Christmas Bars and Squares So Good They Might Replace Your Cookie Tradition

ByGuido Pasquariello Updated on

I don’t know who decided December needed this many desserts, but here we are—neck-deep in frosting, cookie crumbs, and more Christmas bar and square recipes than one oven can handle.

Somewhere between my fourth batch of “just one more test recipe,” I realized holiday baking is basically a competitive sport.

From the classic Christmas cookie bar to the trendiest easy Christmas square, these dessert bar recipes prove that the best holiday bar recipes are the ones that look impressive but secretly took fifteen minutes and one mixing bowl.

Because honestly, the real holiday miracle is getting through the season without setting off your smoke alarm.

So whether you’re team chocolate overload or team citrus sunshine, this list of Christmas baked goods and winter holiday desserts has something for every sugar-loving soul.

Fair warning: you might need a bigger cookie tin—or, you know, just eat them straight from the pan like a normal person.

Cannoli Cheesecake Bars for a Holiday Dessert Win

A stack of two creamy, yellow Cannoli Cheesecake Bars on a teal plate with a red cloth underneath. Each Christmas Cookie Bar has a thick graham cracker crust and a rich, square cheesecake layer. The top bar is generously topped with swirls of white whipped cream, sprinkled with mini chocolate chips and vibrant green crushed pistachios. The background is blurred with warm, holiday-themed lights, setting a festive and inviting mood for this Holiday Square Recipe.
Click here for the full Cannoli Cheesecake Bars recipe.

Forget your average Christmas cookie bar — these cannoli cheesecake bars are like dessert diplomacy at its finest. The creamy ricotta, orange zest, and pistachios make them taste way fancier than the effort it takes to make them.

Perfect for any holiday baking lineup, this easy bar recipe checks all the boxes: crunchy crust, creamy center, and festive toppings. Basically, it’s the kind of Christmas baked good that makes you look like you actually planned ahead (even if you didn’t).

Mint Chocolate Brownies That Redefine the Holiday Bar Recipe

A close-up shot of a Christmas Bar And Square dessert. The bar has three distinct layers: a dark brown, rich chocolate brownie base; a thick, light mint-green layer of creamy filling; and a smooth, shiny layer of dark chocolate ganache on top. Several of these Holiday Bar Recipe squares are arranged on a piece of white parchment paper inside a wooden tray. The background is softly blurred with a festive, dark setting featuring red berries, pine needles, and a lit candle, suggesting a Winter Holiday Dessert or Christmas Baking Idea.
Click here for the full Mint Chocolate Brownies recipe.

If a Christmas cookie bar and a peppermint patty had a love child, this would be it. These mint chocolate brownies are rich, cool, and unapologetically extra—because your dessert table deserves more than plain old sugar cookies.

The fudgy base and creamy mint layer make this square and bar recipe a winter holiday dessert dream come true. It’s an easy bar recipe that looks like a Christmas baking idea straight out of a fancy café—but tastes even better eaten straight from the fridge.

Zesty Lemon Bars That Brighten Up Any Holiday Baking Spread

A pair of Easy Christmas Square lemon bars are stacked on top of each other on white parchment paper, resting inside a small, light-wood serving dish. Each Dessert Bar Recipe square has a thick, pale shortbread crust layer and a bright yellow, glossy lemon filling layer, all dusted lightly with powdered sugar. The top square is garnished with a small, white flower. The background features festive holiday décor, including pine branches dusted with snow and bright red berries, along with a blurred, lit candle, setting a scene for a Winter Holiday Dessert or Christmas Baking Idea.
Click here for the full Zesty Lemon Bars recipe.

When everyone else shows up with chocolate, these lemon bars crash the party with a burst of sunshine. Sweet, tangy, and unapologetically cheerful, this easy Christmas square proves that not every Christmas bar and square has to taste like cinnamon and cocoa.

The buttery crust and citrus filling make this dessert bar recipe a total holiday baking classic. It’s the kind of Christmas baked good that disappears faster than you can say “just one more,” and honestly, who are we kidding—there’s never just one more.

Seven-Layer Magic Bars That Make Any Holiday Cookie Bar Lineup Shine

A stack of three layered Christmas Cookie Bar squares, likely a variation of a magic bar or seven-layer bar, sits on white parchment paper inside a wooden serving tray. Each Christmas Bar And Square features a buttery crust base topped with layers of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, white shredded coconut, and chopped nuts, with the topmost bar having a visible, toasted nut and coconut topping. The scene is set for a Winter Holiday Dessert with a bright red, snowflake-patterned napkin, pine sprigs, red berries, and warm, blurred candlelight in the background.
Click here for the full Seven-Layer Magic Bars recipe.

These seven-layer wonders are the overachievers of any Christmas baking recipe—gooey, crunchy, sweet, and unapologetically loaded with everything but restraint. One bite and you’ll understand why they basically define holiday bar recipe perfection.

