Festive Christmas Cookie Bars

Featured in: Seasonal Cooking Ideas

Soft, chewy bars blended with chocolate chips, holiday sprinkles, and a hint of cinnamon create a festive treat ideal for Christmas season celebrations. Quick to prepare and easy to share, the dough combines butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla for a rich base, while a mix of nuts adds crunch. Spread in a pan, top with extra chips and sprinkles, and bake until golden. These bars cool easily for fuss-free slicing and serving, making them an excellent addition to cookie platters or gatherings. Drizzle with white chocolate or adjust mix-ins for extra holiday flair. Keeps well at room temperature, so enjoy throughout the festivities!

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:19:00 GMT
Soft festive Christmas cookie chocolate chip bars with sprinkles, perfect for holiday gatherings.  Pin it
Soft festive Christmas cookie chocolate chip bars with sprinkles, perfect for holiday gatherings. | smartyskitchen.com

Soft, chewy cookie bars packed with chocolate chips, festive sprinkles, and a hint of holiday spice make these the perfect treat for sharing during the Christmas season.

I always make these bars when friends and family come over during the holidays. They disappear quickly and everyone looks forward to the festive sprinkles and rich chocolate chips.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 1/4 cups (280 g)
  • Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon (optional, for a holiday twist)
  • Unsalted butter: 3/4 cup (170 g), melted and slightly cooled
  • Light brown sugar: 1 cup (200 g), packed
  • Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100 g)
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Pure vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 1 1/2 cups (270 g)
  • Red and green holiday sprinkles: 1/2 cup (75 g)
  • Chopped walnuts or pecans: 1/2 cup (60 g) (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Pan:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until fully incorporated.
Combine:
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add-ins:
Fold in the chocolate chips, sprinkles, and nuts if using, reserving a few chocolate chips and sprinkles for topping.
Spread Dough:
Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and sprinkles on top.
Bake:
Bake for 23–27 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).
Cool & Cut:
Allow to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into bars.
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Our family loves sharing these cookie bars after decorating the Christmas tree together. It's become a delicious tradition that everyone looks forward to.

Required Tools

9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula or wooden spoon, measuring cups and spoons, parchment paper

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter, chocolate chips), and nuts if used. Always check your chocolate chips and sprinkles for possible allergens.

Nutritional Information

Each bar contains about 245 calories, 12 g total fat, 32 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.

Deliciously chewy festive Christmas cookie chocolate chip bars topped with colorful holiday sprinkles.  Pin it
Deliciously chewy festive Christmas cookie chocolate chip bars topped with colorful holiday sprinkles. | smartyskitchen.com

Serve these bars at your next holiday party and watch them disappear. They're a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that brings cheer to any gathering.

Recipe Questions & Answers

Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Yes, substitute white or dark chocolate chips for your preferred flavor. Mix and match for variety.

Are the bars safe for nut allergies?

Omit walnuts or pecans for a nut-free version. Always double-check ingredient packaging for allergen details.

How do I achieve chewy texture in bars?

Careful not to overmix when combining wet and dry ingredients, and slightly underbake for softer, chewier bars.

What can I use if I don't have holiday sprinkles?

Regular sprinkles or chopped candies work as festive toppings in place of colored holiday sprinkles.

How should I store chocolate chip bars?

Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to preserve freshness.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared, covered tightly, and refrigerated for up to a day before baking.

Festive Christmas Cookie Bars

Chewy bars filled with chocolate, warm spices, and festive sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings.

Prep Time
15 min
Time to Cook
25 min
Overall Time
40 min
Created by Emily Scott


Skill Level Easy

Culinary Roots American

Makes 16 Portions

Diet Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

01 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
02 1 cup packed light brown sugar
03 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 2 large eggs
05 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Add-ins

01 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
02 1/2 cup red and green holiday sprinkles
03 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Set the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang for easy removal.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.

Step 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is fully incorporated.

Step 04

Combine Mixtures: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 05

Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, holiday sprinkles, and nuts if using, reserving a portion of chocolate chips and sprinkles for topping.

Step 06

Spread and Top: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips and sprinkles over the top.

Step 07

Bake: Bake for 23 to 27 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

Step 08

Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 16 bars.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Info

Review each item for allergens and reach out to a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat, eggs, milk, and nuts if used. Verify chocolate chip and sprinkle ingredients for potential allergens.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Info for reference only. Always check with your doctor for health guidance.
  • Energy (Calories): 245
  • Fats: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Proteins: 3 g