Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive and easy-to-make holiday treat featuring a buttery cookie base loaded with red and green M&M’s, white and semi-sweet chocolate chips, and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties or gift-giving, they combine classic flavors with cheerful decorations that make every bite celebratory.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup red and green holiday M&M’s
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup sprinkles (holiday-themed)
- Optional: extra M&M’s and sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening agents evenly.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and holiday sprinkles until evenly distributed.
- Spread Dough in Pan: Transfer the dough into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the surface. If desired, sprinkle extra M&M’s and sprinkles on top for decoration.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into 24 bars for serving.
Notes
- These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a festive twist, try swapping the chocolate chips for peppermint chips or fold in chopped candy canes to give a minty holiday flavor.
- If you want softer bars, reduce baking time slightly; for crispier edges, bake a few minutes longer.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner slicing.
