These Cookie Bars are everything you love about cookies but taken to the next level—thicker, gooier, and bursting with flavor in every bite. Imagine buttery layers of dough studded with melty chocolate, toasty nuts, or whatever mix-ins your heart desires, baked into golden perfection.
These bars are a lifesaver when you’re craving cookies but don’t have the time or patience to scoop individual portions.
Perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights in, these bars pair wonderfully with eggnog custard tarts for a creamy contrast or colorful macarons to add a touch of elegance to your dessert table. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or treating yourself, The Cookie Bars are bound to become a household favorite.
What I Didn’t Expect About This Recipe
- The versatility: You can customize these bars endlessly with add-ins like dried fruits, white chocolate chips, or even sprinkles for a festive twist.
- No fuss baking: No need to chill the dough or roll out individual cookies. Just spread it in a pan and bake—it’s that easy!
- Texture perfection: The bars bake up with slightly crispy edges and a soft, chewy center. That combination is cookie nirvana.
- Make-ahead magic: These bars taste even better the next day, making them ideal for holiday prep. They’re also freezer-friendly for those last-minute sweet cravings.
Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Festive Christmas M&M bars are a colorful and chewy treat perfect for the holidays! Packed with sprinkles and chocolate, they’re quick to bake and sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Equipment
- 9×13” metal pan
- Foil
- Cooking spray
- Stand or Hand Mixer
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
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
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms or your favorite color
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles use jimmies for best results
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” metal pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Avoid using a glass pan.
- Cream butter and brown sugar using a mixer until crumbly. Mix in eggs and vanilla until smooth.
- Add salt, baking powder, and flour; mix until combined. Fold in M&Ms and sprinkles.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan. Spray your hands with cooking spray to smooth the sticky mixture.
- Sprinkle remaining M&Ms and sprinkles on top.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until lightly golden. Don’t overbake; they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Let cool completely before slicing into bars.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Nutritional Facts:
| Calories | 205 kcal |
| Cholesterol | 25 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Fibre | 1 g |
Tips and Variations for Christmas M&M Bars!
- Substitute M&Ms
Swap the Christmas M&Ms for other holiday-themed colors or flavors, like pastel M&Ms for Easter or peanut butter M&Ms for extra indulgence. - Add a Nutty Crunch
Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture that pairs well with the sweetness. - Chocolate Lover’s Delight
Replace 1/4 cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder to turn these into festive chocolate bars. - Frosted Bars
Top the cooled bars with a thin layer of vanilla or cream cheese frosting, and then sprinkle with more Christmas sprinkles for a bakery-style finish. - White Chocolate Twist
Use white chocolate chips in place of or in addition to M&Ms for a creamy, sweet variation. - Dried Fruit Addition
Mix in 1/3 cup of dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries to add a fruity contrast. - Gluten-Free Option
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour to make these bars suitable for gluten-free diets. - Salted Caramel Drizzle
Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the bars just before serving for an extra layer of flavor. - Mini Cookie Bars
Press the dough into two 8×8-inch pans instead of one large pan for minibars that bake faster and are perfect for smaller gatherings. - Gift-Worthy Packaging
Cut the bars into bite-sized pieces, wrap them in festive cellophane, and tie them with a ribbon for holiday gifts.
These tips can make your Christmas M&M Bars even more delightful and versatile!
