There’s something irresistibly festive about this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe that captures the joy of the holiday season in every bite. It’s crunchy, gooey, and loaded with all the best holiday flavors, making it a perfect treat to share or savor yourself.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first made this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe years ago when a friend brought a batch to our holiday party. It was an instant hit and quickly became my go-to festive dessert. What’s amazing is how quick and fuss-free it is, yet it delivers that special holiday magic we all crave.
- Quick & Easy: No complicated baking skills needed—just mix, layer, and bake for a flawless result.
- Layered Flavors & Textures: Crunchy graham cracker crust with melty chocolate, peanut butter chips, and festive M&Ms that make every bite exciting.
- Perfect for Sharing: They cut into neat bars, which makes handing them out at holiday gatherings super simple.
- Customizable: You can swap out chips, add nuts, or throw in dried fruit to make these your own holiday creation.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe plays a role in balancing flavor and texture. I recommend using good-quality chocolate chips and fresh graham crackers for the best taste.
- Graham Crackers: Crushing these creates the perfect crisp, buttery base that holds all the toppings beautifully.
- Sugar: Just a touch to sweeten and balance the buttery crust.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the crust and adds richness.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: The gooey glue that makes sure all those chips and oats stick deliciously together.
- Quick Oats: Adds chewy texture and a rustic element that complements the sweetness.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolate flavor that melts into irresistible pockets.
- Peanut Butter Chips: For a subtle nutty flavor and creamy contrast.
- White Chocolate Chips: Introduces sweetness and a beautiful color contrast.
- Holiday M&Ms: These bring fun festive colors and a crunch that kids and adults both love.
Make It Your Way
I love how customizable this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe is! Feel free to tailor the mix-ins to suit your taste or dietary needs. Sometimes I swap out peanut butter chips for white chocolate chunks to reduce the peanut flavor, especially if I’m bringing these to a party where some guests have allergies.
- Nut-Free Variation: Leave out the peanut butter chips and instead add extra chocolate or try butterscotch chips—you won’t miss the nuts!
- Seasonal Twist: Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on top before baking to add a festive, minty surprise.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free graham crackers to keep the base celiac-friendly without compromising crunch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Step 1: Creating the Perfect Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9x13-inch pan with nonstick spray plus a parchment paper strip to help with easy removal. Mix the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until everything feels like moist sand. Press this evenly into your pan—it’s important to press firmly so the crust holds together after baking.
Step 2: Adding the Magic
Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust, but be gentle—you don’t want it to pool in one spot. This sticky layer acts like a glue for your toppings, so spread it carefully all the way to the edges.
Step 3: Pile On the Toppings
Now comes the fun part—sprinkle the quick oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and your holiday M&Ms evenly over the top. This even distribution ensures every bite is packed with a little bit of everything.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake for about 25 minutes until the edges are golden and the sweetened condensed milk is bubbling lightly. I usually let them cool in the pan for about 15 minutes—this helps the bars set up so they cut cleanly. Sometimes, if I’m impatient, I grab one warm—melty chocolate is just impossible to resist!
Top Tip
I’ve made this Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe dozens of times, and what really elevated it was learning how to press the crust firmly and spread the condensed milk evenly. Those two steps make all the difference between a crumbly mess and perfect bars.
- Firm Crust Press: Use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to compact the crust evenly—it’ll hold its shape better.
- Gentle Pouring: Slowly pour sweetened condensed milk and gently spread to avoid displacing the crust.
- Even Topping Scatter: Don’t dump chips all in one place—scatter them evenly for consistent flavor in every bar.
- Cool Time Patience: Let the bars cool before cutting—it prevents them from falling apart but if you like gooey, enjoy a warm square!
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep the garnishes simple since the bars speak for themselves, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate feels extra festive. If you want to get fancy, chopped walnuts or a sprinkle of edible gold glitter adds sparkle for holiday parties.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or a glass of eggnog. I’ve also served them alongside a cheese platter for a sweet and salty contrast that guests adored.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I stacked the bars on a festive tiered dessert stand and added tiny holiday ornaments around the base. They also look charming wrapped individually in parchment paper tied with twine—great for gifting neighbors or coworkers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay chewy and flavorful, but if it’s warm, I pop them in the fridge to keep the chocolate from melting.
Freezing
Freezing works great! Just cut the bars, wrap each in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temp for a couple of hours—the texture holds up really well, almost like freshly baked.
Reheating
If you want to warm them up, I recommend 10-15 seconds in the microwave for that melty chocolate effect. Just watch carefully so they don’t overheat and become gooey messes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Regular oats work too but they don’t soften as much during baking, which might add a chewier texture than intended. Quick oats melt into the bars more seamlessly.
I find placing them in a resealable bag and gently pounding them with a rolling pin gives the best consistent crumbs. Avoid grinding too fine or it might make the crust dense.
Absolutely! These bars last beautifully for several days at room temperature and actually taste better the next day as flavors meld together.
Let the bars cool completely before slicing. I also like to use a sharp knife warmed briefly in hot water to get smooth edges without crumbling.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe is one of those crowd-pleasers that makes holiday moments sweeter, easier, and a little more magical. Whether you’re baking with family or need a last-minute treat for a party, these bars deliver on taste and nostalgia every time. I can’t recommend them enough—you’re going to love how festive (and delicious) your kitchen smells while these bake!
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Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 15 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Magic Cookie Bars are a festive and indulgent treat featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust layered with sweetened condensed milk, oats, and a colorful mix of chocolate and peanut butter chips topped with holiday M&Ms. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars are easy to prepare and sure to delight everyone with their rich flavors and festive appearance.
Ingredients
Crust
- 12 graham crackers, crushed
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 9 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling and Toppings
- 1 ½ cups sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup quick oats
- 1 ⅓ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup peanut butter chips
- ⅓ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup holiday M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray and press a piece of parchment paper inside to prevent sticking.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9x13 pan to form the crust layer.
- Add sweetened condensed milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crust and spread it to the edges to cover the entire surface.
- Sprinkle toppings: Evenly sprinkle the quick oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and holiday M&Ms over the condensed milk layer.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes until the edges are golden and the topping is melted and set.
- Cool and serve: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can use a mix of chocolate chips according to preference, or substitute peanut butter chips for butterscotch chips for a different flavor.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, use gluten-free graham crackers.
- Be sure to press the crust firmly so it holds together once baked.
- For easier removal, allow bars to cool completely and refrigerate briefly before slicing.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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