Christmas Bars - Annrecipes

The holiday season isn’t complete without a dessert tray brimming with festive treats — and Christmas Bars are the star of the show. These deliciously soft, chewy, and colorful dessert bars capture all the magic of Christmas in one bite.

Packed with chocolate chips, red and green M&Ms, and a buttery cookie base, they’re the perfect treat for cookie exchanges, parties, or cozy family nights by the fire. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make — no need to roll or shape cookies individually.

If you want to impress your guests (or Santa!) with minimal effort and maximum flavor, these Christmas Bars are a must-bake this holiday season.

🧈 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make your kitchen smell like Christmas magic:

Dry Ingredients

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix-Ins

1 cup red and green M&Ms
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Holiday sprinkles for decoration

These ingredients make about 16–20 bars — perfect for sharing, gifting, or saving all for yourself.

🍪 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. This will make removing the bars (and cleaning up) a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk until smooth and glossy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk again until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring with a spatula until just combined — don’t overmix or the bars will become dense.

Step 4: Add the Festive Goodies

Fold in the chocolate chips, white chocolate chips (if using), and about two-thirds of the M&Ms. Reserve the remaining M&Ms to sprinkle on top for that classic Christmas look.

Step 5: Spread and Decorate

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and a handful of holiday sprinkles on top for extra color and cheer.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares or rectangles.

🍬 Tips for Perfect Christmas Bars

Don’t overbake: They’ll continue to set as they cool. Overbaking can dry them out.
Use room temperature eggs: This helps the batter mix evenly.
Customize your mix-ins: Add crushed candy canes, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries for extra flavor and texture.
Make them ahead: These bars taste even better the next day once the flavors blend together.

🎅 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Christmas Bars are everything you want in a holiday treat — easy, festive, and utterly delicious. They combine the chewy texture of a cookie with the convenience of a brownie, making them perfect for quick baking sessions or last-minute parties.

They’re also incredibly versatile. You can use different types of chocolate, festive candies, or even drizzle melted white chocolate on top for a bakery-style finish. Kids adore them for their color and sweetness, while adults can’t resist their nostalgic, buttery flavor.

☕ Serving Suggestions

Serve your Christmas Bars with:

A warm mug of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and crushed candy cane
A scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert that melts in your mouth
Or alongside your holiday coffee for a sweet mid-afternoon treat

These bars also make wonderful edible gifts! Simply wrap a few pieces in parchment paper, tie with a ribbon, and gift them to neighbors, coworkers, or teachers.

💡 Variations

Want to make them your own? Try these fun twists:

Peppermint Christmas Bars: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
Oatmeal Version: Replace ½ cup of flour with rolled oats for a chewy texture.
Nutty Bars: Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch.
Gluten-Free: Substitute the flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend.

🎁 Storing and Freezing

Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze the cut bars for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving — they’ll still taste freshly baked!

❤️ Conclusion

There’s something magical about baking during the holidays, and these Christmas Bars capture that magic perfectly. They’re simple to make, beautifully festive, and bursting with the cozy flavors of butter, vanilla, and chocolate.

Whether you’re baking them for a holiday party, wrapping them as gifts, or enjoying them while decorating the tree, these bars are sure to bring smiles all around.

So, preheat that oven, turn on your favorite Christmas playlist, and let these Christmas Bars fill your home with joy, warmth, and the irresistible aroma of the holidays.