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
Scale
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
