2 Cookin Mamas

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me & Contact
  • Cookbooks
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » All Holidays » Christmas » Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Bars

    Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Bars

    Published: Nov 15, 2023 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Nothing could be easier or more delicious than these Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Bars. Just 3 ingredients, then a coating in powdered sugar, is all it takes to make these popular rich, decadent bars. 

    Chocolate chip graham cracker cookie bars stacked with twine around them.

    FYI - This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All links are products I use when making my recipes.

    Table of Contents

    • Yummy Bars for the Holidays and Beyond
    • Why You'll Love These Graham Cracker Cookie Bars
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Graham Cracker Bars
    • Recipe Notes and Tips
    • Recipe Variations
    • Other Toppings
    • More Delicious Cookies for Christmas

    Yummy Bars for the Holidays and Beyond

    Easy bar cookies are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed not only during the holidays but all year round. Cookie bars are the perfect addition to any dessert spread, and their ease of preparation and minimal prep time make them a favorite for hectic days.

    During the holiday season, bar cookies are a popular addition to cookie tins, party platters, offered as hostess gifts, and especially liked for their ability to survive packing and shipping to your favorite relatives and friends.

    Plateful of graham cracker bars on white serving plate.

    Classics like Pecan Pie Bars and Chocolate Mint Bars evoke the holiday spirit, while creative variations like Crème Brulee Cheesecake Bars and Gluten Free Lemon Bars add a unique twist to traditional flavors. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, bar cookies are a delightful treat that will have you celebrating the holidays and savoring sweet moments all year long.

    Why You'll Love These Graham Cracker Cookie Bars

    You can't get easier than this recipe. Believe me, these graham cracker bars are the simplest bars you'll ever make! I've passed this recipe on to numerous people who told me they can't bake at all, and they're amazed when they actually turn out so good.

    This is a tried and true recipe that has been in my family for years. It was originally called Bicki cookies, as it was given to my mom by her favorite aunt, yep you guessed it, Bicki.

    Versatile: These are great bars to mail to relatives and friends, put in a cookie tin, or serve on your cookie trays. Graham bars are also perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges.

    Chocolate chip cookie bars in Christmas cookie tin.

    Simple ingredients: All of the ingredients are ones you can keep in your pantry so you can make these cookie bars at a moment's notice. There are no refrigerated ingredients or ones that go bad quickly.

    So if you're looking for an easy recipe for cookie bars with sweetened condensed milk, you've found it!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for chocolate chip cookie bars.
    • Graham Crackers or Graham Cracker Crumbs
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • Chocolate Chips - Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate.
    • Powdered Sugar

    How to Make Graham Cracker Bars

    If you can stir, you can make these graham cracker dessert bars. Here are the simple steps:

    Graham cracker bars prep steps.
    1. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl.
    2. Mix well. The dough will be stiff.
    3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it evenly into the bottom of the dish.
    4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Place the baking dish on a wire rack and let it cool completely.
    Steps to finish bars with powdered sugar.
    1. Invert the dish over a cutting board to remove the graham cracker bars from the pan. Cut it into rectangles for bars or squares.
    2. Place the bars and powdered sugar in a large zip-top bag.
    3. Shake to coat the bars with powdered sugar.
    4. Repeat with all remaining bars then store in an airtight container.
    Holding a powdered sugar coated graham bar with a bite out of it.

    You have successfully made the most yummy, chocolaty bars of goodness ever! You might want to get your piece now as kids and big kids alike will gobble them up.

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    When you take the graham cracker cookie bars out of the oven you might not think they are done, but after 20 to 25 minutes, believe me, they are.

    Important: Do not try to remove the bars from the pan until it has cooled completely. Otherwise, they will be gooey, may fall apart, and you'll have a big mess.

    The powdered sugar coating is optional. They are quite delicious with or without it. See the section below for other toppings.

