Christmas Bars - Annrecipes

Bring the magic of the holidays straight to your dessert table with these Christmas Bars — rich, chewy, and bursting with festive flavor! 🎅✨
Perfect for cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, or cozy nights at home, these bars combine buttery sweetness with a touch of holiday cheer in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars are the ultimate holiday treat — soft in the center, slightly crisp at the edges, and full of colorful sprinkles, chocolate chips, and seasonal joy.
They’re easy to make, require no fancy equipment, and taste like pure Christmas comfort.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just indulging at home, Christmas Bars bring that “fresh from the oven” magic everyone loves.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these delicious, chewy bars:

🛒 For the Bars:

1 cup unsalted butter, melted 🧈
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs 🥚
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup red and green M&M’s or festive chocolate candies 🍬
1/2 cup white chocolate chips 🍫
1/2 cup crushed candy canes (optional) 🍭
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional for warmth)

How to Make Christmas Bars

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until fully combined.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until no dry spots remain.

Step 4: Add the Holiday Magic

Fold in M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and crushed candy canes (if using). The dough will be thick and colorful!

Step 5: Bake

Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares or bars. Decorate with extra sprinkles or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a festive finish!

Tips for Perfect Christmas Bars

Don’t overbake — the bars should stay soft and chewy in the center.
Add color with red, green, and gold sprinkles for a true holiday look.
Mix it up! Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts for a flavor twist.
Cool completely before slicing — this helps them hold their shape perfectly.

Serving Ideas

These Christmas Bars are perfect for:

Holiday dessert platters 🎁
School or office parties 🍪
Gifts in festive tins or treat bags 🎄
Movie nights with hot cocoa ☕

They pair beautifully with a warm mug of coffee, hot chocolate, or even eggnog!

Storing and Freezing Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freeze for up to 2 months — simply thaw before serving.
To keep them chewy, add a slice of bread to the storage container (it keeps them soft longer!).

Why This Recipe Works

These Christmas Bars combine the nostalgic flavors of classic holiday cookies with the convenience of a one-pan dessert.
They’re rich, buttery, and festive — a perfect treat that saves you time without sacrificing flavor or charm.

They look stunning, taste amazing, and fill your kitchen with that unmistakable holiday aroma.

Final Thoughts

Make your holidays even sweeter with these Christmas Bars — a simple yet show-stopping dessert that everyone will love.
Each bar is a little piece of Christmas cheer: chewy, chocolatey, and completely irresistible. 🎄💖

Bake a batch, wrap them up, and share the joy this holiday season — because Christmas just isn’t complete without a little something sweet!