Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
The Best Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

The Best Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 squares 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These festive Christmas cookie bars are loaded with chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzels, caramels, and holiday sprinkles for the ultimate holiday treat. Soft, chewy, and easy to make, they’re perfect for parties or gift-giving!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 yolk (1 whole egg + 1 extra egg yolk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (add an extra 1/4 cup if dough is too runny)

Mix-Ins (Total 2 Cups):

  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup red & green M&Ms
  • 1/2 cup pretzels, broken into pieces
  • 1/2 cup chewy caramels, chopped (e.g., Kraft or Werther’s Soft)
  • 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (e.g., “jimmies”)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven:
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Chop Caramels:
    Cut each caramel into smaller pieces (Kraft caramels can be cut into 8 pieces each).
  3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
    In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter for 20-30 seconds until just melted. Let it cool slightly if it’s steaming.
    Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the melted butter. Stir with a spatula until combined. Add in the egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients:
    Stir in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then add the flour, mixing until the flour is fully incorporated. If the dough is too runny, let it sit for 5 minutes to firm up. If it remains too soft, add an additional ¼ cup flour.
  5. Add the Mix-Ins:
    Stir in the chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzel pieces, caramel pieces, and sprinkles until evenly distributed.
  6. Press and Bake:
    Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. For an attractive finish, press a few extra mix-ins onto the top.
    Bake at 350°F for 16-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Some ovens may require up to 20 minutes.
  7. Cool and Slice:
    Remove from the oven and let the pan cool completely on a cooling rack. Slice into squares (12 large, 24 medium, or 48 bite-sized pieces) once cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Flour Tip: If the dough remains runny after 5 minutes, add an extra ¼ cup flour.
  • Chocolate Chips: Feel free to swap semi-sweet for milk, dark, white, or peanut butter chips.
  • Freezing: To freeze, cool bars completely and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1-2 months.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Square
  • Calories: 220kcal
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg