Christmas Cookie Bars: A Festive Dessert Everyone Will Love

Introduction

Christmas Cookie Bars are one of those desserts that instantly capture the warmth and joy of the holiday season. They bring together everything we love about classic Christmas cookies but in a simpler, more shareable bar form. I find these bars especially helpful during the busy holidays, when time is limited but expectations for delicious treats are high. Instead of rolling, cutting, and baking multiple batches of cookies, you can prepare one pan that delivers all the flavor with much less effort.

These cookie bars are soft, buttery, and filled with festive colors from red and green sprinkles or chocolate candies. The aroma of vanilla, brown sugar, and butter baking together fills the kitchen and feels unmistakably Christmas-like. I have tested this recipe several times, including a version with half white chocolate and half dark chocolate chips, and it worked beautifully every time. Whether you are baking for a holiday party, gifting neighbors, or enjoying a quiet evening treat, Christmas Cookie Bars are a reliable and crowd-pleasing choice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Christmas Cookie Bars are easy to prepare, visually festive, and incredibly versatile. They deliver classic holiday flavors with minimal effort and are ideal for feeding a crowd. The texture remains soft for days, making them perfect for advance baking.

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Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Butter
Butter forms the base of these cookie bars, providing richness and a tender crumb. I recommend using unsalted butter so you can control the salt level. Softened butter creams smoothly with sugar, creating the ideal texture.

Brown Sugar
Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor. It also helps keep the bars soft even after several days, which is essential during the busy holiday season.

Granulated Sugar
Granulated sugar balances the richness of the brown sugar and helps create lightly crisp edges while keeping the center soft.

Eggs
Eggs bind the ingredients together and provide structure. Room-temperature eggs blend more evenly into the batter.

Vanilla Extract
Vanilla enhances all the other flavors and gives the bars that classic cookie aroma. I always use pure vanilla extract for the best result.

All-Purpose Flour
Flour provides structure to the bars. Measuring accurately is important to avoid a dry or dense texture.

Baking Powder
Baking powder gives the bars a gentle lift, ensuring they are not overly dense.

Salt
Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of butter and chocolate.

Christmas Sprinkles
Festive sprinkles add color and a holiday look. They also provide a subtle crunch on top.

Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Candies
Chocolate adds richness and sweetness. You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or festive chocolate candies for color.

Directions

Begin by preheating your oven to 175°C and lining a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial, as it incorporates air and creates a soft texture. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can make the bars tough. Fold in most of the chocolate chips or candies, reserving a small amount for topping.

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate and Christmas sprinkles over the top, pressing them lightly into the dough. Bake for approximately 22 to 28 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.

Equipment needed

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.

large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.

Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.

Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.

Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.

9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.

knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes approximately 16 to 20 bars, depending on how you slice them. Preparation time is about 15 minutes, baking time is around 25 minutes, and cooling time is at least 30 minutes. The total time required is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Storage/reheating

Store Christmas Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. For longer storage, they can be refrigerated for up to ten days. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to restore their soft texture.

Variations and Customizations

These Christmas Cookie Bars are highly adaptable, making them perfect for different tastes and dietary preferences. You can swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even chopped chocolate bars for a richer texture. Adding dried cranberries or chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans introduces extra flavor and crunch.

For a spiced holiday version, try adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients. A citrus twist can be achieved by incorporating orange or lemon zest into the dough, which pairs beautifully with chocolate.

If you prefer a thicker bar, use a smaller pan and slightly increase the baking time. For thinner, crisp-edged bars, use a larger pan and reduce the baking time. I have also tested this recipe with half almond extract and half vanilla extract, which created a subtle but festive flavor that worked surprisingly well.

Nutrition and Dietary Info

These cookie bars are a dessert meant to be enjoyed in moderation. They contain carbohydrates from sugars and flour, fats from butter and chocolate, and small amounts of protein from eggs. You can reduce sweetness slightly by using dark chocolate or reducing the sugar by a small amount without compromising texture.

Expert Tips & Customizations

Perfect Texture
Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft and chewy.

Even Baking
Spread the dough evenly to ensure consistent results.

Flavor Boost
Use high-quality vanilla extract for a noticeable difference.

Festive Look
Add sprinkles after spreading the dough to keep colors vibrant.

Make-Ahead Friendly
These bars taste even better the next day as flavors settle.

FAQs

Can I freeze Christmas Cookie Bars?

Yes, they freeze well for up to two months when wrapped tightly.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend designed for baking.

What pan size works best?

A standard rectangular baking pan produces ideal thickness.

Can I reduce the sugar?

You can slightly reduce the sugar, but texture may change.

How do I know when they are done?

The edges should be golden, and the center should look set.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter is recommended for flavor and texture.

Do I need to chill the dough?

No chilling is required for this recipe.

Can I add frosting on top?

Yes, a light vanilla or cream cheese frosting works well.

Are these suitable for gifting?

Absolutely, they transport and store very well.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, use a larger pan and adjust baking time accordingly.

Conclusion

Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive, reliable, and delicious dessert that simplifies holiday baking without sacrificing flavor. Their soft texture, rich taste, and customizable nature make them perfect for gatherings, gifting, or quiet moments at home. With minimal effort and maximum reward, this recipe deserves a place in your holiday baking tradition.

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