Christmas Cookie Bars: Your Ultimate Guide to Festive Holiday Baking

Get ready to infuse your holiday season with an explosion of color and cheer! These Christmas Cookie Bars are the epitome of festive baking, offering a delightful blend of soft, thick, and irresistibly chewy texture. Loaded with vibrant red and green M&M’s, creamy white chocolate chips, and an abundance of festive sprinkles, these bars are designed to bring joy to every bite. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a celebration, a gift, and a memory waiting to be made.

Far easier and quicker to prepare than traditional drop cookies, these cookie bars are a fantastic solution for busy holiday schedules. Whether you’re baking for your “little elves” (and the “big elves” too, of course!), preparing treats for a festive gathering, or simply want to indulge in the spirit of the season, these M&M cookie bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Say goodbye to endless hours of individual cookie scooping and hello to a simple, satisfying pan of holiday magic!

Why These M&M Christmas Cookie Bars Are an Absolute Holiday Favorite

There’s something truly special about a dessert that captures the essence of Christmas, and these cookie bars do exactly that. Beyond their dazzling appearance, here’s why they deserve a top spot on your holiday baking list:

• Effortless Elegance: Forget the fuss of chilling dough and baking batch after batch. These bars come together in one pan, making them incredibly simple yet stunningly festive. You get all the charm of homemade cookies with significantly less effort.
• Irresistible Texture: Each bite promises a perfectly balanced experience — soft, moist, and delightfully chewy. The combination of butter and sugars creates a tender crumb that melts in your mouth, making them utterly addictive.
• Festive & Flavorful: The classic buttery sugar cookie base provides the perfect canvas for holiday cheer. Red and green M&M’s deliver delightful bursts of chocolate and color, while white chocolate chips add a touch of creamy sweetness. And let’s not forget the sprinkles, which amplify the festive look and add a subtle crunch.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re assembling an impressive holiday dessert platter, crafting homemade gifts for neighbors and teachers, or simply enjoying a cozy treat with your family by the fireplace, these bars fit every bill. They’re robust enough for shipping and travel, too!
• Kid-Friendly Fun: Little ones will adore helping to mix in the colorful M&M’s and sprinkles. It’s a wonderful recipe for getting children involved in the magic of holiday baking, creating delicious memories together.

These M&M cookie bars offer a decadent twist on traditional sugar cookies, providing that extra pop of flavor and visual appeal your holiday baking deserves. So, gather your ingredients and prepare to bake a batch of these truly scrumptious Christmas M&M Cookie Bars!

Simple Ingredients for Spectacular Christmas Cookie Bars

Creating these delightful Christmas Cookie Bars requires a handful of common pantry staples and a generous dose of holiday spirit. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Unsalted Butter: The foundation of any good cookie, unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content and ensures a rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and contributes to the chewy texture and deeper flavor profile of the bars.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that classic cookie bar texture.
• Eggs: Act as a binder, adding structure and richness to the dough. Large eggs, at room temperature, are ideal.
• Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that complements the buttery sweetness. Use pure vanilla for the best results.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cookie bars a slight lift, resulting in a perfectly thick and tender bar.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides the structure for your bars.
• Red & Green M&M’s: The star of the show for that undeniable Christmas look and chocolatey crunch. Feel free to use mini or regular-sized M&M’s.
• Red and Green Sprinkles: Add an extra layer of festive color and fun texture. “Jimmie” style sprinkles work wonderfully.
• White Chocolate Chips: Introduce a creamy, sweet contrast to the chocolate M&M’s. You can also use semi-sweet, butterscotch, or dark chocolate chips, or a combination for varied flavor.

Each ingredient plays a vital role in crafting these incredibly flavorful and visually appealing holiday cookie bars. Selecting quality ingredients ensures the best possible outcome for your festive baking endeavors.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make These Festive M&M Cookie Bars

Creating these delightful Christmas cookie bars is a breeze! Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

1. Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. Lightly spray the parchment or foil with non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your bars won’t stick and are easy to remove and cut.
2. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures all dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Mix until no streaks of flour remain; overmixing can lead to tough cookie bars.
6. Stir in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the red and green M&M’s, half of the white chocolate chips, and the red and green sprinkles by hand using a spatula. The dough will be thick and sticky.
7. Spread into Pan: Lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan. If desired, scatter the remaining M&M’s and white chocolate chips, along with extra sprinkles, over the top of the dough for an even more vibrant and appealing finish.
8. Bake to Perfection: Bake for approximately 23-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The center might still appear slightly soft — this is key to achieving that wonderfully chewy texture. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Avoid overbaking, as this will result in dry, crumbly bars.
9. Cool and Slice: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to slice them. Cooling ensures they set properly and are easier to cut into neat bars. Slice into 24 small bars or your preferred size.

Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Cookie Bars

Achieving perfectly chewy and festive Christmas Cookie Bars is simple with a few expert tips:

• The Golden Rule: Do Not Overbake! This is the most crucial tip for soft, chewy bars. The center should look slightly underbaked when you pull them from the oven. They will continue to “bake” and firm up as they cool in the hot pan, resulting in that desirable tender, chewy consistency.
• Baking Powder for Lift: We’ve included baking powder to give these bars a lovely, slight lift, making them wonderfully thick. If you prefer a denser, more fudgy bar (closer to a blondie), you can omit the baking powder.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more smoothly, creating an emulsified mixture that traps air and leads to a lighter, more uniform texture in your baked goods.
• Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookie bars.
• Line Your Pan: Always line your 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes lifting the cooled bars out of the pan effortless, allowing for clean, precise cuts.
• Cool Completely Before Cutting: Patience is a virtue here! Cutting warm cookie bars will result in a messy, crumbly outcome. Allow them to cool entirely — ideally for several hours or even overnight — before slicing for the cleanest edges.

