This holiday season, skip the cookies and make something truly special – a show-stopping dessert bar instead! Not only do these sweet treats impress with their flavors and textures, but they’re also ridiculously easy to prepare and perfect for parties. From rich brownies and creamy cheesecakes to fruity and chewy bars, this assortment of Christmas dessert recipes is sure to please even the pickiest palates.
Whether you’re serving a small gathering or a large crowd, these fuss-free treats can be easily doubled or tripled to meet your needs. And as an added bonus, they make fantastic gifts for friends and loved ones. So why settle for ordinary cookies when you can create something truly extraordinary with these Christmas bar recipes?
Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars
Add some sunshine to your Christmas morning with a refreshing twist on traditional holiday treats. These delightful lemon bars are sure to brighten up the occasion with their vibrant citrus flavors and creamy fillings. While lemons may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of festive fare, these sweet and tangy bars offer a welcome respite from the usual spiced cookies and cakes. Try one today and discover a delightful way to spice up your holiday season!
Gooey Butter Bars
The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats, not cut back on calories! To satisfy your cravings, whip up a batch of these scrumptious gooey butter bars. With their perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, ooey-gooey texture, and rich buttery goodness, they’re an absolute delight. Whether you enjoy them with a warm cup of gingerbread hot chocolate or as a quick pick-me-up snack, these treats are sure to be a hit throughout the season.
M&M Christmas Cookie Bars
Indulge in the joy of the holiday season with these vibrant M&M Christmas cookie bars that exude festive cheer. Infused with a generous sprinkling of red and green M&Ms, these treats are sure to get you in the mood for merriment. Not only do they make a stunning centerpiece, but they’re also incredibly practical – one batch can yield up to thirty-six delicious bars! Simply slice them into bite-sized squares and share the joy with friends and family.
To add an extra layer of festive flair, sprinkle white chocolate chips on top before baking. The result is a delightful combination of sweet and crunchy that’s sure to become a holiday classic.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Imagine the excitement of serving these decadent Christmas sugar cookie bars at your next holiday gathering! The combination of a rich sugar cookie base and a generous dollop of creamy frosting is sure to impress. And with a clever twist – this recipe is actually half sugar cookie and half frosting, making it an indulgent treat that’s hard to resist.
Top them off with festive sprinkles in your favorite Christmas colors and get ready for the inevitable: you’ll want to devour every last bite without sharing!
Christmas Magic Cookie Bars
Indulge your guests at the next bake sale with these delightful holiday cookie bars that will undoubtedly be devoured in no time. Infused with a pinch of Christmas magic, they not only tantalize the taste buds but also boast an effortless preparation process. Simply stack all the ingredients into a baking pan and you’re ready to roll. With a cooking time of just 10 minutes, these scrumptious treats are ideal for busy holiday seasons when every moment counts.
Go ahead, treat yourself and your friends to a merry-making experience.
Dulce de Leche Cookie Bars
Fans of dulce de leche will surely delight in these scrumptious cookie bars. To create your own, simply boil condensed milk with water for a few hours or utilize the convenience of a slow cooker by submerging the sealed can in water and letting it cook on low overnight. Alternatively, you can always opt for the pre-made variety. Whichever method you choose, there’s no denying that these cookie bars are the perfect way to indulge in the rich, golden goodness.
To take them to the next level, top with melted white chocolate tinted with a touch of color for a festive finish.
The Best Red Velvet Bars
As the holiday season approaches, red velvet’s vibrant color scheme seems tailor-made for festive celebrations. And what better way to get into the spirit than with a batch of easy-to-make red velvet bars? The secret to their effortless preparation lies in utilizing a boxed cake mix, which streamlines the process and saves time. Simply add some white chocolate chips and top it off with store-bought buttercream frosting for a treat that’s as quick as it is delicious.
Gingerbread Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
Indulge in the warmth of the holiday season with these scrumptious gingerbread bars. The moment you take a bite, they’ll earn a spot on your Christmas baking bucket list! A masterful blend of spices is elevated by a rich cream cheese frosting, striking the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. To make them even more festive, add some sprinkles and miniature gingerbread men for a delightful touch.
Triple Chocolate Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars
Indulge your sweet tooth with these decadent triple chocolate hot cocoa bars! Richly packed with not one, not two, but three types of chocolate, mini marshmallows, and festive Christmas sprinkles, these treats are sure to satisfy any chocoholic’s cravings. Paired with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, they’re an irresistible combination that may just leave you weak in the knees.
