There is something undeniably magical about the smell of brown sugar and vanilla wafting through the kitchen in December. While I love a classic cutout cookie, sometimes you just need a treat that delivers maximum festive cheer with minimal effort. That is exactly where these Chewy Christmas M&M Cookie Bars come in.
Packed with vibrant red and green candies and white chocolate chips, this recipe captures the nostalgia of the holidays in a soft, buttery bar. It’s the ultimate “mix, press, and bake” dessert that saves you hours of rolling dough but still tastes like a labor of love.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas M&M Cookie Bars
- Faster than Cookies: No chilling dough, no rolling, and no rotating baking sheets. Just press into a pan and bake!
- Incredible Texture: These bars are thick, dense, and chewy—somewhere between a soft batch cookie and a blondie.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The festive colors make them perfect for a easy Christmas dessert platter or a kid’s school party.
- Versatile: You can easily swap the mix-ins to match any holiday or pantry staple.
What It Tastes Like
Imagine your favorite chocolate chip cookie, but thicker, softer, and richer. The brown sugar base gives these bars a deep, caramel-like flavor (that classic blondie taste), while the M&Ms provide a satisfying chocolate crunch. The edges get delightfully crisp and golden, while the center remains soft and gooey. It’s a textural masterpiece that is sweet, buttery, and comforting.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make this festive baking recipe:
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter creates that dense, chewy texture we love. If you use salted butter, just reduce the added salt in the recipe.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar works here. This is crucial for moisture and chewiness.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps give the top that shiny, crackly crust.
- Egg + Egg Yolk: The extra yolk adds richness and keeps the bars tender.
- Vanilla Extract: A generous splash enhances the buttery flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base. Measure by spooning and leveling to avoid dry bars.
- Cornstarch: My secret ingredient! A tiny bit of cornstarch keeps the bars soft for days.
- Christmas M&Ms: The star of the show. Use the holiday red and green blend.
- White Chocolate Chips: Adds creamy pockets of sweetness.
- Substitution: You can swap white chips for semi-sweet chips or chopped nuts.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Pro Tip: Lightly grease the foil to ensure absolutely no sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and combined. Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Pro Tip: Do not overmix! Overmixing develops gluten and makes the bars tough instead of tender.
- Fold in Candy: Gently fold in 3/4 cup of the M&Ms and the white chocolate chips.
- Press and Bake: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it into an even layer. Press the remaining M&Ms onto the top of the dough (this makes them look pretty and professional!).
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still looks slightly soft.
- Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. They will firm up as they cool. Lift them out using the parchment overhang and slice into squares.
Storage & Freezing
- Room Temperature: Store these holiday cookie bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days. (If they last that long!)
- Freezing: These freeze beautifully. Slice the cooled bars and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thawing: Let them thaw on the counter for about 30 minutes before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I double this recipe? Yes! You can double the ingredients and bake it in a 9×13 inch pan. You may need to add 3-5 minutes to the baking time.
Why are my bars cakey? This usually happens if there was too much flour (measure carefully!) or if you whipped too much air into the eggs. Stir gently by hand for a fudgy texture.
Can I use different candies? Absolutely. While this is a Christmas M&M Cookie Bars recipe, you can use peanut butter chips, crushed peppermint, or chopped candy bars to switch it up.
Conclusion
I hope these Chewy Christmas M&M Cookie Bars become a new tradition in your home! They are the perfect low-stress, high-reward treat for the busy holiday season.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to see your festive creations! Leave a rating below and tag me on Instagram or Pinterest so I can share your bake!