From buttery crust to coconut topping, every layer screams festive excess in the best way possible. This square and bar recipe is the ultimate Christmas baked good for anyone who believes dessert should be a full-contact sport.

Brown Butter Cranberry Blondies That Belong in Every Holiday Cookie Bar Box

A vertical stack of three Christmas Cookie Bar squares, likely made with a blondie base, are presented on white parchment paper in a light wooden tray. These Holiday Bar Recipe squares are studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, and the stack is dusted with powdered sugar, with a few extra white chocolate chips resting on the top bar. The dessert is set in a festive, winter holiday scene with a red snowflake-patterned napkin, loose cranberries, pine sprigs, a small pine cone, and blurred warm twinkle lights in the background, making it a perfect Christmas Baking Idea or Winter Holiday Dessert.
Click here for the full Brown Butter Cranberry Blondies recipe.

These brown butter cranberry blondies are proof that holiday baking doesn’t have to mean dusting everything in peppermint or cinnamon. With nutty butter, tart cranberries, and melty white chocolate, they’re basically the adult upgrade to your childhood cookie obsession.

Perfect for any Christmas bar and square lineup, this easy bar recipe nails that chewy-meets-crisp texture every baker dreams of. It’s a Christmas baked good so good, you’ll start inventing excuses to “taste test” the edges—strictly for quality control, of course.

Gingerbread Blondies That Turn Any Square Recipe into Pure Holiday Magic

A generous pile of small, spiced Christmas Bar And Square gingerbread or pumpkin spice bars is nestled in a wooden bowl lined with white parchment paper. Each Holiday Bar Recipe square is a golden brown color, lightly dusted with cinnamon sugar, and drizzled with a zigzag pattern of white icing or glaze. The bowl sits on a festive surface with a red, snowflake-patterned napkin, and the background is decorated with holiday accents like red berries, pine sprigs, and a warm, blurred candlelight glow, suggesting a perfect Winter Holiday Dessert or Christmas Baking Idea.
Click here for the full Gingerbread Blondies recipe.

These gingerbread blondies are the overachievers of holiday baking—buttery, spiced, and finished with a white chocolate drizzle that screams “I totally planned this.” Think of them as the cozy cousin of your favorite Christmas cookie bar, just way more sophisticated.

Packed with warm spices and a hit of molasses, this easy bar recipe tastes like everything December should be. It’s a Christmas baked good that smells so good while baking, you’ll start Googling “scented candle version” before it even cools.

Maple Pecan Pie Bars That Deserve a Spot in Every Holiday Square Recipe Collection

A close-up vertical stack of two Christmas Bar And Square pecan bars sits on a small piece of white parchment paper within a wooden serving dish. Each Holiday Bar Recipe square features a buttery crust layered with a thick, glossy, caramel-pecan filling that is topped with chopped pecans and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt. The background is blurred with a warm, festive glow from a lit candle and hints of red berries and green pine, suggesting a delicious Winter Holiday Dessert or Christmas Baking Recipe.
Click here for the full Maple Pecan Pie Bars recipe.

These maple pecan pie bars take all the best parts of a classic pie—sticky, buttery, nutty bliss—and skip the drama of rolling out dough. It’s the holiday bar recipe you make once and then wonder why you ever bothered with an actual pie plate.

Sweet, salty, and unapologetically indulgent, this easy bar recipe is the ultimate Christmas baking idea for dessert lovers with zero chill. Every bite feels like a warm hug from your Southern aunt—minus the “when are you getting married?” interrogation.

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars That Redefine the Holiday Cookie Bar Game

A close-up shot of two stacked Christmas Cookie Bar squares, likely raspberry almond crumble bars. Each Christmas Bar And Square has a light crust, a thick layer of dark red, jewel-toned raspberry jam filling, and a buttery crumble topping sprinkled with slivered almonds. The stack rests on a piece of white parchment paper in a wooden tray, surrounded by fresh raspberries, a red snowflake napkin, and blurred holiday lights and pine sprigs in the background, perfect for a Winter Holiday Dessert or Christmas Baking Idea.
Click here for the full Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars recipe.

If buttery shortbread, sweet jam, and a crunchy almond topping don’t scream Christmas bar and square perfection, we don’t know what does. It’s basically your grandma’s holiday bar recipe—only you get full credit and none of the flour cleanup.

Crispy edges, gooey raspberry filling, and a crumbly top make this easy Christmas square the poster child for holiday baking. Honestly, they’re so addictive you might “accidentally” forget to share them at your next winter holiday dessert party.

Eggnog Cheesecake Bars That Turn Any Holiday Baking Session Into a Party

Three thick Christmas Bar And Square cheesecake bars are arranged on a dark green plate next to a silver fork. Each Dessert Bar Recipe square has a dense, dark chocolate or gingerbread crust layer topped with a creamy white cheesecake layer, finished with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of spice (such as cinnamon or nutmeg). The dark, moody background includes festive elements like a red and white snowflake napkin, pine sprigs, red berries, and a soft, blurred candlelight glow, perfect for a Winter Holiday Dessert or Christmas Baked Good.
Click here for the full Eggnog Cheesecake Bars recipe.