White Chocolate Christmas Blondies With Cream Cheese Frosting
Indulge in the sweet essence of Christmas with these irresistible blondies, boasting a trifecta of indulgent ingredients: white chocolate, sprinkles, and cream cheese frosting. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, requiring only one bowl and a mere five minutes of preparation time before being baked to perfection. Once they’ve cooled, simply frost them with the remaining cream cheese goodness and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
A treat so divine, you won’t need any additional justification!
Old Fashioned Cherry Bars
These festive treats boast a delightful combination of red and green glacé cherries, infusing them with an unmistakable Christmas spirit. The foundation is a crumbly shortbread base that’s both quick and buttery. However, the real showstopper is the filling, where the sweetness of glacé cherries, the nuttiness of dried coconut, the warmth of vanilla, and the crunch of pecans come together in perfect harmony, providing an irresistible mix of textures and flavors.
Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars
When it comes to holiday gatherings, these cranberry crumble pie bars are sure to be a hit. Their unique combination of textures and flavors makes them perfect for sharing at parties and potlucks. A buttery shortbread crust provides a satisfying base, while the sweet-tart cranberry filling adds a burst of flavor. The crumbly almond topping adds a delightful textural element, and a drizzle of orange-flavored icing takes things to the next level by complementing the tart berries nicely.
Salted Caramel Butter Bars
Indulge in the rich, buttery flavor of these addictive butter bars, which boast an irresistible salted caramel filling. The buttery crust comes together quickly and bakes up tenderly, while the caramel component is surprisingly simple: melt caramel candies with cream in the microwave, then pour it over the crust. This clever shortcut ensures a consistently delicious result – just be sure to add that essential touch of salt.
Maple Bacon Blondies
In many households, there’s a universal truth that holds strong: the power of bacon to elevate even the most mundane dishes to new heights. And for us, that mantra is especially true when it comes to sweet treats like these indulgent dessert bars. The harmonious union of maple and bacon creates a match made in culinary heaven. When you combine this winning duo with the richness of a thick, chewy blondie, the result is nothing short of irresistible.
It’s a flavor combination that will leave you reaching for just one more – and then another, and another…
Easy Christmas Tree Brownies
Christmas trees are a staple of the holiday season, but when they’re made from brownies, it’s a game-changer. The rich, fudgy flavor of the brownies is elevated by the festive touch of green peppermint icing and Christmas sprinkles. To create these sweet treats, start by cutting the brownies into triangle shapes. Then, pipe on a layer of icing to resemble the branches of a Christmas tree.
Add some festive flair with sprinkles and finish it off with a candy cane skewer inserted at the bottom to mimic the trunk of the tree.
No-Bake Mint Chocolate Bars
These creamy mint chocolate Nanaimo bars are a breeze to prepare, requiring zero cooking skills or fuss. From the crunchy base to the refreshing mint filling and decadent chocolate glaze, each bite is a delight. Not only do they look stunning, but they’re also incredibly scrumptious. The best part? They can be whipped up in just 20 minutes and refrigerated until ready to serve. Plus, the mint filling can easily be customized with various colors and flavors to suit any taste.
Peppermint Crunch Sugar Cookie Bars
Indulge in the festive magic of peppermint with these scrumptious Christmas treats! The combination of soft, chewy cookie bars, infused with fluffy peppermint frosting, and finished with a crunchy topping made from crushed candy canes or Andes mints for an added layer of minty flavor and chocolatey goodness is nothing short of irresistible. With their moist texture and abundance of peppermint goodness, these sugar cookie bars are sure to become your new holiday favorite.
Peppermint Cheesecake Bars
Craving something extraordinary? Indulge in these show-stopping peppermint cheesecake bars! They boast an irresistible combination of creamy texture, sweet notes, and an abundance of refreshing peppermint flavor. The best part? You only need six ingredients to create this delightful treat.
Although the recipe lacks a traditional base, I’ve found that adding a simple Oreo crumb solves this issue beautifully, providing a visually appealing contrast against the white filling while introducing a delightful chocolatey depth.
Fruitcake Bar Cookies
Indulge in the sweet and satisfying taste of fruitcake bar cookies, perfectly suited for a quick breakfast on-the-go. Simply grab one and head out the door. But these chewy treats aren’t limited to morning hours – they’re also an excellent choice for holiday gatherings, packed as they are with dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar, and warm cinnamon spices. To make preparation even easier, consider utilizing a pre-mixed candied fruit blend, eliminating the need to chop up sticky fruit pieces yourself.
Hello Dolly Bars
Indulge in the sweet surprise of these delectable treats that may not look like traditional festive fare, but more than make up for their appearance with an explosion of flavors and textures. Consisting of a remarkable seven layers, these buttery, gooey, and crispy confections are inspired by the iconic Broadway musical.
