Name: Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-486352H23M44S
Total time: PT-486352H23M44S
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups chocolate chips; 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Sweet memories often bloom around holiday baking, and these irresistible christmas cookie bars bring warmth to any festive gathering.

Soft, buttery layers melt together with rich chocolate chips and hints of vanilla.

Grandma’s favorite recipe transforms simple ingredients into something magical.

Each bite carries nostalgia and comfort from childhood kitchens.

Delicate crumbs and golden edges promise a delightful treat that sparks joy.

Our simple method ensures you can create these delectable bars without stress.

Bake these and watch smiles spread across eager faces.

Celebrate Festive Baking: Craft delightful Christmas cookie bars that bring holiday cheer to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Quick Family Bonding: Gather loved ones to mix, spread, and enjoy these simple bars that create cherished memories without complicated techniques.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Packed with chocolate chips and nuts, these bars satisfy sweet tooths and work perfectly for potlucks, parties, or cozy family gatherings.
Beginner Baker Friendly: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires basic ingredients and straightforward mixing steps that guarantee delicious results every single time.

Base Ingredients:

Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender texture for the cookies.
Sugar, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, chewy consistency.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the structure of the cookie bars.
Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.

Dry Ingredients:

Flour: Forms the primary structure and base of the cookie bars.
Baking Soda, Salt: Help with leavening and balance the flavors of the recipe.

Mix-In Ingredients:

Chocolate Chips, Nuts: Add delightful texture, crunch, and extra flavor to the Christmas cookie bars.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a light coating of grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the butter, sugar, and brown sugar together until they become a smooth, dreamy mixture. Gently add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Splash in the vanilla for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 3: Blend the Dry Ingredients

Gather your dry teammates:

Flour
Baking soda
Salt

Slowly introduce these dry ingredients into your creamy mixture, stirring until everything comes together in delicious harmony.

Step 4: Add Some Excitement

Toss in your crunchy companions:

Chocolate chips
Nuts

Stir these goodies throughout the dough, ensuring an even distribution of deliciousness.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Spread the dough evenly across the greased pan, creating a smooth, inviting surface that promises sweet treats.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. Bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for those golden-brown edges that signal cookie bar perfection.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Patience is key! Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. This helps them set and makes for clean, beautiful slices of pure joy.

Swap chocolate chips for festive red and green M&Ms to enhance the Christmas theme and add colorful holiday cheer.
Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs for perfectly soft bars.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting of cookie bars.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier bars.
Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain maximum freshness and soft texture.

Festive Peppermint Swirl: Replace chocolate chips with crushed candy canes and add peppermint extract for a holiday-themed flavor profile.
Holiday Spice Blend: Mix in ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to create warm, seasonal undertones that complement the sweet base.
Cranberry White Chocolate Version: Swap regular chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and fold in dried cranberries for a festive red and white color scheme.
Nutty Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans on top and drizzle caramel sauce after baking for an indulgent Christmas treat.

Pair Christmas Comfort with Festive Drinks: Warm up these rich, chocolatey bars with complementary beverages that enhance their sweet flavor profile.
Enjoy Classic Milk Pairing: Pour a cold glass of whole milk to balance the richness of chocolate chips and create a nostalgic holiday experience that brings childhood memories flooding back.
Match with Spiced Holiday Tea: Brew a cinnamon or ginger-infused black tea that echoes the warmth of the cookie bars and adds subtle holiday spice notes to each delightful bite.
Indulge with Dessert Wine: Select a sweet port or moscato that harmonizes with the nutty, chocolatey undertones, providing a luxurious adult twist to these festive treats.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keeps fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum flavor and texture.
Remove frozen bars from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Alternatively, microwave individual bars for 10-15 seconds for a warm treat.
Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore softness and enhance flavor.

What are the key ingredients for these Christmas Cookie Bars?

The key ingredients include butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, salt, chocolate chips, and optional nuts.

Can I make these cookie bars without nuts?

Yes, you can easily omit the nuts if you prefer or have allergies. The recipe will still turn out delicious without them.

How do I know when the cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly firm center. Insert a toothpick in the middle – if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the bars are done.

Are these cookie bars good for holiday gifting?

Absolutely! These bars are perfect for holiday gift-giving. They cut cleanly, travel well, and have a festive chocolate chip flavor that everyone loves.

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.