I whip up these festive cookie bars for a holiday treat. Melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla create a rich, irresistible base while holiday M&Ms and sprinkles add vibrant texture. These soft, chewy bars perfectly capture the season’s spirit and are undeniably satisfying beyond expectation with every delightful bite.

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I love making these Christmas Cookie Bars because they’re a family favorite and really pack a punch in each bite. I start by melting 1 cup unsalted butter and mixing it with 2 cups packed light brown sugar to give the recipe a rich base full of calories and energy.

Then I add 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract which help bind the mix together. The dry ingredients are just 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt, ensuring the bars are soft but still have some structure.

What makes this recipe extra fun for Christmas is adding 1 cup holiday M&Ms and 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles that not only boost the look but also offer a burst of color and sugar. Its a great idea if you like easy Xmas baking ideas and christmas cookie baking for a dessert that’s indulgent yet packed with energy.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super easy to make and you dont need to be a baking expert to nail it. The mix of holiday M&M’s and sprinkles makes it feel totally festive and reminds me of the holidays every time I bite into one. I love that the bars come out soft and chewy which gives them a fun texture and a lot of flavor.

Ingredients

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These festive ingredients really come together in making The BEST Christmas Cookie Bars.

Each one plays a special role and brings its own flavor and texture to the mix.

I love how the natural sugars, rich fats, and protein create a balanced sweetness with every bite.

Its perfect for holiday treats and a fun twist on classic cookies.

Enjoy this blend of ingredients that give life and cheer to your dessert table:

Unsalted butter: Rich fats that deliver moisture and smooth texture.
Light brown sugar: Packed with carbohydrates for natural sweetness and chewy depth.
Eggs: Provide protein and act as a binding agent in our recipe.
Vanilla extract: Adds a warm aroma and enhances overall flavor.
All-purpose flour: Offers carbohydrates and structure, ensuring a perfect cookie bar.
Holiday M&M’s and sprinkles: Bring festive color, extra sweetness, and playful crunch.

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 cups packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup holiday M&Ms

1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease or line your baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and brown sugar until it looks smooth and well mixed.

3. Crack in the eggs and add the vanilla extract then beat the mixture until it’s all combined.

4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt until evenly distributed.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just mixed and avoid overmixing.

6. Fold in the holiday M&Ms and holiday sprinkles so they evenly coat the batter.

7. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.

8. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are set and the middle is still a bit soft; let it cool completely before cutting into bars.

Equipment Needed

1. You need an oven along with a baking pan that you can line with parchment paper or lightly grease
2. A large mixing bowl is necessary for the wet ingredients like melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla
3. A second, smaller bowl is needed to whisk together the dry items such as flour, baking soda and salt
4. Measuring cups and spoons so you get all your ingredients exact
5. A whisk to beat the eggs and blend the wet ingredients
6. A spatula to mix in the holiday M&Ms and sprinkles, and to spread out the batter evenly in the pan
7. Finally, a cooling rack helps your bars cool completely before you cut them into pieces

FAQ

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yea, you can use salted butter. Just keep in mind that you might want to reduce the extra salt a bit in the recipe.

Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?

Sure thing. You can store them in an airtight container at room temp for a few days, or freeze them if you need to keep em longer.

What if I don't have holiday M&Ms or sprinkles?

No worries! You can use regular M&Ms and any colorful sprinkles you have. The idea is to keep it fun and festive.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should be lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. They might seem a bit underdone, but they'll firm up as they cool.

Do I need to let the cookie bars cool before cutting?

Yes, its best to let them cool fully in the pan. This helps the bars set so the pieces dont fall apart when you cut em.

The BEST Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter but then maybe cut back a pinch of added salt in the recipe.
You can replace packaged light brown sugar with white sugar mixed with a tablespoon of molasses per cup for a similar flavor.
Instead of eggs, you might try a flax egg substitute by mixing one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with three tablespoons water and let it sit for a few minutes.
If you cant find holiday M&M’s, you could use red and green chocolate chips instead.
For holiday sprinkles, regular sprinkles from any brand will work fine if nothing festive is on hand.

Pro Tips

1. Always double-check that your oven’s fully preheated and use parchment paper to line your pan. It helps a lot with getting the bars out without any sticking issues.
2. Be careful not to overmix your batter once you combine the dry and wet ingredients. Over stirring can make the texture tough instead of soft and chewy.
3. When you fold in the holiday candies, take your time so you dont break up the M&Ms and lose some of that festive sparkle from the sprinkles.
4. Keep an eye on your bars as they bake. Even though the recipe suggests 20 to 25 minutes, every oven is a bit different so check a little early to make sure you dont overbake the middle.