How To Make Christmas Cookie Bars (Sweet & Salty!)
Soft, chewy, festive cookie bars that taste like Christmas — with the perfect mix of sweet chocolate, colorful M&Ms, and a crunchy pretzel topping.
This recipe is part of our ongoing collaboration with Whisk & Wunder.
Together we’re bringing you cozy treats straight from our Christmas bakery — in English and German, right into your kitchen. Perfect for cookie swaps, edible gifts, or a quiet night of baking with holiday music playing in the background. 🎄
Auf der Suche nach dem Rezept auf Deutsch? Klick hier! 🇩🇪
The Magic of Christmas Baking (and a Little Real Life)
Every December, something about the kitchen changes — butter is always softening on the counter, cinnamon makes an appearance in every recipe, and there’s usually a half-open bag of M&Ms somewhere nearby. I always need to have a sweet and salty snack nearby.
These Sweet & Salty Christmas Cookie Bars are my new favorite way to lean into the season. They’ve got everything I love about Christmas cookies — buttery dough, melty chocolate, a pop of red and green — but in one easy-to-bake pan. And the twist? A layer of crunchy pretzels that adds the perfect salty contrast to all that sweetness.
I made these while I had Gilmore Girls in the background and a solid glass of glühwein, it was truly holiday bliss.
Is This Recipe Budget-Friendly?
Yes — absolutely.
You’re mostly working with basic pantry staples: flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla. The festive extras — M&Ms and pretzels — add a fun twist without adding much cost.
These were originally just meant to be “traditional” cookie bars, but I was munching on pretzels and realized they had gone a little stale and I thought– Hey! Why not add them to the dough? This recipe is for using whatever is left over from your other holiday baking. Feel free to experiment!
One pan makes up to 20 bars, which means you can bring a full tray to a cookie exchange or wrap them up for friends without doubling the batch (though you’ll probably want to).
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cookie Bars
These bars are exactly what December baking should feel like — easy, cozy, and just a little bit special.
- Sweet + Salty = Perfect Pairing. The pretzels add a crunchy, buttery edge that makes each bite even better.
- Soft, chewy, and full of flavor. Browned butter and brown sugar give these bars a deep, toffee-like richness.
- Festive without the fuss. No rolling, chilling, or frosting required — just press, bake, and slice.
- Crowd-pleasing and giftable. They hold up beautifully for parties, potlucks, or homemade gifts.
- Smells like Christmas. Enough said.
Looking for more recipes that are super simple and taste like Christmas?
- Easy Crock Pot Apple Butter – the set-it-and-forget-it recipe that makes your whole house smell like cinnamon apples.
- Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Cake – rich, nutty, and perfectly spiced for cozy winter weekends.
- Christmas Snickerdoodles – soft, buttery cookies with a festive cinnamon-sugar sparkle.
📌 Pin Me!
Baking for the holidays? Save this Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe for the next time you need something festive, easy, and crowd-approved.
These bars are soft, chocolatey, salty-sweet, and practically sparkle on a dessert table.
🎁 Pin it to your “Holiday Baking” or “Christmas Cookies” board — you’ll want this one again next year!
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🧈 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups + 2 tbsp (260g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup (185g) unsalted butter, browned and cooled slightly
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) white sugar
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-ins & Toppings
- 2 cups (340g) chocolate chips
- ¾ cup red and green M&Ms (plus a few extra for topping)
- 1 cup mini pretzels, lightly crushed
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing
👩🍳 How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars
1. Brown the Butter
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden brown and nutty-smelling (5–7 minutes). Cool for 10 minutes before using.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
Beat browned butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and mix again.
3. Add Eggs
Add the egg and yolk, mixing gently until combined. Don’t overbeat — it keeps the bars chewy.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry mix into the wet ingredients with a spatula until just combined.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips
Add the chocolate chips and gently mix. The dough will be soft and fragrant.
6. Press Into Pan
Line an 8×8-inch (20cm) pan with parchment paper. Press dough evenly into the pan with your fingers or a spatula.
7. Decorate with M&Ms and Pretzels
Top evenly with M&Ms and crushed pretzels. Gently press them into the dough so they stay in place while baking.
8. Bake
Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 23–25 minutes until edges are golden and the center looks set.
9. Cool and Slice
Cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, then cut into squares.
FAQ
Do I need to brown the butter?
It’s optional, but totally worth it. It gives the bars a rich, caramel-like flavor that regular melted butter just can’t match.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes! They keep beautifully at room temp for 5 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Wrap in parchment, store in a freezer-safe container, and thaw overnight on the counter.
Can I skip the pretzels?
You can — but that sweet-and-salty bite is what makes this recipe stand out.
🍫 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 7 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To refresh after freezing, warm in the oven for 2–3 minutes before serving.
🎁 The Final Forkful
These Christmas Cookie Bars are the kind of bake that never makes it to the cookie exchange — mostly because everyone in the kitchen “tests” a few pieces first.
They’re everything I love about the holidays in one pan: rich brown butter, gooey chocolate, colorful candy, and just enough salty crunch to keep it interesting.
If December had a flavor, this would be it.
📸 If you bake them, tag @TastyCue — we’d love to see your holiday bakes!
much love,
Sidney & Thomas
How To Make Christmas Cookie Bars (Sweet & Salty!)
Ingredients
Method
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden brown and nutty-smelling (5–7 minutes). Cool for 10 minutes before using.¾ cup unsalted butter
- Beat browned butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and mix again.1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup white sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Add the egg and yolk, mixing gently until combined. Don’t overbeat — it keeps the bars chewy.1 egg, 1 egg yolk
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry mix into the wet ingredients with a spatula until just combined.2 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt
- Add the chocolate chips and gently mix. The dough will be soft and fragrant.2 cups chocolate chips
- Line an 8×8-inch (20cm) pan with parchment paper. Press dough evenly into the pan with your fingers or a spatula.
- Top evenly with M&Ms and crushed pretzels. Gently press them into the dough so they stay in place while baking.¾ cup red and green M&Ms, 1 cup mini pretzels
- Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 23–25 minutes until edges are golden and the center looks set.
- Cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, then cut into squares.Flaky sea salt
Nutrition
Notes
- Nutrition: The information provided here is meant to be used as a rough guide, and nothing more. We are not licensed nutritionists.
OHHH yum! I am definitely making these for the holidays!
These somehow had the perfect texture, or level of chewiness or whatever for me. Crumbl cookies are raw and overwhelming in my opinion, while these still had that satisfying thickness without tasting and feeling underbaked.
These are so festive and yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Something like this wouldn’t be my usual go to, but I’m always keen on trying new things! I will be making these for my friends over the festive period.
I can’t wait for the holidays! I would love to try this one.
So easy! We used dark chocolate chips. It was delicious.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that 🙂 I like milk chocolate too much haha but this just gave me an idea…