Unwrap Holiday Cheer: Christmas Cookie Bars Packed with M&M's and Sprinkles

Photo bychristmas recipes and crafts

The holiday season is the perfect time for gathering with family, sharing laughs, and indulging in festive treats. While classic cookies and cakes often steal the show, Christmas Cookie Bars offer a delightful twist on traditional holiday baking. These soft, chewy bars are a colorful and flavorful blend of red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and festive holiday sprinkles. Whether you’re preparing a dessert tray for a party or simply looking for a treat to enjoy with a warm mug of cocoa, Christmas Cookie Bars are the sweet solution that brings joy to every bite.

The magic of Christmas Cookie Bars lies in their combination of textures and flavors. The base is a buttery, brown sugar dough, lending a rich caramel note that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of white chocolate and the crunch of M&M’s. The holiday sprinkles not only add a festive pop of color but also a slight crunch that makes these bars extra fun. Unlike regular cookies, these bars are incredibly easy to make, requiring no rolling or cutting — just spread the dough into a pan, bake, and you’re ready to slice and serve!

Recipe: Festive Christmas Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup red and green M&M’s
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Wet Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and packed brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, continuing to whisk until the mixture is well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix.
4. Add Mix-Ins:
   Gently fold in the red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and holiday sprinkles. Make sure that these festive additions are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Bake:
   Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared 9x9-inch baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs. You don’t want to overbake, as the bars will continue to set as they cool.
6. Cool and Serve:
   Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Serve these festive treats at your next holiday gathering or wrap them up as a sweet homemade gift!

Christmas Cheer in Every Bite

The beauty of Christmas Cookie Bars is that they’re customizable, so you can switch up the mix-ins to suit your tastes. Swap the M&M’s for crushed candy canes, or throw in some dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor. No matter how you make them, these cookie bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Their soft, chewy texture paired with the colorful decorations makes them a treat that both kids and adults will love. Bring a batch of these Christmas Cookie Bars to your next holiday event, and watch them disappear as fast as Santa down the chimney!

The recipe you shared for Christmas Cookie Bars with festive red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles is an excellent choice for holiday baking. These bars are perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers, combining simplicity with a colorful, festive look. Based on my findings, here are some tips and variations to help you make these bars even better:

1. Don’t Overmix: When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, make sure not to overmix the dough, as this could make the bars dense instead of soft and chewy​(Crayons & Cravings)​(Family Recipes).
2. Customization: If you want to get creative, try mixing in other festive ingredients like crushed candy canes or dark chocolate chips for a twist. You can even swap out the M&M’s for other seasonal candies​(The Freckled Cook).
3. Line the Pan with Parchment Paper: For easy removal and clean cuts, line your baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will prevent sticking and help lift the bars out smoothly once cooled​(Melanie Cooks).
4. Baking Time: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, keeping an eye on the center to ensure it remains slightly soft. You can use a toothpick to check for doneness — it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs​(Family Recipes)​(Melanie Cooks).

Once cooled, cut the bars into squares and enjoy! These cookie bars can be stored at room temperature for a few days, or frozen if you’re planning ahead for Christmas parties.