Christmas Magic Cookie Barsare made with simple ingredients you most likely already have on hand! Perfect for last-minute holiday baking and eating.

Three Christmas Magic Cookie Bar squares on a white plate next to a glass of milk and a full pan of bars.

When it comes to treats to share, I’m all about something that’s easy to put together with ingredients I have on hand. Christmas Magic Cookie Bars are just the kind of thing I’m talking about.

These simple treats are extra addictive though, and just the kind of thing you’ll want to take somewhere, so you aren’t tempted to eat the whole pan yourself. Part of the “magic” of this recipe is that you can customize them however you like.

salted caramel pretzel barkand theseRitz Cookies (no-bake), too.

Add these to a goodie plate along with someChristmas Peanut Butter CookiesandVanilla Melt Aways. Or pair them with a couple no-bake treats such asSalted Caramel Pretzel BarkandChocolate-Covered Fluffernutter Cookies.

Three square Christmas Magic Cookie Bars stacked in a pile on a white plate with the full pan of bars in the background.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s asuper easyChristmas cookie recipe – all made in one pan!
Theingredients are flexible– you can change it up to what you have on-hand.
Can customize it to any holidayby changing up the color of M&Ms you top these cookie bars with.

Recipe Ingredients

Butter
Graham cracker crumbs:Can crush whole graham crackers or buy the crumbs in the box.
Sweetened condensed milk
Chocolate chips:Semi-sweet has a good balance but you could use milk or dark if you wanted.
Shredded coconut
Chopped pecans
M&Ms:Option but the Christmas colored M&Ms add a festive touch.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

Nuts:If you don’t have pecans or don’t like them, you can use any nuts. Chopped walnuts and almonds would also be good in these cookie bars.
Chocolate chips:Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are wonderful but you could also swap them out for toffee pieces or butterscotch chips or do a mix of any of these.
M&Ms:You don’t have to use M&Ms but they are a fun way to dress them up. You could also use holiday sprinkles for a touch of color.

How to Make Christmas Magic Cookie Bars

Step #1.Melt the butter and put it in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step #2.Add the graham cracker crumbs on top of the butter.
Step #3.Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs.
Step #4.Spread the rest of the ingredients evenly over the top and press down.
Step #5.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Step #6.Cut the bars after they have cooled completely.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of pan should I put these Christmas cookie bars in?

A 9×13-inch baking pan with a cover is the best pan to make Christmas cookie bars in because you can store them easily in the pan and transport them anywhere.

How do you crush whole graham crackers?

If you don’t have a box of graham cracker crumbs, you can crush one sleeve of graham crackers in a food processor and pulsed them until they are fine crumbs or put them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to break them down into crumbs.

Where should I take Christmas Magic Cookie Bars?

Christmas Magic Cookie Bars work well for all kinds of holiday parties, post caroling get-togethers, and church Christmas functions. They are also wonderful additions to a dessert bar or goodie plate because they are so easy to make!

Top view of a full pan of Christmas Magic Cookie Bars in a clear glass baking pan.

Expert Tips

If you don’t have graham cracker crumbs,you can crush one package/sleeve of graham crackers for the bottom layer.
Make this recipe a day or two ahead of timewhen you have time to make serving a treat easier.
If youchange up some of the ingredients(like the coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts), be sure toreplace them with roughly equal amounts of whatever you’re addingin so the bars will still hold together.