36 Cookie Bar Recipes for Any Occasion

When you need a treat that’s easy to share and always a hit, cookie bar recipes are the way to go. They’re simple to make, great for gatherings, and don’t require the fuss of shaping individual cookies.

With so many flavors to pick from, you’ll find plenty of cookie bar ideas to fit any occasion. From rich chocolate chip bars to strawberry oatmeal squares and brownies, these cookie bars cover every craving you might have.

These cookie bars are perfect for potlucks, parties, bake sales, family gatherings, or those late-night cravings. They make great food gifts, too!

1. M&M Cookie Bars

M&M cookie bars close up shot.
Photo Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

When you want a treat that both kids and adults will go crazy for, these yummy M&M cookie bars deliver big time. You can change it up with different M&M flavors and seasonal colors depending on what event you’re making them for.

Get the Recipe: M&M Cookie Bars

2. Sugar Cookie Bars

Cookie bars with sprinkles.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

These have all the flavor of classic sugar cookies in bar form and are topped with a homemade buttercream frosting. The pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles are fun, but you can also change up the colors to match the event or holiday you’re serving them for.

Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Bars

3. Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

cookie bars with chocolate chips.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

These chewy bars deliver all the comfort of classic chocolate chip cookies without any of the fuss. Made by hand in just one bowl, the dough comes together quickly with melted butter and is pressed into a pan for effortless baking.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

4. Cinnamon Roll Shortbread Bars

Close up shot of cinnamon roll bars.
Photo Credit: Sugar and Soul

You get all the cozy comfort of weekend cinnamon rolls without any of the yeast or rising time. That signature swirl runs right through buttery shortbread layers, and the vanilla icing drizzle seals the deal.

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Shortbread Bars

5. Lemon Cookie Bars

Close up shot of lemon cookie bars.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

Bright, sunny flavors shine in these cake-like bars that get topped with the most amazing lemon buttercream. They’re like having your favorite sugar cookie and lemon cake rolled into one treat.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Cookie Bars

6. Magic Cookie Bars (7 Layer Bars)

Close up shot of chocolate coconut bars.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Layer after layer of goodness comes together with these delicious chocolate coconut magic bars. The sweetened condensed milk binds everything together and adds to the flavor.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Coconut Magic Bars

7. Oreo Brownies

Oreo brownies stacked on each other.
Photo Credit: Dinner At The Zoo

These Oreo brownies are ultra-fudgy and packed with chocolate chips and Oreos for the ultimate mash-up dessert. They’re quick to make, easy to share, and guaranteed to please a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Oreo Brownies

8. M&M Christmas Cookie Bars

Cookie bars with m&m's.
Photo Credit: Frugal Mom Eh

Holiday magic happens when festive red and green candies meet white chocolate chips in these celebration-worthy treats. They’re extra chewy and delicious. These aren’t just for the holidays, you can swap out the colored sprinkles and M&M’s to tailor them to your celebration.

Get the Recipe: M&M Christmas Cookie Bars

9. S’mores Bars

S'mores cookies with hershey's.
Photo Credit: The Baking Chocolatess

These s’mores cookie bars will disappear in no time. This recipe has been shared over 160,000 times on Pinterest, so you know it’s going to be tasty!

Get the Recipe: S’mores Bars

10. Pumpkin Cookie Bars

Pumpkin cookie bars.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

With just 10 minutes of prep and five simple ingredients (including a chocolate chip cookie mix), you’ll have pumpkin spice cookie bars that taste like they were made from scratch.

They’re the kind of dessert that vanishes fast at fall gatherings or Thanksgiving tables.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cookie Bars

11. Millionaire Shortbread

Close up shot of shortbread bars.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook

These no-bake millionaire shortbread bars are always a crowd pleaser. Crushed Biscoff cookies make the best crust and the layers of caramel and cookie butter make it even more yummy.

