Christmas Cookie Bars

Christmas Cookie Bars: The Perfect Holiday Treat

Christmas is the season for baking, and what better way to spread holiday cheer than with these delightful Christmas Cookie Bars? Packed with festive red and green M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, and a touch of white chocolate, these cookie bars are the perfect addition to any holiday dessert platter. Whether you’re preparing for a Christmas cookie exchange, baking for Santa, or simply treating your family, these cookie bars are sure to be a hit. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with Christmas flavors that will make everyone come back for seconds.

To whip up these Christmas-themed bars, you’ll need a few basic baking tools. Most importantly, a reliable hand mixer or stand mixer is essential to ensure your dough is mixed evenly and has the perfect consistency. If you don’t already have one, this is the hand mixer I recommend. It’s powerful, easy to use, and a staple in my kitchen for holiday baking. With this tool, you’ll breeze through the creaming process, which is the secret to achieving those soft and chewy cookie bars.

Why These Christmas Cookie Bars are Perfect for the Holidays

If you’re looking for inspiration for a Christmas dessert platter, these bars check all the boxes. They’re visually stunning, thanks to the festive red and green M&M’s and a sprinkle of white chocolate chips on top. Plus, they’re easy to make, requiring no rolling or cutting of individual cookies. Simply press the dough into a pan, bake, and slice into bars. This makes them a great option for a Christmas cookie exchange or even as cookies for Santa—less work, more joy!

Ingredients That Make These Bars Stand Out

Let’s talk about the magic ingredients in this M&M cookie bars recipe:

• Butter: Salted butter gives these bars a rich, creamy base. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Sugars: The combination of granulated sugar and golden brown sugar provides the perfect balance of sweetness and chewiness.
• Christmas M&M’s: These add color and crunch, making the bars truly festive.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Smaller than regular chocolate chips, they ensure chocolatey goodness in every bite.
• White Chocolate Chips: A sprinkle on top adds a touch of elegance and sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Cookie Bars

*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page

Step One: Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 aluminum pan with parchment paper and spray paper generously with nonstick cooking spray.

Step Two: Mix

In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy.

Add in eggs and vanilla extract and continue to beat.

Step Three: Add the Dry Ingredients

Lower speed of the hand mixer and add flour, baking soda and salt and mix until combined.

Step Four: Add the Christmas Cheer

Add M&M’s and mini chocolate chips and give a final stir, reserving some M&M’s, mini chocolate chips and white chocolate chips for topping cookie bars.

Step Five: Transfer

Transfer cookie dough to prepared baking dish.

Step Six: Finishing Touches

Press additional M&M’S, mini chocolate chips and white chocolate chips into top of cookie dough.

Step Six: Bake

Bake 35 minutes on middle rack of oven, or until cookie bars are light golden brown and just set. Do not over bake. Cookie bars will continue to bake as they cool.

Step Six: Cool

Let cool completely and cut. Store tightly covered.

Tips for the Best Christmas Cookie Bars

1. Don’t Overbake: These bars are done when they’re light golden brown and just set in the middle. Remember, they’ll continue to bake as they cool.
2. Line Your Pan: Use parchment paper to make lifting the bars out of the pan a breeze. This ensures clean, even slices.
3. Customize Your Toppings: While this recipe calls for M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips, you can swap in sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or your favorite festive add-ins.