving Options: Easily cut into large, medium, or bite-sized pieces, these bars work wonderfully for different occasions, from casual family snacking to elegant dessert platters.

Base Ingredients:

Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cookie bars.
Butter: Creates rich, tender base with golden flavor.
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps with caramelization.

Baking Essentials:

Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

Egg, Extra Egg Yolk: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients together.
Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic bakery flavor.

Mix-In Ingredients:

Chocolate Chips, M&Ms, Pretzel Pieces, Caramel Pieces, Sprinkles: Create texture, crunch, and colorful visual appeal. Best when using fresh, high-quality mix-ins for maximum flavor.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch metal pan and coat it with cooking spray or line with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Break Down Caramels

Slice each caramel into tiny wedges.

This helps them melt and distribute evenly throughout the cookie bars.

Step 3: Craft Butter Mixture

In a microwave-safe bowl, soften butter until just melted.

Let it cool down slightly if steaming hot.

Blend in:

Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Egg
Extra egg yolk
Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Create Dough Base

Incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture:

Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Flour

Mix thoroughly.

If the dough feels too wet, allow it to rest for 5 minutes.

Add extra flour if needed to reach perfect consistency.

Step 5: Load with Goodies

Fold in delicious mix-ins:

Chocolate chips
M&Ms
Pretzel pieces
Caramel chunks
Festive sprinkles

Distribute evenly throughout the dough.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Spread dough evenly in prepared pan.

Dot the top with additional mix-ins for visual appeal.

Slide into preheated oven and bake 16-18 minutes until edges turn golden and center sets firmly.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove from oven and let pan cool completely on wire rack.

Slice into squares – choose 12 large, 24 medium, or 48 bite-sized pieces.

Store in sealed container for up to 3 days and enjoy your festive treat!

Adjust flour quantity to control softness – less flour creates gooey bars, more flour makes them firmer and cake-like.
Cut caramels into small, uniform pieces to ensure even melting and prevent scorching during baking.
Gently fold add-ins at the end of mixing to keep them evenly spread throughout the dough without overmixing.
Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate chips to create unique taste profiles.
Check bars early and remove when edges turn golden – residual heat continues cooking center, preventing dry or overbaked results.

Place cooled cookie bars in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
Warm bars briefly in the oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven softness and bring out the rich flavors.

Pair with Festive Milk Punch: Create a creamy, bourbon-spiked holiday milk punch that complements the rich, sweet cookie bars. The smooth, vanilla-infused cocktail balances the chocolate and caramel notes perfectly.
Serve with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Whip up a decadent peppermint hot chocolate that echoes the holiday spirit of the cookie bars. The cool mint flavor cuts through the sweetness and adds a refreshing contrast to the rich dessert.
Complement with Salted Caramel Latte: Brew a homemade salted caramel latte that mirrors the caramel and chocolate elements in the cookie bars. The warm, aromatic coffee drink enhances the dessert's complex flavor profile and provides a cozy winter beverage pairing.
Match with Spiced Rum Eggnog: Mix a classic spiced rum eggnog that brings out the festive charm of the cookie bars. The creamy, nutmeg-infused drink creates a nostalgic holiday experience that perfectly complements the dessert's indulgent texture.

Gluten-Free Holiday Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurements and adding ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
Vegan Christmas Treat: Swap butter with coconut oil, replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and use vegan chocolate chips and dairy-free caramel alternatives.
Nut-Free Festive Bars: Eliminate pretzel pieces and replace with crispy rice cereal for crunch, keeping all other ingredients consistent with the original recipe while maintaining the sweet and salty profile.
Low-Sugar Holiday Version: Reduce brown and granulated sugars by half, substitute with monk fruit sweetener, and use dark chocolate chips with 70% cocoa content to minimize overall sugar content while preserving rich flavor.

FAQs

Can I use different mix-ins for this recipe?

Yes, you can customize the mix-ins based on your preference. Try using different types of chocolate chips, candies, or nuts to create your own unique flavor combination.

Why do I need to let the dough sit if it's too runny?

Letting the dough rest allows the flour to absorb moisture, which helps firm up the texture and prevents overly soft bars. This ensures better structure and easier handling.

How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center. The bars should not look wet or jiggly when you gently shake the pan. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Do I need any special equipment to make these cookie bars?

No special equipment is needed. You’ll just require a microwave-safe bowl, a 9×13-inch baking pan, parchment paper or cooking spray, and basic mixing tools like a spatula and measuring cups.

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis

Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.