Get the Recipe: Millionaire Shortbread Bars

12. Strawberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars

A close up shot of oatmeal bars with strawberries.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

One simple oat mixture pulls double duty as both the crust and crumble topping, making these fruity cookie bars incredibly easy to throw together. Fresh strawberries and jam create a jammy center that tastes amazing.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars

13. Nutella Cookie Bar Recipe

Nutella bars close up shot.
Photo Credit: Broken Oven Baking

Think of these as the ultimate Nutella lover’s dream come true. Cookie dough hugs a generous layer of hazelnut spread, then gets topped with even more Nutella swirls that stay melty and delicious.

Get the Recipe: Nutella Cookie Bar Recipe

14. Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Close up shot of chocolate chip cookie bars.
Photo Credit: Crayons and Cravings

Skip the fussy cookie scooping and make a whole pan of these rich chocolate cookie bars instead. These bars bake up withcrispy edges and gooey centers, plus they’re easy to serve to a crowd at parties and holidays.

Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

15. Pecan Pie Cookie Bars

Pecan pie cookie bars close up shot.
Photo Credit: Barley and Sage

Brown butter transforms the shortbread base into something absolutely heavenly, while dates create a filling that’s even better than regular pecan pie. They’ll get gobbled up at any fall or winter gatherings you take them to.

Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cookie Bars

16. Red Velvet Brownies

Red velvet brownies with cream cheese swirl.
Photo Credit: Dinner at the Zoo

Nothing is better than these rich red velvet brownies with a cream cheese swirl. They’re especially great around the holidays, Valentine’s Day, or whenever you crave a red velvet dessert.

Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Brownies

17. Carmelitas

Close up shot of carmelitas.
Photo Credit: Crayons and Cravings

Gooey caramel and melted chocolate are sandwiched between layers of oatmeal cookie goodness in these absolutely irresistible treats. The caramel stays wonderfully soft and gooey, making every bite a delight.

Get the Recipe: Carmelitas

18. Oreo Blondies

Oreo blondies on a light blue plate.
Photo Credit: Trop Rockin

Crushed Oreo cookies fold into vanilla-flavored blondie batter make the ultimate cookies and cream experience. The white chocolate base lets those chocolate cookie pieces really shine while staying perfectly chewy.

Get the Recipe: Oreo Blondies

19. Coconut Berry Magic Bars

Coconut bars with berries.
Photo Credit: The Creative Bite

These magic bars are packed with coconut, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chips for a sweet and tart flavor combo.

The oat-based crust is a fun change from the usual graham cracker crust found in typical magic bar recipes.

Get the Recipe Coconut Berry Magic Bars

20. Reese’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Close up shot of cookie bars with chooclate chips.
Photo Credit: The Baking Chocolatess

These indulgent bars will satisfy every peanut butter and chocolate craving. The Reese’s pieces melt just enough during baking to create pockets of creamy peanut butter goodness.

Get the Recipe: Reese’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

21. Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

Cookie bars that taste like snickerdoodle cookies.
Photo Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Chewy cookies with a cinnamon sugar flavor make a treat worthy of any occasion or just because. Slice up these snickerdoodle bars and watch them disappear at your potluck or party.

Get the Recipe: Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

22. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars.
Photo Credit: Broken Oven Baking

These soft, thick bars combine oats and chocolate chips for a mouthwatering dessert. Unlike baking cookies, no scooping or chilling dough is required, saving you so much time.

Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

23. Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Brownies with cream cheese.
Photo Credit: Chenée Today

You can never go wrong with homemade brownies. The mouthwatering cream cheese frosting cuts through all that rich chocolate in the most wonderful way, creating perfect balance in every forkful.

Get the Recipe: Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

24. Peanut Butter Blossom Bars

Peanut butter cookie bars with chocolate kiss candies on top.
Photo Credit: JCP Eats

Peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie bars are topped with Hershey’s Kisses to create a treat everyone will enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossom Bars

25. Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars

Pink and purple sugar cookie bars on a wood background.
Photo Credit: Lifestyle of a Foodie

We’re all about these sugar cookie bars that definitely give off unicorn vibes. The bright purple and pink frosting combined with the heart sprinkles is so fun for Valentine’s Day!

