Christmas Bars are the ultimate holiday treat that combines festive flavors and cheerful colors, perfect for sharing and celebrating. These bars are soft, chewy, and filled with chocolate chips and colorful candies, making them a delightful addition to your dessert table. With their simple preparation and vibrant appearance, they are bound to become a seasonal favorite. Let’s dive into what makes these bars so special!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Bars
There are countless reasons to adore these Christmas Bars. First, they are incredibly easy to make, even for novice bakers, which makes them ideal for holiday parties and gatherings. Second, they are versatile; you can swap ingredients to create your own unique flavor combinations. Third, these bars are visually appealing, with their festive red and green colors from the holiday candies, making them a hit at any celebration. Additionally, they offer a delightful blend of flavors with chocolate chips and buttery goodness. You can serve them warm or at room temperature, and they are perfect for cookie exchanges. Lastly, they are a great option for those looking for easy Christmas bar recipes that don’t require extensive baking skills.
Ingredients for Christmas Bars
Gather these items:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup holiday M&M-style candies (red & green)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Christmas Bars Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Step 3: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until creamy.
- Step 4: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- Step 5: Stir in chocolate chips and half of the holiday candies.
- Step 6: Spread batter evenly in the pan. Press remaining candies on top for extra festive color.
- Step 7: Bake 22–28 minutes until edges are golden and center is set.
- Step 8: Cool completely before lifting from pan and slicing into squares.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Bars
Keep these in mind:
- Make sure to measure your flour correctly to avoid dry bars.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to achieve clean edges.
- If you prefer a gooey texture, check for doneness at the lower end of the baking time.
- These bars can be made ahead of time and stored, which is perfect for holiday snack treats.
Best Ways to Serve Christmas Bars
There are several delightful ways to serve your Christmas Bars. You can present them as part of a dessert platter alongside cookies and brownies for a complete Christmas dessert bars experience. Alternatively, they make excellent gifts when wrapped in festive packaging, ideal for neighbor gifts or party favors. Lastly, serve them warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert that will impress your guests.
How to Store and Reheat Christmas Bars
These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave for a few seconds to restore their chewy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Bars
What are Christmas Bars?
Christmas Bars are festive dessert bars typically made with a buttery base, chocolate chips, and colorful holiday candies. They are perfect for celebrations and holiday gatherings.
How to make Christmas Bars?
To make Christmas Bars, mix your dry ingredients, blend them with wet ingredients, fold in chocolate chips and candies, and then bake until golden. It’s an easy process that yields delightful results!
Why are Christmas Bars popular?
Christmas Bars are popular due to their festive appearance, ease of preparation, and ability to feed a crowd, making them perfect for parties and holiday events as holiday bars.
Variations of Christmas Bars You Can Try
If you’re looking to mix things up, consider these variations: add nuts like walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture, swap out M&M candies for crushed peppermint for a minty twist, or create a layer of frosting on top for a sweet finish. You can also explore no-bake Christmas Bars recipes for a quick treat that requires no oven!
Print
Festive Christmas Bars: 8 Reasons to Love This Treat
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive and Chewy Christmas Bars – Your Ultimate Holiday Treat
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup holiday M&M-style candies (red & green)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until creamy.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips and half of the holiday candies.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan. Press remaining candies on top for extra festive color.
- Bake 22–28 minutes until edges are golden and center is set.
- Cool completely before lifting from pan and slicing into squares.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
