M&M Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe – Easy Holiday Treat

These M&M Christmas Cookie Bars are my go-to for holiday baking. They have that perfect soft, chewy cookie texture, studded with colorful M&M’s and two kinds of chocolate chips, all baked into an easy-to-cut bar. No chilling or scooping required, which makes them a lifesaver when you’re busy with other holiday preparations. The recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly, meaning you can have a crowd-pleasing treat ready in no time. They’re practically foolproof and always disappear fast. Ingredients: 2 sticks salted butter (at room temperature) 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup golden brown sugar (firmly packed) 3 large eggs (at room temperature) 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups Christmas M&M’s (plus more for topping) 1 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping) 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (for topping) Making the Cookie Bars Creaming the Butter and Sugars The foundation of these bars starts with properly creaming the butter and sugars. You want your butter to be truly at room temperature – soft enough that you can easily indent it with your finger, but not melted or greasy. This is important because it allows the butter to incorporate air when beaten with the sugars. In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the 2 sticks of softened salted butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of f

M&M Christmas Cookie Bars

These M&M Christmas Cookie Bars are my go-to for holiday baking. They have that perfect soft, chewy cookie texture, studded with colorful M&M’s and two kinds of chocolate chips, all baked into an easy-to-cut bar. No chilling or scooping required, which makes them a lifesaver when you’re busy with other holiday preparations. The recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly, meaning you can have a crowd-pleasing treat ready in no time. They’re practically foolproof and always disappear fast.

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks salted butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup golden brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups Christmas M&M’s (plus more for topping)
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (for topping)

Making the Cookie Bars

Creaming the Butter and Sugars

The foundation of these bars starts with properly creaming the butter and sugars. You want your butter to be truly at room temperature – soft enough that you can easily indent it with your finger, but not melted or greasy. This is important because it allows the butter to incorporate air when beaten with the sugars. In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the 2 sticks of softened salted butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of firmly packed golden brown sugar. Beat this mixture on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes, until it’s light and fluffy and pale in color. You’ll see the texture change significantly; it should look like soft whipped cream. This step is what contributes to the chewiness and overall texture of the finished bars. If your butter isn’t soft enough, the sugars won’t cream properly, leading to denser bars.

Adding Wet Ingredients

Once the butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy, it’s time to add the wet ingredients. Add the 3 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. It’s important that your eggs are also at room temperature, just like the butter. Cold eggs can sometimes cause the butter mixture to curdle or separate. After the eggs are well combined, stir in the 1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix just until the vanilla is distributed. Don’t overbeat at this stage; we’re just looking for everything to come together smoothly.

Combining Dry Ingredients and Mixing Them In

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisking the dry ingredients together ensures that the leavening agent (baking soda) and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is essential for consistent results. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl, mixing on low speed or by hand with a spatula. Mix only until the flour streaks just disappear. It’s very important not to overmix the dough at this point. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough cookie bars instead of tender, chewy ones. Stop mixing as soon as you don’t see any more dry flour.

Folding in the Goodies

This is where the fun begins! Gently fold in the 1 1/2 cups of Christmas M&M’s and 1 cup of mini chocolate chips using a spatula or wooden spoon. Make sure to reserve some extra M&M’s and mini chocolate chips if you want to sprinkle them on top for decoration later. Fold them in just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. You don’t want to crush the M&M’s or break the chocolate chips too much. The dough will be thick and quite full of delicious additions.

Baking and Finishing

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it down and smooth the surface. If you reserved extra M&M’s and mini chocolate chips, now is the time to press them gently into the surface of the dough. For a final touch, sprinkle the 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center looks set but still slightly soft. Be careful not to overbake, as this will result in dry bars.

Cooling and Cutting

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a critical step for easy cutting. Trying to cut them while they are warm will likely result in crumbly, messy bars. Patience is key here! Once fully cooled, you can use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of cookie bars out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles. For the cleanest cuts, you can wipe the knife clean between cuts. Store the M&M Christmas Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They are wonderful for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just enjoying with a glass of milk.

Conclusion:

These M&M Christmas Cookie Bars truly deliver on all fronts: festive, delicious, and incredibly easy to make. They’re perfect for bake sales, office parties, or just a sweet treat to share with family during the holidays. The combination of chewy cookie, melty chocolate chips, and crunchy M&M’s makes them a crowd-pleaser every single time. You can easily customize them by swapping out the M&M colors for other holidays or events. For a different twist, try adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking. Store any leftovers (if there are any!) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They might even taste better the next day as the flavors meld. I encourage you to give these bars a try for your next holiday gathering; they’re always a hit!

FAQ

Can I use regular-sized M&M’s instead of Christmas ones?

Yes, absolutely! You can use any color of M&M’s you like. For Christmas, the red and green are classic, but you could use blue and white for Hanukkah, or any color mix for a birthday. Just be aware that regular-sized M&M’s are larger and might not distribute as evenly as the mini ones, and they can sometimes spread more during baking.

How do I store M&M Christmas Cookie Bars?

Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing parchment paper between layers can help prevent them from sticking together. They stay fresh for about 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

My bars spread too much. What did I do wrong?

Spreading can happen for a few reasons. Make sure your butter wasn’t too soft or melted when you creamed it with the sugars. Overmixing the dough after adding the flour can also activate the gluten too much, leading to spread. Finally, ensure your oven temperature is accurate. If your oven runs hot, the bars can bake too quickly and spread out.

M&M Christmas Cookie Bars

Festive and easy M&M Christmas cookie bars loaded with M&Ms and chocolate chips, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
30 Minutes

Total Time
45 Minutes

Servings
24 bars

Ingredients

• 2 sticks salted butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup golden brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups Christmas M&M’s (plus more for topping)
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Step 2
   In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Step 5
   Stir in the Christmas M&Ms and mini chocolate chips.
6. Step 6
   Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle additional M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips over the top.
7. Step 7
   Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
8. Step 8
   Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.