Christmas Brownie Bars - Irresistible Holiday Treats

There's something about the festive sparkle of colorful candies and rich chocolate that makes this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe truly irresistible. It’s like a holiday party in every bite, layered with gooey sweetness and crunchy surprise. Trust me, these bars bring all the cozy vibes to your kitchen.

The image shows a stack of three thick, square-shaped brownies on a white marbled surface. Each brownie has two layers: the bottom layer is a dark brown, smooth and dense chocolate base, while the top layer is lighter with a mixture of red, green, and white candy pieces scattered evenly, adding a rough texture and colorful look. There are extra green and red candy pieces spread around the base of the stack. The top layer looks slightly melted around the candies, with a mix of colors blending subtly in places. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe has become my go-to festive dessert because it’s the perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, and sweet. Every layer adds a new texture, and the holiday colors make it feel extra special without any fancy fuss.

Multi-layer magic: Each layer from brownies to coconut to M&Ms builds incredible festive flavor and texture.
Easy to make: You only need one pan and simple ingredients, yet it looks like a showstopper on the dessert table.
Customizable fun: You can swap nuts or candies to match your family’s favorite flavors and allergies.
Perfect for gifting: Cut into bars, wrapped up, and you’ve got a handmade holiday treat everyone will adore.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe plays a part in building that irresistible holiday treat. Think of it like a little orchestra where chocolate, nuts, and coconut harmonize perfectly.

Flat lay of a small mound of shiny semi-sweet chocolate chips, a stick of salted butter with a smooth surface, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, two large brown eggs with clean shells, one additional large egg yolk in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a small pile of whole mixed nuts including walnuts and pecans, a small white bowl containing bright mini holiday M&M candies in red, green, and white, a separate small white bowl with regular sized holiday M&Ms in festive colors, a small white bowl of shiny semi-sweet chocolate chips, a neat pile of sweetened flaked coconut, a small white bowl filled with glossy sweetened condensed milk, and a small white bowl with colorful holiday sprinkles — all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: These melt smoothly in the batter and add deep chocolate flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
Salted butter: The salted variety gives a subtle savory kick that balances the rich sweetness.
Granulated sugar: Essential for that classic brownie chew and slight crisp edges.
Eggs and egg yolk: Provide structure and moisture, helping the bars stay fudgy but not dense.
All-purpose flour: The backbone that holds everything together without weighing down the batter.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, rounding out the chocolate’s intensity.
Nuts (optional): I use pecans or walnuts for a crunchy contrast, but feel free to leave them out or substitute.
Mini holiday M&Ms and regular holiday M&Ms: These festive candies add bursts of color and sweet pops that scream Christmas.
Sweetened flaked coconut: Brings chewy texture and a touch of tropical flair.
Sweetened condensed milk: This gooey layer binds everything with luscious sweetness, giving the bars a magic, almost caramel-like layer.
Holiday sprinkles: For that final sparkling festive touch you can’t resist.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Over the years, I’ve learned that swapping out nuts or candies doesn’t just work — it’s actually kind of fun to make it uniquely yours.

Variation: I once made these with toasted almonds instead of walnuts, which added a lovely depth and crunch that folks loved at a party.
Nut-free option: Simply omit the nuts and add extra M&Ms or sprinkles for that festive look without the allergens.
Jewish holiday twist: Use pareve chocolate chips and skip the dairy butter for a kosher-friendly version without losing the magic.
Extra fudgy: For a richer bar, sprinkle a layer of brownie batter chocolate chips right before the first bake.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

The image shows a grid of square dessert bars laid close together on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two clear layers: a dark brown, dense base that looks soft and moist, and a thick white layer on top that is covered with bright red and green round candies, small chocolate pieces, and red, green, and white sprinkles that add a festive look. The top layer is colorful and textured, with the candies scattered unevenly but filling each square well. Some of the candies are broken or partially embedded, adding more texture to the surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melting Magic

Start by melting the salted butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips together in a microwave-safe bowl. I do this in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each, so the chocolate melts smooth without burning. It’s a simple trick but saves a lot of headaches—and burnt chocolate never tastes good.

