There’s something utterly magical about the holidays, especially when you bite into rich, fudgy layers of chocolaty goodness. This Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe combines decadent brownie layers with festive M&Ms, coconut, and sprinkles—making it a showstopper on any dessert table.

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 Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This isn’t just any holiday brownie bar—it’s layers of chocolate and holiday cheer packed into one irresistible treat. I love how it’s both festive and comforting, perfect for sharing with family or bringing to a holiday party. Once you make it, it’s hard not to come back for seconds (or thirds!).

Multiple Layers of Flavor: From fudgy brownie to sweetened condensed milk and coconut, each bite offers a new texture and taste.
Festive and Fun: Holiday M&Ms and sprinkles not only add color but bring the perfect crunch and nostalgia.
Great for Gifting: Cut into squares and wrapped up, these bars make a heartfelt, homemade gift everyone appreciates.
Simple to Make: Despite the layered look, this recipe comes together quickly with everyday ingredients you probably already have.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe plays a special role—bringing that classic fudgy brownie base, rich chocolate flavor, and festive textures that feel like a holiday hug on your tongue.

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: Melted with butter, they create that glossy chocolate base full of depth—don’t skimp on quality here.
Salted butter: Adds richness and balances the sweetness beautifully; salt helps enhance all the chocolate flavors.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create that tender yet chewy texture brownies are loved for.
Eggs and egg yolk: Give structure and keep the brownies moist and luscious—extra yolk means richer bars.
All-purpose flour: The foundational binding agent that keeps everything together without weighing down the bars.
Vanilla extract: Just a hint boosts all the chocolate flavors and adds warmth.
Nuts (optional): For crunch and a nutty contrast to the soft layers—totally optional but I love the texture they bring.
Holiday M&Ms (mini and regular): These candy-coated chocolates add festive pops of color and a slightly crisp bite.
Sweetened flaked coconut: Adds a chewy, tropical surprise that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
Sweetened condensed milk: This rich, gooey layer melts into the coconut and chocolate, making the bars extra decadent.
Holiday sprinkles: The finishing touch for festive sparkle and crunch—a must for season’s greetings!

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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 my favorite things about this Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your own tastes or dietary needs—everyone in my family has their favorite variation!

Nut-Free Variation: I’ve made it without nuts many times, simply doubling the M&Ms or adding chopped pretzels for crunch—still delicious and kid-friendly.
Extra Chocolatey: For chocoholics, try folding in chunks of your favorite dark chocolate bar into the brownie layer before baking.
Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend; it works beautifully and keeps the texture intact.
Festive Themes: Depending on the holiday, swap sprinkles and candy colors—red and green for Christmas or blues and silvers for winter celebrations.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Chocolate 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: Melt the Chocolate and Butter

I start by placing the butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Keep microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until everything’s smooth and glossy. This step is key—don’t rush it or use too high heat or the chocolate can seize. Stirring in intervals helps keep it silky.

Step 2: Mix in Sugar, Eggs, and Flour

Next, beat in the sugar until fully combined, then add the vanilla, eggs, and extra egg yolk. Once that’s smooth, gently fold in the flour just until you don’t see any dry spots. Overmixing will give you tougher brownies, so be gentle and patient here.

Step 3: Bake the Brownie Base

Pour the batter into a foil or parchment-lined, greased 9-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. The brownies will still jiggle slightly but will be mostly set on top—that’s perfect for the layers to come.

Step 4: Add the Fun Layers

Once out of the oven, layer on the nuts first (if using), then half of the chocolate chips and half the holiday M&Ms. Sprinkle the shredded coconut evenly over the top. Next, pour the sweetened condensed milk slowly and spread it gently with a spatula so it coats everything evenly without disturbing the toppings.

Step 5: Top and Finish Baking

Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, M&Ms, and finally the festive holiday sprinkles evenly over the top. Bake for an extra 25 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the center is set—tent with foil if you notice the top browning ahead of time. Then, cool completely before slicing for neat squares.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few simple tricks that make baking this Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe even more foolproof and delicious—these little touches really elevate your results!

Even Melting: Be patient melting your chocolate and butter in bursts with stirring—it keeps the mixture smooth and glossy every time.
Don’t Overmix Flour: Fold the flour in gently to avoid dense brownies—light and fudgy is what you want here.
Layer with Care: Spread the sweetened condensed milk slowly and gently to maintain the distinct layers—this makes all the difference in texture and presentation.
Cooling is Crucial: Make sure the bars cool completely before you cut them for clean squares and to let the layers set perfectly.

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe

Christmas Brownie Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a dusting of powdered sugar or an extra sprinkle of holiday-colored nonpareils on top before serving. Sometimes, I add a little dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent touch that’s always a hit with guests.

Side Dishes

These bars pair perfectly with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a festive spiced latte. If you’re serving at a holiday party, a platter of fresh fruit or a simple citrus salad balances the richness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the bars in a decorative tin with parchment paper between layers as a gift. For a dessert buffet, I like to arrange individual bars on festive plates with a sprig of rosemary or a candy cane beside each for a whimsical holiday vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep beautifully for up to a week, staying moist yet firm enough to hold their layers without getting soggy.

Freezing

These brownie bars freeze wonderfully! I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I pull one out for a treat, it thaws in about an hour at room temp with little loss in texture.

Reheating

If you want warm brownie bars, I gently reheat single portions in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. It brings back that melty chocolate feeling without drying out the bars—just watch carefully to avoid overheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips?

You can, but semi-sweet or dark chocolate provides better balance with the sweetness from the M&Ms and sweetened condensed milk. Milk chocolate makes the bars sweeter and may affect the texture slightly.

What if I don’t have sweetened condensed milk?

Sweetened condensed milk is key to the gooey, rich layer in this recipe. If you can’t find it, you could try making your own with milk and sugar, but the bars won’t have quite the same shine and texture.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

This Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe uses eggs and butter, so it’s not vegan as is. However, you can experiment with vegan butter and egg replacers, but the texture and richness may differ.

How do I cut these bars cleanly without making a mess?

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. For even cleaner cuts, chill the bars in the fridge for at least an hour to let the layers set firmly before slicing.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Chocolate Layer Brownie Bars Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen traditions—it’s the kind of dessert that instantly sparks joy and gets everyone gathered around the table. Trust me, once you make this for your loved ones, it’ll be requested year after year. So go ahead, give it a try, and add that extra sparkle to your holiday celebrations!