Cookie bars are one of my favorite shortcuts during the holidays. You get all the flavors and fun of Christmas cookies without spending hours rolling dough, cutting shapes, and decorating. Just mix, press the dough into a pan, bake, and slice. It really doesn't get much easier!
When I'm putting together holiday cookie trays, there's always a batch of cookie bars on the counter. They're easy to make, travel well, and are great for sharing with family, friends, neighbors, and holiday gatherings. Whether you're craving chocolate, peanut butter, bright citrus, or an old-fashioned family favorite, there's something here for everyone.
So grab your favorite baking pan, turn on the Christmas music, and let's get baking!
Jump to:
- 1. Easy Graham Cracker Pecan Cookie Bars
- 2. Santa Hat Brownies
- 3. Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
- 4. Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
- 5. Peanut Butter Blondies
- 6. Fruity Pebbles Blondies
- 7. Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
- 8. Banana Chocolate Bars
- 9. Easy Lemon Bars
- 10. Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
- 11. Brown Butter Pecan Pie Bars
- 12. Peppermint Bark Brownies
- Make this holiday season a little sweeter
1. Easy Graham Cracker Pecan Cookie Bars
This recipe came straight from my grandma's recipe box, and it's one I look forward to making every Christmas. These chewy bars are loaded with crunchy pecans, coconut, and chocolate chips in every bite. They're simple to make and always disappear quickly every time!
2. Santa Hat Brownies
These festive brownies always bring smiles to the dessert table. Rich brownies topped with cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberries become the cutest little Santa hats. They're fun to make, fun to serve, and always a hit with both kids and adults.
3. Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
These cheerful Christmas trees are a fun no-bake treat that's as enjoyable to decorate as it is to eat. Crispy marshmallow cereal treats are topped with chocolate, decorated with green frosting and sprinkles, and finished with a candy star. They're always a favorite for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and family baking days.
4. Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
Need a no-bake treat? These easy peanut butter bars come together with just a handful of pantry ingredients, making them a great choice when the oven is already working overtime. They're crunchy, chewy, and always one of the first treats to disappear!
5. Peanut Butter Blondies
If peanut butter is your weakness, these chewy blondies belong on your holiday baking list! Every bite is packed with rich peanut butter flavor and crunchy chopped nuts. They slice beautifully once cooled, making them an easy addition to cookie trays and dessert platters, mmmm!!
6. Fruity Pebbles Blondies
These colorful blondies add a little extra fun to the holidays. The bright cereal, gooey marshmallows, and white chocolate drizzle make them especially popular with kids, but don't be surprised if the adults reach for seconds, too!
7. Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
Adorable reindeer treats are guaranteed to get smiles. Chocolate-coated Rice Krispie treats are decorated with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and bright red noses for a festive dessert that's almost (almost!) too cute to eat. They're an easy holiday project for little helpers and make a fun addition to cookie trays and gift boxes.
8. Banana Chocolate Bars
If you've got ripe bananas on the counter, this is a delicious way to use them. Moist banana bars topped with rich chocolate frosting and sprinkled with walnuts make a cozy treat that's just right with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
9. Easy Lemon Bars
Every holiday dessert tray needs something bright to balance all the chocolate. These lemon bars start with a buttery crust and are topped with tangy lemon filling and creamy lemon frosting. They're fresh, vibrant, and a welcome addition to any cookie platter.
10. Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
If cinnamon sugar is a holiday must-have at your house, Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars belong on your baking list. Soft, buttery, and coated in a generous layer of cinnamon sugar, they have all the classic snickerdoodle flavor without scooping or rolling cookie dough. They're easy to make and always a favorite on Christmas cookie trays.
11. Brown Butter Pecan Pie Bars
Love pecan pie? These rich dessert bars deliver all those buttery, caramel-like flavors on top of a tender shortbread crust. They're easy to slice, travel well, and make a wonderful addition to the holidays when you're looking for something a little extra special.
12. Peppermint Bark Brownies
Rich fudgy brownies topped with layers of peppermint bark make this dessert a holiday showstopper. They're rich, festive, and packed with chocolate and peppermint in every bite, making them a fun finale for your Christmas baking lineup!
Make this holiday season a little sweeter
Whether you're filling cookie tins, planning a holiday dessert table, or just looking for something fun to bake on a cozy afternoon, these cookie bars and festive treats have you covered! From cherished family recipes to colorful no-bake favorites and chocolatey holiday indulgences, there's something here for every sweet tooth.