Creative Variations to Customize Your Holiday Cookie Bars

These Christmas Cookie Bars are wonderfully versatile! Here are some ideas to spark your creativity and tailor them to your taste:

• Candy Alternatives: Instead of classic M&M’s, try using crushed candy canes for a peppermint kick, chopped chocolate-covered pretzels for a sweet and salty crunch, or other seasonal candies.
• Nutty Additions: Fold in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added texture and a rich, nutty flavor.
• Dried Fruit Fun: Dried cranberries, cherries, or diced apricots can add a lovely tang and chewiness, complementing the sweetness of the bars.
• Flavor Extracts: Experiment with different extracts! A touch of almond extract, peppermint extract, or even a hint of rum extract can transform the flavor profile.
• Zesty Twist: Add the zest of an orange or lemon to the dough for a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
• Glaze or Frosting: Once cooled, these bars can be topped with a simple vanilla glaze, a cream cheese frosting, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate for an extra touch of decadence.
• Sprinkle Spectacle: Get creative with your sprinkles! Use different shapes (stars, snowflakes) or colors to match a specific holiday theme or just for extra fun.

Serving and Gifting Your Delightful Christmas Cookie Bars

These Christmas Cookie Bars are not just delicious; they’re also incredibly versatile for serving and gifting during the holidays:

• Festive Platter: Arrange sliced bars on a beautiful serving platter alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies or truffles. A dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra sprinkles can elevate their presentation.
• Thoughtful Gifts: Stack a few bars in decorative cellophane bags, tie with a festive ribbon, and present them to friends, family, teachers, or neighbors. They make a wonderfully personal and delicious homemade gift.
• Cookie Exchange Ready: These bars are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges. Their sturdy nature makes them easy to transport and share.
• Pairing Perfection: Serve these bars with a tall glass of cold milk, a warm mug of hot cocoa, or a festive cup of spiced cider for the ultimate holiday treat experience.

Storing and Freezing M&M Cookie Bars

Proper storage ensures your delicious Christmas Cookie Bars remain fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible:

• Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Extended Storage (Airtight Container): For slightly longer freshness, up to a week, keep them in a well-sealed airtight container. This also makes them ideal for shipping to loved ones, as they hold up well during transit.
• Freezer Friendly: These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled, wrap the uncut slab of bars tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. You can also slice them first, then flash freeze the individual bars on a baking sheet until firm, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Cookie Bars

Here are answers to some common questions about making these festive cookie bars:

Q: Can I use different types of M&M’s?
A: Absolutely! While red and green M&M’s are classic for Christmas, feel free to use peanut M&M’s, crispy M&M’s, or even M&M’s in other colors for different occasions. The texture and flavor will still be fantastic.

Q: My cookie bars turned out dry. What went wrong?
A: The most common culprit for dry cookie bars is overbaking. Remember the tip: remove them from the oven when the edges are just golden and the center still looks slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the dough, press it into the prepared pan, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be aware that it might take an extra minute or two to bake when starting from chilled dough.

Q: What if I don’t have a 9×13 inch pan?
A: A similar-sized rectangular pan will work. Keep in mind that a smaller pan will yield thicker bars that may require a longer baking time, while a larger pan will produce thinner bars that bake faster. Adjust baking time accordingly and watch for the golden edges.

Q: How do I get clean cuts?
A: Ensure the bars are completely cooled before cutting. Using a sharp knife that has been run under hot water and then wiped clean can help achieve super clean slices. Wipe the knife clean between each cut.

More Delish Bars & Festive Treats to Explore!

If you loved these Christmas Cookie Bars, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes from The Baking Chocolatess for more inspiration:

• Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
• Thick & Chewy Chocolate M&M Cookies
• Reese’s Pieces Magic Bars
• Thick & Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
• OMG S’mores Bars
• Super Easy Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Bars
• M&M Christmas Cookies

And for even more festive ideas:

• Patriotic M&M Party Cookie Bars
• 3 White Chocolate No Bake Festive Candy Recipes
• Birthday Sugar Cookie Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee
• Biscoff White Chocolate Cookie Bars
• Biscoff M&M Cookie Butter Cookies
• Luscious Lime Cake Vodka Jello Shots
• Christmas Tree Pull Apart Cupcakes Cake
• 10 Super Sweet Christmas Tree Desserts To Pine Over
• Cookie Butter Truffles
• Festive Chocolate Snowball Cookies

Christmas Cookie Bars: A Recipe Card

These Christmas Cookie M&M Bars are an absolute must-have for any holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking for the family or giving these tasty chocolate chip cookie bars away as gifts, there are endless flavor combinations and decorating possibilities for the holiday season!

With less fuss than traditional cookies, these Christmas cookie bars with M&M’s can be made quickly and easily, saving you precious time during the holidays. So grab your mixing bowl, embrace the festive spirit, and let’s get baking one of our favorite Christmas cookie bar recipes!