If you are looking for a truly festive and delicious treat to brighten up your holiday celebrations, look no further than this Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe. These cookie bars are the perfect combination of soft, chewy, and colorful fun, combining the ease of a cake mix with the joyful addition of holiday-themed chocolate chips and sprinkles. It is a wonderfully quick recipe that delivers a superb blend of buttery richness and playful sweetness, making it a crowd-pleaser for family gatherings or cozy nights by the fire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple list of ingredients comes together quickly but each one plays an important role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and festive look of the cookie bars. Whether it’s the cake mix providing a tender crumb or the holiday sprinkles adding a pop of fun color, these ingredients are your secret to success.
- Yellow or vanilla cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): This provides the base with a sweet, tender crumb that bakes beautifully.
- Unsalted butter, melted (1/2 cup): Adds richness and helps bind the dough for chewy bars.
- Large eggs (2): These create structure and moisture for a perfectly set cookie bar.
- Holiday-colored chocolate chips or M&Ms (1 cup): Bursting with festive color and pockets of chocolatey goodness.
- White chocolate chips (1/2 cup, optional): A creamy sweet contrast that complements the other mix-ins beautifully.
- Holiday sprinkles (1/3 cup): They add a cheerful crunch and that unmistakable holiday vibe.
How to Make Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), the perfect temperature for even baking. Then, line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or apply a generous coating of grease. This ensures your cookie bars will come out easily and keep their lovely shape.
Step 2: Mix the Base Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. Stir until everything is fully incorporated into a thick dough. The beauty here is you’re starting with a box cake mix but transforming it into something entirely new and festive!
Step 3: Add the Festive Mix-Ins
Gently fold in the holiday-colored chocolate chips, optional white chocolate chips, and sprinkles. These little pops of color and sweetness will be spread throughout each bite, turning ordinary bars into a holiday celebration of flavor.
Step 4: Press the Dough Into the Pan
Transfer the dough to your prepared pan and use a spatula or your hands to spread it evenly across, pressing it down firmly so the bars hold together after baking. This step will ensure uniform thickness for an even bake.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Bake in your preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll want to bake just until the edges are golden and the center is fully set but still soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars from drying out.
Step 6: Cool Completely and Slice
Allow the cookie bars to cool fully in the pan. This cooling time is key because it helps the bars firm up and makes cutting them into neat pieces much easier. Then slice into 20 squares and enjoy!
How to Serve Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
These cookie bars are delightful on their own, but you can elevate the presentation by sprinkling a few extra holiday sprinkles on top just before serving or drizzle with a bit of melted white or dark chocolate for an elegant touch that still keeps the festive spirit.
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a glass of cold milk, a rich cup of hot cocoa, or even a festive coffee latte. The creamy drinks complement the buttery, chocolatey flavors in the bars perfectly and make for a cozy holiday treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, arrange the cookie bars on a beautiful serving platter garnished with fresh holly leaves or candy canes for extra cheer. You can also individually wrap bars in cellophane tied with colorful ribbons to give as charming homemade gifts that everyone will appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay moist and flavorful for up to 3 days, making them perfect for prepping ahead of a party or sweetening up your workweek snacks.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
Reheating
To bring out that fresh-baked warmth, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or heat in a low oven for a few minutes. The slight warmth makes the chocolate melty and the texture even more irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cake mix for this Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe?
Absolutely! While yellow or vanilla cake mix works beautifully for a classic flavor, feel free to experiment with funfetti, chocolate, or spice cake mixes to create unique variations suited to your taste.
What if I don’t have holiday-colored chocolate chips?
No worries! You can use regular chocolate chips or substitute with chopped nuts, dried fruit, or any candy pieces you enjoy to keep the bars festive and tasty.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
If you use a gluten-free cake mix, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Just be sure to double-check that all other mix-ins like sprinkles and chocolate chips are also gluten-free.
How thick should the bars be before baking?
When pressed evenly in the 9×13-inch pan, the dough should form about a 1/2-inch thick layer, which ensures even baking and the perfect chewy texture throughout.
Are these cookie bars suitable for holiday gift-giving?
Definitely! Wrapped neatly, these colorful and tasty cookie bars make a thoughtful homemade gift that friends, family, and coworkers will love receiving during the holidays.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about how simple ingredients and a little creativity come together in this Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe. It’s the perfect treat to make and share during the festive season, guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfied sweet tooths. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how holiday celebrations were ever complete without them!
Print
Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Holiday Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a festive and easy-to-make treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with a yellow or vanilla cake mix and loaded with colorful holiday chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles, these bars are chewy, buttery, and full of holiday cheer. They are baked until golden and set, then cut into perfect squares for sharing at parties or enjoying as a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or vanilla cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup holiday-colored chocolate chips or M&Ms
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/3 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well to prevent sticking.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the yellow or vanilla cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and eggs. Stir well until the dough is thick and uniform.
- Add mix-ins: Gently fold in the holiday-colored chocolate chips or M&Ms, white chocolate chips if using, and holiday sprinkles to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Press into pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Press the dough firmly into the pan to create an even layer.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Cut into 20 bars and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute the holiday-colored chocolate chips with any favorite chocolate chips or candy pieces for a customized look.
- For easier removal, let the bars cool fully and use the parchment paper paper sling to lift the bars out of the pan.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze them for longer storage.
- If white chocolate chips are not available or preferred, simply omit them without affecting the texture.
