Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive, colorful treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Loaded with classic holiday candy and chocolate chips, these bars combine the best flavors of the season in a soft, chewy dessert.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup Christmas M&M’s (red and green)
• ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (red, green and white)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Using a standing mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking until just combined.
5. Step 5: Fold in ¾ cup of the Christmas M&M’s, ¾ cup of the chocolate chips, and ¼ cup of the Christmas sprinkles.
6. Step 6: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles evenly over the top.
7. Step 7: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the bars are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Tips & Variations

• For extra chewiness, substitute half of the butter with browned butter for a nutty flavor.
• Try using holiday-themed white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips for a different twist.
• Make the bars gluten-free by swapping regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Press the toppings gently so they stick well to the bars and don’t fall off after baking.

Storage

Store the cooled Christmas Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature and warm slightly if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular M&M’s instead of Christmas M&M’s?

Yes, regular M&M’s will work just fine and still add plenty of color and chocolate flavor. Using Christmas M&M’s simply makes the bars feel more festive.

How do I know when the cookie bars are done baking?

The bars are done when the edges are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft and chewy.

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 92 reviews

Delightfully festive Christmas Cookie Bars loaded with red and green M&M’s, chocolate chips, and colorful sprinkles, baked to a golden perfection. These bars combine a soft, chewy texture with the joyful crunch of holiday candies, making them an irresistible treat for seasonal celebrations.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ½ cups flour

Add-ins

• 1 cup Christmas M&M’s (red and green)
• ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (red, green and white)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a standing mixer, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and sugar until smooth and combined. Add the egg and pure vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated to create a creamy base.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt until evenly combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and salt.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, whisking gently until a smooth dough forms without overmixing to maintain tenderness.
5. Fold in Most Candy: Fold into the dough ¾ cup of the Christmas M&M’s, ¾ cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips, and ¼ cup of the Christmas sprinkles, distributing the festive candies evenly throughout the batter.
6. Press Dough into Pan: Transfer and press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a compact layer. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of M&M’s, ¼ cup chocolate chips, and ¼ cup sprinkles on top for decorative, colorful contrast.
7. Bake and Cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to set the structure.

Notes

• The bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• For extra gooey bars, slightly underbake by a minute or two.
• Substitute Christmas M&M’s with any festive colored candies if preferred.
• Make sure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming.

Keywords: Christmas cookie bars, holiday treats, festive desserts, chocolate chip bars, M&M bars, easy holiday baking