Step 2: Mixing It Up

Once your chocolate mixture is silky smooth, beat in the sugar, eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla. Make sure you mix until everything is well combined but avoid overmixing the flour once you add it. Overdoing it can toughen the bars, and we want soft, fudgy layers, not chewy.

Step 3: First Bake & Layer Love

Pour the batter into a prepared 9-inch pan lined with foil or parchment. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Don’t worry if the top jiggles a bit—that’s perfect! It means it’s still gooey underneath and ready for those dreamy layers.

Step 4: Top It Off

After that first bake, you’ll create the layered topping: nuts, half the chocolate chips, half the M&Ms, and all the coconut. Then pour on the sweetened condensed milk evenly, so every bite gets that creamy, sweet touch. Finish with the rest of the chocolate chips, M&Ms, and sprinkles for that wow factor before the final bake.

Step 5: Final Bake & Cool

Bake an additional 25 minutes until the edges are golden and the middle sets up just right. If you notice the top browning too quickly, I usually tent it with foil to keep those festive colors bright. Let the bars cool completely before slicing for clean edges and the best texture.

Top Tip

From countless holiday baking sessions, I’ve learned a few key tricks to perfect your Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe every time. These might save you some stress and get you to the festive cheers a lot faster!

Use room temperature eggs: I always take my eggs out early to blend smoothly into the batter without clumps or curdling.
Don’t skip the parchment: Lining your pan makes it much easier to lift out bars cleanly without breaking them apart.
Let it cool fully: It’s tempting to dig in right away, but cooling lets the layers set so your bars hold together beautifully when you slice them.
Watch the oven carefully: Holiday candies can burn if the top browns too fast—use foil to tent if needed.

How to Serve Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

Christmas Brownie Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a few extra mini M&Ms or holiday-themed sprinkles on top right before serving for an extra pop of color and a little crunch. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a snowy, festive touch that feels so seasonal and cozy.

Side Dishes

These bars pair perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm cup of hot cocoa. For holiday brunches, I’ve served them alongside fruit salad and peppermint-flavored coffee—it’s a crowd-pleasing combo that balances sweetness with freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday party, I arrange these bars on a festive platter lined with pine sprigs and cranberries. Wrapping individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine also makes for charming gifts or potluck treats that everyone will admire before tasting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They stay delightfully moist without getting sticky or too hard—perfect when you want a quick holiday dessert on hand.

Freezing

If you want to prep in advance, these bars freeze beautifully. Just cut into squares, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and freeze in a sealed bag or container. They thaw overnight in the fridge and taste just like fresh-baked.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, pop a bar in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until soft and gooey again. Just be careful not to overheat, or the candy layers might melt too much and get messy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of chocolate chips in the Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe?

Absolutely! You can swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate based on your preference. Just keep in mind that milder chocolates might make the bars sweeter, so adjust other sugars accordingly if you like.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can make a gluten-free version by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. I recommend a blend that already contains xanthan gum for better texture. Just watch the baking time, as gluten-free flour sometimes changes how quickly the brownies set.

Are nuts necessary in the Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe?

Nuts add a lovely crunch and balance the sweetness, but they’re completely optional. If you have allergies or preferences, feel free to skip them or replace with extra coconut or candy.

How do I prevent the candy toppings from burning?

Cover the baking pan loosely with foil if you notice the top browning too quickly during the second bake. The foil helps reflect heat and prevents the candies and sprinkles from burning while allowing the bars to cook fully.

Final Thoughts

I truly adore this Christmas Layer Brownie Bars Recipe because it captures the fun and warmth of the holiday season in a single pan. It's one of those recipes that makes me feel like a kid again—giddy about colorful treats and chocolatey goodness. I hope you try it and share with family and friends, creating sweet memories just like I do every year.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way