These festive blondies are packed with holiday M&Ms and sprinkles, making them the ultimate Christmas treat! Easy to bake and freezer-friendly, they’re perfect for gifting or enjoying throughout the holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Forget the hassle of scooping individual cookies—just press the dough into a pan, bake, and slice! These cookie bars offer all the deliciousness of traditional cookies with a soft, chewy texture and a buttery, toffee-like flavor from brown sugar.
Switch up the candy and sprinkles for other occasions, but during the holidays, these Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are a must-have addition to your dessert table or cookie exchange.
Ingredients
- Butter: Unsalted and softened.
- Brown Sugar: Packed for rich flavor.
- Eggs: Helps bind the dough for that chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Measured correctly for the perfect texture.
- Baking Powder: Adds softness to the bars.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness.
- Christmas M&Ms and Sprinkles: Festive touches for color and crunch.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars
- Prep the Pan
Line a 9×13” pan with foil and coat with cooking spray for easy removal. - Mix Wet Ingredients
Cream the butter and brown sugar until crumbly. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth. - Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. Stir in M&Ms and sprinkles. - Spread the Dough
Transfer the sticky dough to the prepared pan. Use cooking spray on your hands to spread it evenly. Top with more M&Ms and sprinkles. - Bake
Bake at 350°F for 22-25 minutes, until golden. Slightly underbake for softer bars as they’ll set while cooling. - Store
Keep in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to a month.
Tips for Perfect Cookie Bars
- Customize for Any Occasion
Swap out the holiday M&Ms and sprinkles for colors that match Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, or any celebration. - Measure Flour Correctly
Use the spoon-and-level method to avoid overly dense bars. - Storage
Ensure the bars are fully cooled before storing in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh.
Whether you’re making them as a thoughtful gift or a festive treat for your family, these Christmas Cookie Bars are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer. With their chewy texture and vibrant colors, they’ll quickly become a new holiday tradition!
Christmas Cookie Bars
24
servings20
minutes25
minutesFestive, chewy, and easy to make, these Christmas Cookie Bars are blondies packed with holiday M&Ms and sprinkles. Perfect for gifting or enjoying with family, these bars are freezer-friendly and guaranteed to bring holiday cheer!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 bars
Ingredients
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
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 preferred color)
½ cup Christmas sprinkles (use jimmies for best results)
Directions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13″ metal baking pan with foil and spray generously with cooking spray. Avoid using a glass pan for best results.
- Mix Wet Ingredients
- Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until crumbly. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients
- Mix in the salt, baking powder, and flour until just combined. Stir in the M&Ms and sprinkles.
- Spread Dough in Pan
- Transfer the wet dough into the prepared pan. Spray your hands with cooking spray and use them to press the dough into an even layer. Sprinkle any remaining M&Ms and sprinkles over the top.
- Bake
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the top is set. For the perfect texture, slightly underbake the bars—they’ll continue cooking as they cool.
- Cool and Slice
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 24 pieces.
- Store
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to a month.
- Recipe Tips
- Holiday Variations: Swap out M&Ms and sprinkles to match any holiday or occasion.
- Metal Pan is Key: Use a metal 9×13-inch pan for even baking. Glass pans may cause uneven results.
- Measure Ingredients Correctly: Spoon and level the flour and sugar for accuracy.
- Fudgy Centers: These bars are meant to be rich and chewy with a slightly fudgy center—similar to a brownie.
- Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 205
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 66mg
- Potassium: 57mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 26g
- Enjoy these decadent Christmas Cookie Bars as a festive holiday treat or a simple yet delicious addition to any dessert table! Save this recipe now for a holiday favorite you’ll love year after year.