Vegan Smarties-Style Christmas Cookie Bars (Festive Soft & Chewy Dessert)

Holiday dessert trends are leaning toward nostalgic, colorful, kid-friendly bakes — and cookie bars are outperforming traditional cookies because they're easier, faster, and bake more evenly. These vegan Smarties-style cookie bars give the fun, aesthetic candy-filled look while staying dairy-free and holiday-ready.

You can cut them into squares, triangles (like trees), or festive shapes using holiday cookie cutters.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No electric mixer required
Uses pantry-friendly vegan ingredients
Soft, chewy, thick, bakery-style texture
Perfect for gifting or holiday dessert boards
Customizable for New Years, birthdays, Easter & school snacks

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Cooking Method: Baking

Courses: Dessert

Best Season: Winter, Fall

Description

These soft, chewy, bakery-style cookie bars are loaded with colorful vegan chocolate candies for the ultimate festive treat — perfect for Christmas parties, cookie boxes, bake sales, or cozy movie nights. Made in one pan, no chilling needed, and completely dairy-free + egg-free.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp sea salt
½ cup vegan butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup cane sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup p unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup plant milk (as needed)
1¾ cup vegan Smarties-style candies (Choco No-Nos, Unreal Gems, etc.)

Instructions

Step 1 — Mix dry ingredients

1
Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

Step 2 — Cream butter + sugars

2
Beat vegan butter with brown & white sugar until fluffy.

Step 3 — Add wet ingredients

3
Mix in vanilla + applesauce until fully combined.

Step 4 — Fold in flour

4
Add dry ingredients and mix until thick dough forms; add splash of milk if dry.

Step 5 — Add candies & press into pan

5
Line pan, press dough evenly, sprinkle more candies on top.

Step 6 — Bake + cool

6
Bake 20–24 mins until edges golden; cool before slicing.

Note

📌 Storage

3–4 days sealed container at room temp
Freeze up to 2 months already sliced

Read it online: https://dreamlifecooking.net/recipe/vegan-smarties-style-christmas-cookie-bars-festive-soft-chewy-dessert/

Kiara

Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.