You could also change up the food coloring or sprinkles to fit whatever occasion you’re making them for.

Get the Recipe: Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars

26. Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

Cookie bars with pretzel.
Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee

When you can’t decide what you’re craving, these bars have your back with a little bit of everything mixed right in. Each bite surprises you with different textures and flavors, from sweet to salty to crunchy.

Get the Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars

27. Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars

Lemon sugar cookie bars close up shot.
Photo Credit: Barley and Sage

These lemon blondies have soft, chewy centers bursting with fresh lemon zest and juice, then are topped with fluffy lemon buttercream and toasted almonds. They slice beautifully, making them perfect for summer and spring parties, or anytime of year.

Get the Recipe: Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars

28. Halloween Swirl Brownies

A close up shot of cream cheese brownies.
Photo Credit: Persnickety Plates

A layer of velvety orange cheesecake swirled into rich chocolate brownies gives these bars their dramatic Halloween look. Each bite is equal parts spooky, sweet, and irresistible.

You could always skip the orange food coloring if you’re not making them for Halloween.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Swirl Brownies

29. Monster Cookie Bars

Monster cookie bars stacked up.
Photo Credit: Boston Girl Bakes

These monster cookie bars pack in all the fun with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms in every chewy bite. These homemade cookie bars will be a hit with your family and friends.

Get the Recipe: Monster Cookie Bars

30. Cranberry Bliss Bars

Three Cranberry Bliss Bars stacked on a counter with a napkin.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

These copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bars have a yummy blondie base, tart cranberries, white chocolate chips, and cream cheese frosting.

Starbucks sells trays of cranberry bliss bars, which are perfect for bringing to holiday gatherings but are quite expensive. Now, you can make a big batch for way cheaper.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Bliss Bars

31. Brookies

Brookies stacked up
Photo Credit: Vintage Kitchen Notes

When you can’t decide between brownies and cookies, just make both in one pan. The marbled batters create a gorgeous swirled pattern that bakes into squares with bites of fudgy brownie and chewy cookie dough throughout.

Get the Recipe: Brookies

32. Biscoff White Chocolate Cookie Bars

White chocolate and biscoff flavored cookie bars.
Photo Credit: The Baking Chocolatess

Sprinkled with lots of white chocolate throughout and flavored with Biscoff spread, these cookie bars are so tasty.

Get the Recipe: Biscoff White Chocolate Cookie Bars

33. Reindeer Cookie Bars

Cookie bars with reindeer.
Photo Credit: Sparkles to Sprinkles

These festive bars bring holiday cheer with their adorable reindeer decorations that the kids will love. They’re perfect for Christmas parties where you want something fun that everyone will enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Reindeer Cookie Bars

34. Brown Butter Turtle Blondies

Cookie bars with a creamy caramel filling and nutty texture.
Photo Credit: Barley and Sage

With crispy edges and a chewy middle, these brown butter turtle blondies are a treat you won’t be able to resist.

The cookie bars are made with dark chocolate chips, pecans, and an amazing homemade salted caramel sauce.

Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Turtle Blondies

35. Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Chocolate chip cookie bars made with cake mix.
Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

Loaded with chocolate chips, these cookie bars use cake mix to make the process faster and cut down on the amount of ingredients you need to buy.

Get the Recipe: Cake Mix Cookie Bars

36. Buckeye Brownie Bars

Brownie bars close up shot.
Photo Credit: The Baking Chocolatess

Buckeye candy gets the bar treatment with layers of peanut butter and chocolate that taste just like the candy. The peanut butter layer stays wonderfully creamy while the chocolate topping adds the perfect finishing touch.

Get the Recipe: Buckeye Brownie Bars

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