There’s something about the warm, buttery smell of freshly baked bars studded with colorful candies that instantly lifts the holiday spirit. This Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe is my go-to treat every festive season – gooey, festive, and so simple to whip up, it’s bound to become a new holiday fave in your kitchen too.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly couldn’t resist sharing this recipe—it’s the perfect blend of nostalgic holiday flavors and easy prep that makes me come back to it year after year. Plus, it’s fun to make, easy to customize, and totally delicious, even for cookie bar beginners!
- Goey Texture: These bars hit that sweet spot between chewy and fudgy, making every bite irresistible.
- Festive Flare: Loaded with Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles, these bars add color and cheer to any holiday spread.
- Simple To Make: No fancy equipment or complicated steps—just mix, spread, and bake.
- Great for Gifting: Freeze a batch, slice into bars, and you’ve got sweet, homemade gifts ready to share.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe relies on simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Every item plays its part to create that classic, cozy holiday treat you'll want to bake again and again.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness—plus, real butter gives these bars a rich, creamy flavor.
- Brown sugar: The packed brown sugar adds moistness and a hint of caramel that’s essential for that chewy texture.
- Eggs: They bind the dough and add richness, helping create that gooey consistency.
- Vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that makes every bite feel warm and comforting.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and lifts the other flavors.
- Baking powder: Gives a subtle rise so the bars aren’t dense and heavy.
- All-purpose flour: The structure builder for these bars, making them sturdy enough to hold together but still tender.
- Christmas M&Ms: These festive candies add color, crunch, and that sweet chocolate pop everyone loves.
- Christmas sprinkles: Jimmies work best here because they keep their shape and add whimsical festivity.
Make It Your Way
I love putting my spin on this Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe depending on the mood or who I’m baking for. It’s really flexible, so you can get creative and make it fit your festive vibe.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out half the M&Ms for chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for an extra crunch and festive twist.
- Dietary twist: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make it allergy-friendly without losing that chewy texture.
- Seasonal changes: Besides Christmas colors, I’ve made fun birthday versions by swapping the sprinkles and candies—super simple and fun.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9x13 inch metal pan with foil. Spray the foil really well with cooking spray—this helps the bars release easily. I never use glass because metal gives the best edges and even baking for these bars.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture is crumbly and well combined. This step is key to building that irresistible chewy texture, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, mix in the eggs one at a time, then pour in the vanilla extract. Keep beating until smooth. This step helps bind everything together and gives your bars that lovely richness.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients In
Sprinkle in the salt, baking powder, and then the flour. Stir this all together gently until just combined—don’t overmix or your bars might turn tough.
Step 5: Fold in M&Ms and Sprinkles
Gently fold in your Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles. The colorful bits throughout the dough make every slice festive and fun. Save a little sprinkle mix for topping.
Step 6: Press and Bake
Spray your hands with cooking spray and press the wet dough evenly into the prepared pan. This is the trick I learned to get smooth, even bars without sticky fingers! Sprinkle remaining candies on top for show. Bake for about 22-25 minutes, checking around 22 minutes. They’re done when they’ve just started to turn golden but still look a little soft in the center—trust me, underbaking slightly keeps that gooey magic.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, let the bars cool in the pan. This step is so important because they continue baking a bit as they cool and firm up, making slicing much cleaner.
Top Tip
Over the years making this Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that truly make a difference between good bars and unforgettable ones. Here’s what I hope will save you some trial and error in your kitchen:
- Use metal pans, not glass: It gives perfectly crisp edges and even baking, which glass just doesn’t deliver.
- Don’t overbake: These bars finish cooking as they cool. Pull them out when the edges are golden but the center still looks soft.
- Spray your hands: Pressing the dough with lightly sprayed hands makes spreading it in the pan smooth and mess-free.
- Save some toppings for the top: It adds a beautiful festive look and extra crunch once baked.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—the residual sprinkles and M&Ms baked into the bars do all the work! If I’m feeling fancy, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy touch that’s just darling for holiday parties.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a mug of hot cocoa or a dollop of whipped cream to balance their sweetness. I’ve also enjoyed them alongside a simple fruit salad to add a refreshing twist to the dessert table.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties or gift-giving, I like stacking the bars in clear treat boxes tied with a red ribbon, or arranging them on a festive platter with little handwritten gift tags. It’s a simple way to elevate these humble bars into special holiday treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for up to four days. I recommend layering the bars between parchment paper if stacking to prevent sticking.
Freezing
Freezing is a lifesaver with this recipe! I wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap, then again in foil, popping them into a freezer bag. They freeze beautifully for up to a month, perfect for last-minute treats or thoughtful gifts.
Reheating
To enjoy after freezing, just thaw the bars at room temperature for a couple of hours. If you want them warm and gooey, pop individual pieces into the microwave for 10-15 seconds – it’s like freshly baked magic in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I recommend a metal pan because it helps the bars bake evenly and get those nice golden edges. A glass pan usually results in softer edges and can affect baking time.
Absolutely! You can swap M&Ms with your favorite candy pieces, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts. Just keep in mind that some chocolate chips may melt more than M&Ms, altering the texture slightly.
Watch the bars closely starting at 22 minutes; they should look golden around the edges but still a bit soft in the center. Remember, they’ll firm up as they cool, so it’s better to err on the side of underbaking.
Yes! These bars keep well for up to four days at room temperature, and they freeze wonderfully. This makes them an excellent choice for holiday prep or gifting.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe has truly become my holiday staple—it’s fun, festive, and reliably delicious. I hope trying this brings the same cozy joy to your kitchen and holiday table as it does to mine. Don’t forget to have fun with it and maybe sneak a warm bite or two fresh from the oven (no judgment here!). Happy baking and happy holidays to you and yours!
Print
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, perfect for gifting or enjoying throughout the season. Easy to make and freezer-friendly, they deliver a soft, gooey texture with a delightful crunch from colorful toppings.
Ingredients
Main 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 (or your favorite color)
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles (use jimmies for best results)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch metal pan with foil and spray it well with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Avoid using glass pans as they won’t yield the best results.
- Mix butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to blend the mixture until it becomes crumbly and well incorporated.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and consistent, ensuring even flavor and texture throughout.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the salt and baking powder next, followed by the all-purpose flour. Mix until all the ingredients are combined without overmixing to keep a soft texture.
- Incorporate mix-ins: Gently fold in the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles into the batter to evenly distribute the festive treats inside.
- Prepare and spread the batter: Spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then spread the wet batter evenly in the prepared pan. Top with a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles for a festive look.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the edges start turning golden brown. It’s better to slightly underbake these bars because they’ll finish cooking as they cool, ensuring they stay gooey.
- Cool and slice: Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled, slice into 24 bars and serve or store.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month to enjoy later.
Notes
- Use a metal pan instead of glass for better baking results and texture.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray to easily spread the wet batter without sticking.
- Don’t overbake the bars; slightly underbaking keeps them gooey and soft.
- Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles add festive colors but can be substituted with favorite candies.
- These bars freeze well, making them great for gift-giving or preparing in advance.
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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