Christmas Cookie Bars
Christmas Cookie Bars are the ultimate holiday dessert packed with chocolate chips, festive Christmas M&M’s, and white chocolate.
The combination of buttery richness, brown sugar, and vanilla creates a soft, chewy treat that’s perfect for holiday parties or cozy winter nights. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, these bars will quickly become a Christmas favorite.
Key Ingredients for Festive Cookie Bars
Butter (¾ cup) – Provides the rich, creamy base and helps achieve a soft texture.
Brown Sugar (1 cup) – Adds depth of sweetness and enhances the chewiness.
Granulated Sugar (2/3 cup) – Balances the brown sugar and helps with the structure of the bars.
Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons) – Infuses the dough with a warm, sweet flavor.
All-Purpose Flour (3 cups) – Creates the sturdy yet soft base for the cookie bars.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1 cup) – Adds chocolatey richness that melts in every bite.
Christmas M&M’s (1 cup, divided) – Brings festive colors and crunch, with half baked inside and half sprinkled on top.
White Chocolate Chips (¼ cup) – Tops the bars with a creamy sweetness and a bright holiday touch.
Simple Steps to Make Your Cookie Bars
Preheat your oven to 325°F and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment.
Cream the softened butter with brown and granulated sugar until fluffy.
Blend in eggs and vanilla for a smooth, rich dough.
Stir in dry ingredients like baking soda, salt, and flour until just combined.
Fold in chocolate chips and half of the Christmas M&M’s.
Spread the dough evenly in your prepared pan, then sprinkle the remaining M&M’s and white chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 26-30 minutes, until golden at the edges.
Let the bars cool, then slice and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookie Bars
For extra chewiness, slightly underbake your cookie bars—this will allow them to set perfectly as they cool. To add even more festive flair, consider sprinkling holiday-themed sprinkles on top with the M&M’s and white chocolate chips. You can also switch up the chocolate by using dark or milk chocolate chips, depending on your preference.
Storing Your Cookie Bars
Store these Christmas Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the sliced bars in a single layer, separating them with parchment paper. To enjoy again, simply thaw them at room temperature or give them a quick warm-up in the microwave for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
These bars are a holiday must-have, perfect for sharing with loved ones or adding to your Christmas dessert table!
Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter softened (1½ sticks)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup Christmas M&M’s divided (½ cup for the dough, ½ cup for topping)
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar, beating on medium speed for around 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully blended and smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Stir in the baking soda and salt, mixing gently. Gradually add the flour, and mix until a dough forms, avoiding overmixing.
- Gently fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of the Christmas M&M’s.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth the surface. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of M&M’s and white chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 26-30 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely. Once cooled, slice into squares and serve.
Notes
If you prefer a chewier texture, slightly underbake the bars and let them set as they cool.