Description

These festive Christmas bars combine a crunchy graham cracker base with rich chocolate, sweet marshmallows, and chewy condensed milk for a delightful holiday treat. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a warm drink, they offer a satisfying mix of textures and flavors that celebrate the season.

Ingredients

Scale

Base and Dry Ingredients

2 cups (200 g) graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted (or ¾ cup (150 g) melted coconut oil for dairy-free option)
1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk

Mix-ins

3 cups (150 g) mini marshmallows
1½ cups (270 g) chocolate chips (milk, dark or white)
½ cup (60 g) chopped nuts (optional; walnuts or pecans)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking for the Christmas bars.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together graham cracker crumbs, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar until well combined and any lumps are broken up.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted butter and sweetened condensed milk into the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is thick, sticky, and fully blended.
Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts if using. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the marshmallows’ fluffiness and even distribution of ingredients.
Spread and Bake: Evenly spread the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan using a spatula to smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until edges are set and the center is slightly firm.
Cool and Cut: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into bite-sized squares for serving.

Notes

Ensure butter is fully melted for a smooth, even mixture.
Use non-stick spray or line the baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Cooling completely before cutting prevents crumbling and ensures clean bars.
Customize with different mix-ins like dried fruit or coconut for unique variations.
Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and chewiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas bars, holiday dessert, chocolate bars, marshmallow bars, festive treats, holiday baking, graham cracker dessert