Christmas Brookies

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These Christmas brookies are a fudgy, festive and easy twist on the classic brownie-cookie.They start with a rich brownie base (from a box mix!), then get topped with a soft and chewy cookie layer packed with Christmas sprinkles and M&Ms. The whole thing bakes up into gooey, colorful layers that are fun without being fussy. They’re hust what you need for a busy season. Whether you’re heading to a cookie swap, planning holiday treats for friends, or bringing something sweet to a Christmas party, these bars are the kind of Christmas party desserts everyone will be asking about.

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Ingredients for Christmas Brookies

Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch of these easy layered brookies. I love using boxed brownie mix and simple ingredients to keep this recipe stress-free.

For the brownie layer:

1 box (18–19 oz) brownie mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as called for on the box)

For the cookie layer:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional, but tasty!)
1/2 cup red and green M&Ms (plus a few extra for pressing on top)
1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles (jimmies work best)

How to Make Christmas Brookies

1. Prep your pan and oven.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (or line it with parchment paper for easier cleanup).

2. Make the brownie base.
Prepare the brownie batter according to the instructions on the box. Spread evenly in your prepared pan.

3. Par-bake the brownie layer.
Bake the brownie layer for 15–20 minutes so it’s set but not fully baked.

brownie batter in a pan lined with parchment paper

4. Make the cookie dough.
Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, then mix in the egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until dough forms. Fold in chocolate chips, sprinkles, and M&Ms (saving a few M&Ms for topping).

egg and vanilla mixed with butter and sugar

M&Ms and sprinkles folded into cookie dough

5. Layer the cookie dough on top.
Drop spoonfuls of dough over the brownies. No need to spread; it will spread as it bakes.

6. Bake and top with M&Ms.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, then sprinkle the reserved M&Ms on top. Continue baking another 15–20 minutes until golden on top and just set.

cookie dough dolloped on top of par-baked brownies

par-baked brookies with additional M&Ms sprinkled on top

7. Cool and slice.
Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Christmas brookies sliced into squares

Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Brookies

Make sure you partially bake your brownie layer before adding the cookie dough layer on top. This ensures that your brownie layer and cookie layer are distinct from one another, rather than baking into one another. Also, the cookie dough layer will bake faster than the brownie layer, so you want to give those brownies a head start.
Chill before slicing if you want neat edges. Pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes for cleaner cuts.
This is part of the instructions too, but I wanted to add it here. Saving a handful of M&Ms to sprinkle on top of your half-baked cookie dough layer adds a pretty touch in the end. If you forget, your bookies will still taste the same, of course! This is purely aesthetic.
Pick out the red and green M&Ms. You can usually find holiday packs close to Christmas. In case you can’t find them, however, you should be able to buy a bag of the “sharing” size and just pick out the red and green ones. Usually, there are enough red and green in one bag. If you really struggle to get enough red and blue, you could also pick out other colors and just make sure those colors get buried in the bottom and middle of your cookie layer. Then, press the red and green ones on the top to ensure they stick out.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! These brookies can be made 1–2 days in advance. Store tightly covered at room temperature, or freeze for up to 2 months.

What kind of brownie mix should I use?
Any boxed brownie mix works, but I prefer “fudgy” for that gooey texture.

Can I double the cookie layer?
You sure can, but your brookies will be thicker and may need an extra 5–10 minutes in the oven. Just keep an eye on the top and check with a toothpick for doneness.

What if I don’t have sprinkles?
No worries! These bars are still delicious without them. You can add extra M&Ms or leave them as a chocolate chip cookie top instead.

There’s something about layered desserts that always feels a little extra special, and these Christmas brookies are no exception. With their rich chocolate brownie base, chewy cookie top, and pops of red and green, they’re festive, fun, and just the kind of holiday treats that make a dessert table shine. Plus, they’re simple to make with a boxed mix, so you can spend less time baking and more time enjoying the season.

If you’re searching for fun Christmas desserts or Christmas party desserts that are sure to impress without adding stress, these brookies are it. Add them to your holiday baking list, you’ll want to make them every year!