I hope you'll find a few new favorites to add to your Christmas baking tradition! If you try one (or several!), I'd love to hear which recipe earned a spot on your holiday cookie tray. Happy baking! 🎄
Dee Rum says
I remember the fun time my daughter and I had making sugar cookies for holiday time by using her TINY decorating child’s set to decorate each cookie. I filled that frosting tiny gun about 20 times it seemed! That tube would only hold a small amount, but she wanted to use it for sure! Fun times for both of us to remember!
Debra Clark says
Oh, I just love this story Dee! I can picture her concentrating so hard with that tiny decorating tool while you patiently refilled it over and over. Those are the moments that make holiday baking so special. The cookies may disappear, but those sweet memories last forever.
Linda Y says
Christmas baking is my favorite time of the year! I have been making cookie plates for 13 neighbors for over 45 years. Even though the favorites seem to be my Snickerdoodles cookies, my 5-minute fudge, and Christmas wreaths made from corn flakes & marshmellows, I always try to add one or two new treats each year. I will definitely be adding your Reindeer Oreo Pops, Marye's Gingerbread Cutout cookies and your Peanut Butter Blondies to my baking to do list this year. Thank you for providing us with awesome recipes all year round!!
Debra Clark says
What a wonderful tradition! Forty-five years of delivering cookie plates is such a gift to your neighbors, and I love that you still make room for a couple of new treats every Christmas. Your treats sound like classics that everyone looks forward to! I'm so honored that the Reindeer Oreo Pops, Peanut Butter Blondies, and Marye's Gingerbread Cutout Cookies have earned a spot on this year's baking list. Thank you so much for your kind words and for baking along with me year after year. I hope this year's cookie trays are filled with lots of smiles! 🎄
Mary says
What a great selection of easy to make cookies. There is something for everyone. Those peppermint bark brownies look extra delicious and Rice Krispie treats are always a favorite.
Debra Clark says
Thank you so much Mary, that's exactly what I was hoping for, a little something for everyone!
Corinne MacAuley says
Can’t wait to try them all!
Especially the vintage recipes.
Thank you!!
Debra Clark says
Thank you Corinne, enjoy!
lois says
They all are great. I have a couple of favorites but all just look great. Will be making a couple of them for the weekend. Can’t wait to have everyone enjoy them. I can taste them already
Debra Clark says
Thank you so much Lois! I love that you're planning to make a couple this weekend. I hope they're a big hit with everyone!
Sherri Rochester says
You had me at the Rice Krispy Tree treat! Those are so cute! I am putting these #1 on my list for the December potluck at Church and to take to my daughter's house for Christmas. of course, there has to be practice sessions. I remember, Mom making her Christmas cookie baking list.She would ask us kids questions about which ones we lived and why about previous years.. i think that these Christmas Krispy trees might have been on that list had she made them.
Debra Clark says
What a sweet memory Sherri! I love that your mom would gather everyone's opinions before deciding what to bake each Christmas. It sounds like those family favorites were chosen with a lot of love.
Teresa Smith says
I love these recipes. Some of these recipes will be good for our October Church Bake Sale. Can't wait to make some these. Love your recipes & your web home site.
Debra Clark says
Thank you Teresa! I'm so happy you're enjoying the recipes. I hope they’re a big hit at your church bake sale in October. There are so many treats that travel well and are always popular on a bake sale table. I'd love to hear which ones you decide to make and how they turn out. Thanks for being part of Bowl Me Over! 🎄
Carol says
There are so many delicious bar cookie recipes not sure where to begin. I think when I have the grands this week we will try making the Santa Hat Brownies. They love strawberries and of course brownies and who doesn't love frosting. Fun times with the grands this week.
Debra Clark says
Mom and I made the Santa Hat Brownies with my great-niece and great-nephew, and we had so much fun together. Carol, your grands are going to have a blast decorating them! The best part is making memories together, even if a little frosting ends up everywhere. 😊 Enjoy every minute! 🎄
Carole chlebek says
Yummy and easy.
Carole Chlebek says
So much easier making bar cookies then scoop and drop individual ones.
Debra Clark says
Right? It's just so easy and just as delicious and rewarding, enjoy!