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Sliced cookie bars are arranged on a white serving platter, surrounded by festive decorations such as pine branches, red berries, and extra holiday sprinkles. A cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream sits nearby, enhancing the cozy holiday atmosphere

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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 205 kcal

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.
    A glass bowl containing a smooth, golden batter sits on a countertop, showing melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla being stirred together with a spatula under soft kitchen lighting.
  • Add salt, baking powder, and flour; mix until combined. Fold in M&Ms and sprinkles.
    A hand folds flour into the wet batter in a mixing bowl, forming a smooth dough. Containers of baking soda, powder, and salt sit nearby as part of the baking process.
  • Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan. Spray your hands with cooking spray to smooth the sticky mixture.
    Festive mix-ins like colorful M&Ms, chopped caramels, broken pretzel pieces, and sprinkles are folded into the cookie dough, their vibrant hues standing out against the light dough
  • Sprinkle remaining M&Ms and sprinkles on top.
    Cookie dough is evenly spread into a parchment-lined 9x13-inch baking pan. Extra M&Ms and sprinkles are added on top for decoration, ready for baking.
  • Bake for 22-25 minutes until lightly golden. Don’t overbake; they'll firm up as they cool.
    The baking pan with cookie dough sits on the center rack of a preheated oven. The edges are turning golden brown, illuminated by the warm glow of the oven light.
  • Let cool completely before slicing into bars.
    Golden-brown cookie bars are sliced neatly into squares on a wooden cutting board. Their festive mix-ins—M&Ms, caramel, chocolate chips, and sprinkles—are visible. A cooling rack and holiday-themed napkin are in the background
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 1 month.