These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive, easy-to-make treat for the holidays. Soft and buttery, they’re studded with Christmas M&M’s, semisweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips for colorful, melty bites in every square.
One pan, no fuss decorating — a great addition to holiday cookie trays and parties.
These bars pair well with other holiday goodies and make a colorful centerpiece for cookie exchanges.
Ingredients in Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Christmas M&M’s (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- ¼ cup Christmas sprinkles, plus extra for decorating
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Follow these simple steps to make chewy, flavorful sugar cookie bars loaded with chocolate and candy.
Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to make removing the bars easy.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until well combined.
Make the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
Add mix-ins: Fold in the M&M’s, semisweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips, leaving the reserved portions for the top.
Press into pan: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, pressing it to the edges so the surface is level.
Top and decorate: Scatter the reserved M&M’s and chocolate chips over the dough, gently pressing them into the surface. Finish with a sprinkle of Christmas sprinkles for a festive look.
Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and set. Baking time may vary slightly by oven; avoid overbaking so the bars stay soft.
Cool and slice: Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack. Use the parchment paper to lift the slab from the pan, then cut into bars once cooled.
Can You Freeze Sugar Cookie Bars?
Yes. You can freeze either the unbaked dough or the baked bars:
- To freeze dough: Press the prepared dough into a 9×13 pan, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before baking, then bake as directed.
- To freeze baked bars: Cool completely, slice into bars, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
More Christmas Recipes
- Soft Frosted Cut Out Sugar Cookies with Buttercream
- Cake Mix Gingerbread Loaf
- Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf Cake
- Sweet Potato Pie
📖 Recipe
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Dana
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Christmas M&M’s (reserve ¼ cup)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (reserve ¼ cup)
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (reserve ¼ cup)
- ¼ cup Christmas sprinkles, plus extra for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the M&M’s and both kinds of chocolate chips, keeping reserved portions for topping.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Top with the reserved M&M’s and chocolate chips and sprinkle with extra Christmas sprinkles, pressing gently into the dough.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
- Cool completely on a wire rack, lift from the pan using the parchment paper, then cut into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. Actual values may vary based on ingredients and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
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