Christmas Bars are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. They’re rich, chewy, and packed with a delicious combination of chocolate, cranberries, and marshmallows. These bars are easy to prepare and ideal for sharing at holiday parties or wrapping up as gifts. Their warm, sweet flavor and simple ingredients make them a go-to dessert for any celebration.
How to Make Christmas Bars
Ingredients
Base Layer
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold butter, diced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup marshmallows
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, combine flour, diced cold butter, sugar, and salt for the base. Mix until crumbly.
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Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
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In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture.
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Fold in chocolate chips, pecans, marshmallows, and dried cranberries.
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Spread the filling over the pre-baked crust and smooth the top.
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Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden around the edges and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
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Let cool completely before lifting out and cutting into bars.
How to Serve
Serve Christmas Bars as a sweet snack or dessert. Pair with milk, hot cocoa, or coffee. For extra holiday flair, top with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate.
How to Store
Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months.
Tips to Make Christmas Bars
Use a combination of dark and white chocolate chips for variety.
Chilling the crust before baking can help it hold its shape.
Don’t overbake—moist crumbs on a toothpick mean they’re perfectly done.
Sprinkle crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles on top for decoration.
Variation
Swap pecans for walnuts or hazelnuts. Replace cranberries with raisins or chopped dried cherries. You can also use flavored marshmallows for a fun twist.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cookie dough instead of making a crust?
Yes, store-bought dough works well for a shortcut—just press it into the pan as your base.
Can I make these without nuts?
Absolutely. Just leave them out or substitute with extra chocolate or dried fruit.
Do they need to be refrigerated?
Not necessarily, but refrigerating helps them last longer and makes them easier to cut cleanly.
Festive Christmas Bars : Perfect for Parties
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cold butter, sugar, and salt until crumbly.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden, then set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Spread this filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out by the parchment paper and cutting into squares.