These eggnog cheesecake bars are what happens when your holiday bar recipe gets a PhD in cozy decadence. The silky filling, spiced gingersnap crust, and hint of rum extract basically scream “I’m fancier than your average Christmas cookie bar.”

It’s an easy bar recipe that looks like you spent hours—because presentation counts when you’re showing off your Christmas baking idea. Plus, they double as a winter holiday dessert and a convenient excuse to keep “taste-testing” before guests arrive.

Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars That Make Every Holiday Bar Recipe Feel Fancy

A stack of three classic Millionaire's Christmas Bar And Square shortbread is presented on a small, dark green plate with gold trim. Each Dessert Bar Recipe features three distinct layers: a thick, light-colored shortbread base, a smooth layer of caramel, and a thin, glossy dark chocolate layer on top, all sprinkled with coarse sea salt. The bars are part of a festive Winter Holiday Dessert scene, which includes a red and white snowflake napkin, blurred red berries, and a lit candle in the background.
Click here for the full Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars recipe.

This Christmas baked good doesn’t need a trust fund to live up to its name—it’s buttery, gooey, and unapologetically over the top. Think holiday cookie bar meets caramel luxury, with just enough chocolate to make you feel like you’re celebrating something important (like Tuesday).

It’s the square and bar recipe your dessert table didn’t know it needed: a Christmas baking recipe so rich it practically jingles. Slice them small if you must, but let’s be honest—you’re going back for seconds before the carols even start.

Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread for the Ultimate Holiday Cookie Bar

An overhead shot of several rectangular shortbread Christmas Cookie Bar pieces scattered across a piece of parchment paper on a wooden board. The Christmas Bar And Square pieces are light-colored and dense, studded throughout with bits of bright green pistachios and dark red dried cranberries, creating a festive color palette. Crumbs, loose nuts, and cranberries are visible around the bars, which are ready for a Holiday Baking display. A red snowflake-patterned napkin and small red berries frame the corner of the image, emphasizing the Winter Holiday Dessert theme.
Click here for the full Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread recipe.

This Christmas baked good looks like it raided Santa’s color palette—bright cranberries, green pistachios, and a buttery shortbread base that basically screams “I taste like the holidays.” It’s the kind of holiday bar recipe that makes store-bought cookies feel deeply uninvited.

Crisp, nutty, and just sweet enough, this easy Christmas square doubles as edible décor for your dessert tray. The best part? It’s an easy bar recipe you can make ahead, freeze, or “taste-test” way too many times—pure holiday baking magic.

Mocha Tiramisu Blondies to Level Up Your Holiday Baking Game

A collection of individual Christmas Bar And Square tiramisu pieces is presented in a wooden tray lined with white parchment paper. Each Dessert Bar Recipe square features a dark base, a thick layer of creamy white mascarpone, and a generous dusting of cocoa powder on top. Two of the squares are stacked, drawing focus. The tray is set against a festive Winter Holiday Dessert background, which includes a red snowflake napkin, a silver fork, a cup of coffee, and blurred hints of pine sprigs, red berries, and warm candlelight.
Click here for the full Mocha Tiramisu Blondies recipe.

This Christmas baking recipe is basically what happens when a blondie and tiramisu fall in love during the holidays—and yes, it’s as dangerously addictive as it sounds. With espresso-soaked biscuits, rich ganache, and a whipped cream top, it’s your new holiday bar recipe to brag about.

Perfect for anyone who thinks coffee counts as a personality trait, this square and bar recipe delivers that classy winter holiday dessert vibe without the fuss. It’s an easy bar recipe that tastes fancy enough to fool your guests—because caffeine and chocolate never need justification.

Almond Frangipane Blondies for a Nutty Holiday Twist

An overhead shot of several golden brown Christmas Bar And Square pieces, likely almond or frangipane bars, cut into neat squares. The Christmas Baking Recipe bars are topped with toasted slivered almonds and a dusting of white powdered sugar. They are arranged on parchment paper in a square pan or tray. The surrounding setting includes festive elements like a lit candle, an orange, red berries, and pine sprigs, suggesting a sweet Winter Holiday Dessert or Christmas Baked Good.
Click here for the full Almond Frangipane Blondies recipe.

These blondies are basically the lovechild of a Christmas cookie bar and a fancy almond tart, making them a must for any holiday baking spread, with a dreamy frangipane layer swirled into a chewy easy Christmas square.

Perfect for people who want to look sophisticated without actually trying, this dessert bar recipe combines almond flour, sliced almonds, and a subtle orange zest for a winter holiday dessert that’s as effortless as it is impressive.

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Ciao!👋 I'm Guido Pasquariello, Italian heart, global appetite — mixing authentic Italian flavors, bold ethnic twists, and a love for American food (with a pinch of sarcasm). Read here to learn more about Why Italians.

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