The foundation is built on a Graham Cracker crust, which sets the stage for a rich medley of ingredients including condensed milk, chocolate chips, toasted walnuts, and shredded coconut. To give them an extra boost of festive flair, simply add some colorful M&Ms and candied orange peel to create a holiday treat that’s sure to delight.
Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars
This recipe is another great candidate for a holiday makeover. And the best part? It’s already incredibly delicious just the way it is! With only six ingredients and 25 minutes of preparation time, you can whip up these sweet and salty treats in no time. To give them an extra boost of festive flair, consider topping them with Reese’s Pieces or chopped peanut butter cups for a fun and playful touch.
Millionaire’s Shortbread
Indulge in the rich flavors and textures of millionaire’s shortbread, a decadent treat that’s sure to satisfy any sweet craving. This indulgent delight boasts a dense, buttery shortbread crust as its foundation, topped with a sumptuous golden caramel filling and finished with generous helpings of velvety chocolate. Each bite is a masterclass in contrasts, with the crumbly base giving way to the smooth, sticky caramel and the dark, luxurious chocolate.
Whether you’re a self-proclaimed chocoholic or just looking for a sweet escape, millionaire’s shortbread is the perfect solution.
Toffee Bars
Indulge in the rich, velvety goodness of these decadent bars, packed with buttery shortbread, gooey toffee filling, melted chocolate, and crunchy toffee bits. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to prepare! So, go ahead and give them a try – you won’t regret it. And for the recipe, simply click here.
Chewy Chai Bars
Get ready for a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more! These unique treats may not boast a flashy appearance, but they make up for it with an astonishingly warm and spicy taste. The combination of fresh ginger, peppercorns, cloves, crushed cardamom pods, and cinnamon sticks creates a sensory experience like no other. And the texture? It’s a delightful blend of gooey butter bars and rich brownies. What more could you possibly ask for in a treat?
Pumpkin Pie Streusel Bars
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin pie without the hassle of finicky pastry! This show-stopping dessert is made by layering a buttery shortbread base with a luscious pumpkin filling and topping it off with a crunchy brown sugar streusel. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare and serves a crowd, making it perfect for holiday gatherings. Simply mix together the shortbread components, press into a pan, and top with the pumpkin mixture and streusel.
Bake until golden and enjoy the oohs and ahhs from your guests.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Indulge in the sweet and satisfying taste of apple pie without the hassle of baking an entire pie! The solution lies in our stunning salted caramel apple pie bars, which perfectly balance chewiness, softness, sweetness, and crunch. Each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors, from the buttery shortbread crust to the tender apple filling, crunchy streusel topping, and rich salted caramel drizzle.
The crowning glory is the generous pouring of salted caramel, elevating these bars to a truly devilish delight. With each indulgent bite, you’ll understand why this recipe is a must-try!
Slutty Brownies
While it may not have the most family-friendly name, this unique dessert creation is undeniably irresistible. By combining rich chocolate chip cookie dough, crunchy Oreos, and decadent brownie batter in one pan, you’ll be rewarded with an indulgent treat that’s sure to please even the sweetest of toothed enthusiasts. To give it a festive twist, try using flavored Oreos or add a layer of gooey caramel for an added depth of flavor.
Salted Caramel Turtle Fudge Bars
Indulge in this scrumptious treat, featuring a rich chocolate center surrounded by a buttery shortbread crust and topped with a sweet and salty caramel sauce, crunchy pecans, and a hint of indulgence. Unlike traditional fudge recipes, this one adds an extra layer of complexity and texture with its crumbly base, providing a perfect counterbalance to the bold flavor of the chocolate. The combination is nothing short of heavenly, leaving you wanting more with each bite.
Pecan Pie Bars
Indulge in the convenience and deliciousness of these ooey-gooey pecan pie bars, a game-changing alternative to traditional pies. With just three simple steps, you can create a scrumptious treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Simply mix together a shortbread crust and pour it into a pan, then top it with a one-bowl mix-and-pour pecan pie filling.
Finish the bars off by piling them high with crunchy chopped pecans, and for an added touch of indulgence, toss in some chocolate chips because you deserve it!
Cookie Dough Bars
Imagine the sheer delight of cookie dough enthusiasts when they discover this decadent treat. A symphony of textures and flavors awaits, featuring an abundance of chocolate chips and candy pieces that will satisfy even the most ardent sweet tooth.
With its vibrant colors and playful presentation, these indulgent treats are guaranteed to be a showstopper at any Christmas gathering – particularly among the younger crowd, where their irresistible taste and visual appeal will surely win over even the most discerning palates.
