Prep Time: ~15 minutes
Bake Time: ~25–30 minutes
Total Time: ~40–45 minutes
Yield: ~12–16 bars
Introduction
Christmas Bars are festive, chewy, and loaded with holiday flavors, combining buttery cookie dough with colorful candies and chocolate in every bite. These bars are soft in the center, lightly crisp at the edges, and irresistibly rich — perfect for holiday dessert trays, potlucks, gifting, or cozy nights at home.
Why These Bars Are So Popular
These bars deliver everything people love in Christmas baking: sweetness, color, chocolate, and simplicity. Instead of scooping individual cookies, the dough is pressed into a pan and baked into thick, chewy bars that slice beautifully. They’re fun, fast, and always a crowd favorite, especially with their vibrant holiday candy mix.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup holiday-colored candy pieces
- Optional: white chocolate chips or sprinkles for extra color
The Art of Christmas Bars
The key to great Christmas Bars is achieving the perfect soft-chewy balance. Creaming the butter and sugars creates a rich base, while using both brown and white sugar adds moisture and structure. Pressing the dough evenly in the pan ensures uniform thickness and even baking, while mix-ins give pops of sweetness in every bite.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Cream Butter & Sugars
Beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and well combined.
3. Add Eggs & Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
Blend in the vanilla extract.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
5. Fold in Mix-Ins
Stir in chocolate chips and holiday candies, reserving a handful to press on top before baking.
6. Spread & Bake
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Sprinkle remaining candies on top.
Bake 25–30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is set but soft.
7. Cool & Slice
Let bars cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into squares or rectangles.
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overbake — bars stay soft and gooey as they cool.
- Press candies on top for a more festive look.
- Use room-temperature butter for easier mixing.
- Line the pan for clean edges and easy removal.
- Add white chocolate chips for even more holiday sweetness.
Creative Variations
- Peppermint Chocolate Bars: add crushed candy canes to the mix.
- White Chocolate Cranberry: swap chocolate chips for white chocolate and add dried cranberries.
- Gingerbread Bars: add cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to the dough.
- Triple Chocolate: use a mix of dark, milk, and white chocolate chips.
- Nutty Crunch: add chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.
Storage & Freshness
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Refrigerate for longer freshness.
They also freeze well — wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months.
Conclusion
Christmas Bars are festive, delicious, and wonderfully easy to make. With their soft, chewy texture and colorful holiday candies, they bring instant joy to any dessert table. Perfect for parties, gifting, or satisfying sweet cravings all season long.