    Recipe Variations

    Another great thing about this recipe is how simple and easy it is to customize in different ways. Here are some ideas:

    • Crusted animal crackers instead of graham crackers.
    • Butterscotch chips instead of chocolate chips.
    • Coconut flakes - adding about ½ cup will do nicely.
    • M&M's instead of chocolate chips.
    • Peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips. Or use both.
    • Toffee chips instead of chocolate chips.
    • White chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips.

    Other Toppings

    You can put a little extra something on top of these bars for more flavor or texture!

    • Chocolate - Sprinkle an even layer of chocolate chips on top and they will melt as it bakes.
    • Marshmallow - Spread marshmallow cream over the top of the cooled bars before cutting and serving them.
    • Nuts - Sprinkle chopped pecans or other nuts on top to give the bars a little crunch.

    More Delicious Cookies for Christmas

    • Almond Shortbread Cookies are buttery almond-flavored melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a dark chocolate filling.
    • Brazil Nut Snowball Cookies are nutty shortbread cookies covered with powdered sugar that look just like little snowballs.
    • Pistachio Shortbread Cookies - are melt-in-your-mouth, buttery cookies filled with pistachios and white chocolate chips.
    • Eggnog Cookies have all the rich flavors of eggnog wrapped up in a soft, chewy cookie.

    Find lots of easy cookie recipes for Christmas and other occasions here on 2CM!

    LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK. 

    Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Bars

    Nothing could be easier or more delicious than these cookies. Graham crackers, condensed milk and chocolate chips, coated in powdered sugar, make this rich, decadent cookie a super star at holiday time.
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 squares
    Calories: 168kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Equipment

    • 8x8-inch square pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
    • 1 ¾ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
    • 1 cup powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour an 8 or 9-inch square baking dish.
    • Mix ingredients except for the powdered sugar and press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
    • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in dish on a wire rack.
    • When cool, turn out of the pan onto a cutting board and cut into squares.
    • Place the squares and powdered sugar in a large zip-top bag. Shake the bag to coat the bars with powdered sugar.
    • Store the bars in an airtight container or cookie tin.

    Notes

    VARIATIONS
    • Crusted animal crackers instead of graham crackers.
    • Butterscotch chips instead of chocolate chips.
    • Coconut flakes - adding about ½ cup will do nicely.
    • M&M's instead of chocolate chips.
    • Peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips. Or use both.
    • Toffee chips instead of chocolate chips.
    • White chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post has been updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and more helpful information. It was first published on December 23, 2013.

    More Christmas Recipes

    • Lifting out Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll from baking pan.
      Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
    • Two Candy Cane Martinis garnished with candy cane rim.
      Candy Cane Martini
    • Reaching for Turtle Thumbprint Cookie.
      Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
    • Eggnog Pudding Shots

    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

    Trending Recipes

    • Blue Cheese Burgers on buns with lettuce and tomato.
      Blue Cheese Burgers
    • Smear of butter on sweet grilled corn in back of bowl of chili butter.
      Grilled Corn on the Cob with Parmesan Chili Butter
    • Red Potato Salad in white bowl with spoon on red striped table.
      Red Dill Potato Salad with Sour Cream and Bacon
    • 2 Patriotic Parfaits ready to serve with colored spoons and berries around.
      Patriotic Parfaits - A Red White and Blue Dessert

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Watermelon Sangria Light Summer Cocktail
    • Holding spoonful of salsa with mango over grilled chicken.
      Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
    • Slice of authentic key lime pie on white plate in front of flowers.
      Authentic Key Lime Pie Recipe
    • Overhead of avocado strawberry salad in white bowl.
      Strawberry Chicken Salad
    As featured in list.

    Stay Updated!

    Subscribe and receive your free "5 SUMMER SMOOTHIES" e-book.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter & Media

    • Subscribe! for emails and updates
    • Cookbooks

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Sitemap

    Copyright © 2025 2CookinMamas

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required