Name: Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips; 1/4 cup crushed candy canes; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp baking powder

Sweet memories often emerge from the magical world of christmas cookie bars that bring comfort and joy to winter gatherings.

Childhood nostalgia floods back with each delectable bite of these delightful treats.

Buttery layers melt on your tongue, creating moments of pure happiness.

Sprinkled with festive cheer, these bars capture the essence of holiday warmth.

Soft edges and rich textures invite you to indulge in a delicious experience.

Baking becomes an adventure that connects generations through shared love and sweet traditions.

You’ll want to savor every crumb of this heartwarming recipe.

Base Ingredients:

Butter: A creamy foundation that provides rich flavor and tender texture to the cookie bars.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, delicate cookie base.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the structure of the bars.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic essence.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure that gives the bars their classic cookie texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor profile.
Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, soft consistency.

Festive Mix-Ins:

White Chocolate Chips, Red and Green Sprinkles, Crushed Candy Canes: Add holiday cheer with a mix of colors, textures, and festive flavors that make these cookie bars special and visually appealing.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting edges hang slightly over for easy lifting later. Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar

In a roomy mixing bowl, blend softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes super fluffy and light. This creates a dreamy base for your holiday treats.

Step 3: Add Egg Magic

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, stirring thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract to boost the delicious flavor.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together:

Flour
Salt
Baking powder

Make sure no pesky lumps remain in your dry ingredient blend.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to keep the bars tender and soft.

Step 6: Sprinkle Holiday Cheer

Gently mix in festive goodies:

White chocolate chips
Red and green sprinkles
Crushed candy canes

Distribute these holiday treats evenly throughout the dough.

Step 7: Spread in Pan

Transfer the colorful dough into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the top.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool Down

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan for about an hour. Patience is key for perfect cookie bars.

Step 10: Slice and Serve

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and serve these merry, delightful holiday treats to your loved ones.

Crush Candy Canes Perfectly: Use a food processor or place candies in a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin for uniform, fine pieces that distribute evenly in the dough.
Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick at an angle near the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter, to ensure perfectly baked bars.
Prevent Sticking Trick: Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving slight overhang, which allows easy removal and clean cutting of bars without breaking.
Maintain Soft Texture: Mix dry ingredients gently and avoid overmixing the dough to keep the bars tender and prevent tough, dense results.

Peppermint Paradise: Replace white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips and increase candy cane quantity for an intense minty flavor explosion.
Nutty Holiday Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the batter and sprinkle additional toasted nuts on top for extra texture and warmth.
Chocolate Raspberry Celebration: Swap sprinkles with freeze-dried raspberry pieces and mix in milk chocolate chips for a rich, fruity winter version.
Gingerbread Spice Surprise: Incorporate ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and molasses into the dough for a classic holiday gingerbread-inspired cookie bar.

Pair Festive Hot Cocoa: Brew rich, creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows and a hint of peppermint to complement the Christmas cookie bars' sweet and minty flavor profile.
Create Holiday Spiced Wine: Simmer mulled wine with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and cloves, offering a warm, spicy adult beverage that enhances the cookie bars' festive spirit.
Match Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy, smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside the bars, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast with the warm, chewy dessert.
Explore Peppermint Mocha Latte: Craft a decadent coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk, peppermint syrup, and whipped cream, mirroring the candy cane elements in the cookie bars.

Store cooled Christmas Cookie Bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their fresh texture and preventing moisture buildup.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, preserving them for up to 3 months without losing flavor or quality.
Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain soft and delicious, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Place parchment paper between cookie bar layers when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their pristine appearance during storage.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty.

How do I prevent the bars from becoming dry?

Do not overmix the dough and avoid overbaking. Check the bars at the 25-minute mark and remove them from the oven when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

What if I don't have white chocolate chips?

You can substitute with milk or dark chocolate chips, or use a mix of different chocolate types for added flavor complexity.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the bars up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature, ensuring they remain fresh and delicious.

Celebrate Holiday Cheer: Transform your kitchen into a festive wonderland with these colorful and spirited Christmas cookie bars packed with white chocolate chips, sprinkles, and crushed candy canes.
Minimal Preparation Required: Create delectable holiday treats with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that even novice bakers can master without stress.
Perfect Party Pleaser: Slice these vibrant bars into convenient squares that are ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or casual family dessert moments, guaranteeing smiles from kids and adults alike.
Versatile Festive Dessert: Dress up these bars with additional decorations like drizzled white chocolate or extra sprinkles to match any holiday color scheme or theme, making them adaptable for different celebrations.

Mia Thompson

Pastry Chef & Content Creator

Expertise

Creating wholesome, seasonal desserts with a focus on nutrition.
Developing recipes on healthy baking alternatives.
Experimenting with plant-based and gluten-free recipes.

Education

Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.

National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.

Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.