These Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive treat that combines cookie dough with colorful sprinkles and chocolate chips. They’re soft, chewy, and perfect for sharing!
Every time I bake these, my house fills with the sweet smell of holiday cheer. They disappear quickly, so I make sure to stash a few for myself! 🎄
What’s great about these bars is how simple they are to make—just mix, bake, and cut! They’re ideal for holiday gatherings, and trust me, everyone loves them!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is crucial for a rich, tender texture. You can substitute with coconut oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free option, but it may alter the flavor slightly.
Brown Sugar: This gives the bars a lovely depth of sweetness. If you don’t have brown sugar, you can mix granulated sugar with a bit of molasses or use coconut sugar instead for a healthier option.
Granulated Sugar: It’s essential for the right sweetness and texture. Feel free to use less if you prefer a less sweet treat, or swap it with a sugar alternative like stevia if you’re cutting back on calories.
M&M’s: The festive colors make these bars cheerful! You can replace them with chocolate chips, nuts, or any other candy you like. For a healthier spin, dark chocolate pieces work well too.
Mini Pretzels: They add a crunchy, salty element. If you have dietary restrictions, try using rice cakes or crushed potato chips for the same crunchiness without gluten.
How Do I Get the Cookie Bars to Rise Properly?
Getting the texture just right is all about perfecting your creaming method and ensuring you’ve measured properly. Creaming the butter and sugars well creates tiny air pockets, which help the bars to rise.
- Make sure your butter is softened, not melted. This gives the best texture!
- After adding the eggs, mix until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to dense bars.
Also, when measuring flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off. This prevents packing, which can yield dense bars instead of light ones.
How to Make Festive Christmas Cookie Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Fun Add-Ins:
- 1 cup M&M’s (red and green)
- 1 cup mini pretzels, roughly crushed
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles (optional)
- Additional M&M’s and pretzels for topping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe requires about 15 minutes of preparation time and 20-25 minutes of baking time. Altogether, you’ll need approximately 40-50 minutes to whip up these tasty cookie bars! Give them time to cool before serving for the best texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that heats up, take a 9×13 inch baking pan and grease it lightly. Next, line the pan with parchment paper, making sure you leave some overhang on the sides. This will make it super easy to lift the cookie bars out later!
2. Creaming the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using a mixer, beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this takes about 2-3 minutes. It’s the secret to yummy, soft cookie bars!
3. Adding the Eggs and Vanilla:
Now, it’s time to add the eggs! Crack them in one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract for that lovely flavor. Mix until everything is just combined!
4. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix this dry mixture into your wet ingredients, blending until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as you want your bars to stay chewy!
5. Adding the Fun Bits:
Now for the fun part! Gently fold in the M&M’s and crushed pretzels. Save a little bit of each to sprinkle on top later for a festive touch!
6. Spreading the Dough:
Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to make sure it’s evenly distributed. Then, sprinkle the reserved M&M’s and pretzels on top. If you’re feeling extra festive, add some holiday sprinkles as well!
7. Baking to Perfection:
Place your baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they are ready when the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cooling Down:
Once baked, allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, lift them out using the parchment paper and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Patience is key here—give them time to set before cutting!
9. Serving Up Deliciousness:
After they’ve cooled, slice the cookie bars into squares and serve them up. Enjoy your festive Christmas cookie bars with family and friends—happy holidays!
Can I Substitute the Unsalted Butter?
Yes! If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can use salted butter instead. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the flavors. This way, you won’t end up with overly salty cookie bars.
Can I Use Different Types of Candy or Mix-Ins?
Absolutely! Feel free to replace the M&M’s with any other chocolate candies, caramel bits, or even chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) if you prefer. Just keep the same total amount (1 cup) to maintain the texture!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookie Bars?
Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, they can be frozen! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
Can I Bake This Recipe in a Different Pan?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have a 9×13 inch pan, you can use an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch pan. Just note that baking time may vary slightly. Keep an eye on them after about 25 minutes if you use a smaller pan, as they may take a bit longer to bake through.
