There’s something utterly joyful about biting into sweet, buttery bars loaded with festive colors and melty chocolate. These Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe bring that holiday cheer in every bite, making them an irresistible treat to whip up when you need a little magic in your kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I still remember the first time I made these cookie bars for a holiday gathering—their gooey, soft texture paired with vibrant M&Ms instantly stole the show. It’s like the classic blondie got a fun, festive makeover, and the best part is how effortlessly delicious they turn out every time.
- Easy to Make: No fancy techniques here, just straightforward mixing and baking that works for any skill level.
- Perfectly Gooey Texture: These bars keep a soft, chewy center that feels indulgent but not heavy.
- Festive & Fun: The Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles add a burst of color and holiday spirit that kids and adults adore.
- Great for Gifting: They freeze well, so you can prep in advance and give them as sweet surprises to friends and family.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe uses simple pantry staples that come together beautifully to create that perfect balance of chewiness and rich flavor. Choosing quality ingredients makes a difference, especially the butter and brown sugar, which bring that deep caramel undertone.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness, and melting it brings richness and moisture.
- Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar adds moisture and a slight molasses flavor that keeps these bars soft and tender.
- Large Eggs: Eggs bind everything together while adding moisture and structure, ensuring the bars hold their shape.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances sweetness and adds warmth.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and deepen flavor complexity.
- Baking Powder: Gives a little lift for softness without making the bars cakey.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough that holds the goodies together perfectly.
- Christmas M&Ms: These festive candies melt just a bit, adding bursts of chocolate and bright colors.
- Christmas Sprinkles (Jimmies): They add a crunch and a sprinkle of cheer—jimmies work best because they maintain their shape in the oven.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this recipe by swapping the candy or sprinkles based on the season or what I have on hand. The beauty is in how flexible it is—feel free to get creative and make it your own!
- Variation: One year, I swapped out the Christmas M&Ms for peanut butter M&Ms and it was a delightful twist, adding a nutty flavor that pairs so well with the sweetness.
- Dietary Twist: For a gluten-free version, I’ve had good results using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Mix-Ins: You could easily swap sprinkles for chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or dried cranberries for a different texture or flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
I always preheat my oven to 350°F and line a 9x13” metal pan with foil. Spraying the foil generously with cooking spray ensures nothing sticks—remember, a glass pan can make the bars cook unevenly, so stick to metal for that perfect texture.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Sugar Until Crumbly
Using a stand or hand mixer, cream the melted unsalted butter with packed brown sugar until the mixture looks crumbly and well combined. This step is key for that lovely caramelized flavor, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract. You want a smooth, shiny batter before moving on to the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Stir in Dry Ingredients and Goodies
Add salt and baking powder, then sift in the all-purpose flour. Gently fold everything together until just mixed—don’t overwork the dough to keep the bars tender. Lastly, stir in your Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles, saving a handful to sprinkle on top before baking.
Step 5: Spread Batter Evenly in Pan
This batter is wet and sticky, so spray your hands lightly with cooking spray and press the dough evenly into the pan. This trick makes it so much easier to spread the batter without it sticking everywhere!
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 22-25 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the top just firms up. These bars are best when slightly underbaked because they continue cooking as they cool. Let them rest before slicing into generous squares.
Top Tip
From my experience making these Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few small tricks that make a big difference in the final result. Here’s what helps me every single time.
- Use Metal Pans: I avoid glass pans because metal heats more evenly, giving the perfect gooey but baked texture you want.
- Don’t Overbake: I take them out when the edges have turned golden but the center still jiggles slightly—this keeps them soft and chewy.
- Non-Stick Hands: Always spraying my hands before pressing the dough down makes spreading mess-free and smooth.
- Let Them Rest: Cold or warm, letting the bars settle completely before slicing helps keep them from crumbling.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping freshly baked bars with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate for a festive touch. Sometimes, if I’m feeling extra, I add a sprinkle of edible glitter to amp up the holiday sparkle!
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a warm mug of spiced tea. At holiday parties, I often serve them alongside gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark for a colorful cookie platter that everyone goes crazy for.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve wrapped these bars individually with festive cellophane and tied each with a ribbon for gifting. For a party, arranging them on a wooden board with sprigs of pine and cinnamon sticks turns them into a charming holiday centerpiece that your guests will admire before digging in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days. I find that keeping a layer of parchment paper between layers prevents them from sticking together.
Freezing
When freezing, I wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to a month—which is perfect for prepping early for holiday gifting or last-minute celebrations.
Reheating
I’ve warmed leftovers in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften them just enough without melting the candies completely. It brings back that fresh-baked goodness almost instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Regular M&Ms work perfectly and give you the same melty chocolate pockets. The Christmas-themed ones just add a little extra festive color that’s fun for the holidays.
Glass pans tend to cook the edges faster and can cause uneven baking, which means you might end up with crispy edges and an underbaked center. Metal pans ensure more even heat distribution for perfect gooey bars.
Definitely! These bars store well at room temperature for several days and freeze beautifully, making them ideal for baking in advance during busy holiday seasons.
Be mindful not to overbake them; removing them when edges are golden but centers still jiggle ensures they stay moist. Also, store them in an airtight container promptly to lock in freshness.
Final Thoughts
From holiday parties to cozy nights by the fire, these Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe have become one of my go-to festive treats. They’re simple enough to make without stress but special enough to bring smiles around the table. Trust me, once you bake a batch, they’ll be a holiday tradition you’ll look forward to year after year.
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Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars are festive blondies packed with holiday M&Ms and sprinkles. Soft, sweet, and perfect for gifting or enjoying throughout the holiday season, they bake quickly and are freezer-friendly for convenience.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (400g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (use jimmies for best results)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 inch metal pan with foil and spray it well with cooking spray. Avoid using a glass pan to ensure proper baking.
- Mix butter and sugar: Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar together until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until the batter becomes smooth and well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in salt, baking powder, and then the all-purpose flour until fully incorporated into the batter.
- Incorporate mix-ins: Gently fold in the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
- Spread dough in pan: Spray your hands with cooking spray to handle the wet dough, then press and smooth the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle additional M&Ms and sprinkles on top for extra festive decoration.
- Bake bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the edges are golden but the center remains slightly underbaked to keep a gooey texture. The bars will finish baking as they cool.
- Cool and slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 24 bars for serving.
- Store properly: Keep the bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to one month to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use jimmies for sprinkles to prevent melting and maintain festive texture.
- Spraying your hands with cooking spray helps handle the sticky dough and achieve an even layer in the pan.
- Do not overbake; the bars should remain slightly soft in the center for gooeyness.
- These bars freeze well and make perfect gifts during the holiday season.
- Use a metal pan as glass pans can cause uneven baking or slower cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 205 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 66 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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