Santa Cookie Bars (Cute Holiday Dessert)
You know that moment when you realize Christmas baking doesn’t have to mean stress, flour explosions, and burnt cookies? Yeah, welcome to that moment.
These Santa Cookie Bars are basically Christmas cheer baked into a single, buttery, gooey pan. No cookie cutters, no rolling pins—just pure dessert magic. Even Santa himself would trade a reindeer for a bite of these.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
First off, it’s ridiculously easy. We’re talking one bowl, one pan, minimal mess. You mix, bake, slice, and boom—everyone thinks you’ve been channeling Mrs. Claus. They’re soft, chewy, packed with chocolate chips and festive M&Ms, and the red-and-green color combo makes them instantly Instagram-worthy.
It’s basically the perfect Christmas treat for lazy bakers who still want to look like overachievers. (We see you, over here pretending to measure precisely with your heart.)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Servings: 12–16 bars
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Calories: Around 220 per bar
Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter – melted; aka liquid gold.
- 1 cup brown sugar – packed tightly like your holiday schedule.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – for that sweet, sweet balance.
- 2 large eggs – room temp, unless you enjoy wrestling cold eggs.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – because flavor matters.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – don’t skip measuring, rebel.
- 1 tsp baking soda – the unsung hero of chewy bars.
- 1/2 tsp salt – brings out all the flavors.
- 1 cup red & green M&Ms – festive chaos in candy form.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – the real MVP.
- Optional: holiday sprinkles for extra sparkle (and attention).
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat that oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. Easy cleanup = more time for hot cocoa.
- Melt the butter. Pour it into a large bowl and whisk in both sugars until the mixture looks dreamy and glossy.
- Add eggs & vanilla. Mix until smooth—like, no weird lumps. You’re going for cookie batter, not egg soup.
- Dry meets wet. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined. Don’t overmix unless you like rubbery bars (no one does).
- Add the fun stuff. Fold in chocolate chips and M&Ms. Feel free to throw a few extra on top for that “Pinterest-perfect” touch.
- Bake it up. Spread the dough evenly in the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden on the edges but soft in the middle.
- Cool and slice. Let it chill (literally) before cutting into squares. Or don’t. Warm cookie bars with melty chocolate? Yes, please.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking. These bars should look a little underdone when you pull them out. They’ll firm up as they cool.
- Using salted butter. Unless you enjoy surprise salt bombs in your dessert.
- Skipping the parchment paper. Unless scraping cookie bar fossils from your pan sounds fun.
- Forgetting to let them cool. Patience, my friend. Melted chocolate lava is hot.
Alternatives & Substitutions
- Butter substitute: You can use margarine, but why hurt your holiday spirit like that?
- Add-ins: Swap M&Ms for crushed peppermint, chopped nuts, or white chocolate chips if you’re feeling fancy.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—no one will notice.
- Dairy-free: Coconut oil or vegan butter works too, though you’ll miss that buttery flavor that screams “Christmas.”
- Extra festive twist: Drizzle white chocolate on top and add sprinkles. You’ll basically have Santa’s approval in dessert form.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make these ahead of time?
Totally! They keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container, but good luck making them last that long.
Can I freeze them?
Yes! Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat slightly before serving.
Can I use a smaller pan?
Sure, but expect thicker, softer bars. (Basically a cookie brick of happiness.)
What if I don’t have M&Ms?
Use chopped chocolate, candy cane bits, or even sprinkles. Christmas doesn’t judge.
Do I need a mixer?
Nope! A whisk or wooden spoon will do the job. Think of it as your holiday arm workout.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just grab a second pan—or a bigger appetite.
Can I make them blondies-style?
You bet. Skip the chocolate chips and load up on white chocolate and macadamia nuts instead.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—Santa Cookie Bars that are festive, chewy, and dangerously addictive. Perfect for cookie swaps, holiday movie nights, or just pretending you baked for a crowd while secretly eating half the batch yourself.
They’re cute enough for Instagram, easy enough for lazy bakers, and delicious enough to make Santa forget about the milk. 🎅🍪 So grab that mixing bowl, turn on some Mariah Carey, and let your kitchen smell like Christmas magic. Now go impress someone—or yourself. You’ve earned it!
