These Christmas cookie bars are loaded with red and green M&M’s, semi‑sweet chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles. The buttery, chewy bars are an easy, crowd‑pleasing holiday dessert that’s perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
This homemade Christmas cookie bars recipe is quick to prepare and bakes in a single pan, making it ideal when you want the flavor of freshly baked cookies without the time required to form and bake individual rounds.
What Readers Are Saying
“This is probably the best recipe I’ve found online. I made these for coworkers the last day before Christmas and everyone said they were amazing. One person told me not to make them again because she couldn’t stop eating them. This will be my go‑to for the holidays!” — Danielle
Christmas M&M cookie bars are an easy way to feed a group without the effort of baking multiple cookie sheets. Prepare one pan, bake, slice, and serve — simple and festive.
Try them for a holiday dessert table, classroom party, or as a packaged gift when you need a cheerful, homemade treat. The combination of M&M candy, chocolate chips, and sprinkles makes each bar colorful and fun.
What is a bar cookie?
Bar cookies are made from cookie dough or batter spread into an 8×8 or 9×13 pan and baked as a single slab, then cut into squares or bars. They’re an efficient way to produce large quantities of cookies with minimal hands‑on time. Bar cookies are ideal for potlucks, bake sales, and busy holiday baking sessions.
If you prefer classic drop cookies, try making the same dough into individual cookies instead of pressing into a pan.
How to Make
Mix the batter: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.
Add the mix‑ins: Fold in about three‑quarters of the M&Ms, chocolate chips, and sprinkles so they are evenly distributed through the dough.
Assemble: Press the cookie dough evenly into a parchment‑lined 9×13 baking pan. Scatter the remaining M&Ms, chocolate chips, and sprinkles on top and gently press them into the surface.
Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out with the parchment and cutting into squares. Cooling helps the bars set and slice cleanly.
How do you know when cookie bars are done?
Cookie bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out free of wet batter and the edges have browned slightly and started to pull away from the sides of the pan. The top should be a light golden brown.
Best Way To Store Cookie Bars
Store Christmas cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain moist and chewy for several days; after that they may begin to dry out.
For longer storage, place cooled bars in a freezer‑safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Best Sprinkles to Use
Colorful jimmies or nonpareils that hold their shape work best for baking. Avoid sanding sugar or loose colored sugar crystals, which can melt and lose definition during baking.
Will cookies harden as they cool?
Like most baked goods, these bars will firm up as they cool. The hot pan continues to cook the interior slightly after removal from the oven. If you prefer a softer, chewier bar, remove them a minute or two earlier; for a slightly firmer texture, allow the full bake time.
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Carmelitas
- Peppermint Patty Stuffed Cookies – just 4 ingredients
- Christmas Snowball Cookies
- Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
- Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Christmas Cookie Bars
Author: Jaclyn
15 mins
20 mins
35 mins
24 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
- 1 cup semi‑sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined.
- Fold in about 3/4 of the M&Ms, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Top with the remaining M&Ms, chips, and sprinkles, pressing them lightly into the dough.
- Bake 20–25 minutes or until the edges are lightly brown. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze cooled bars for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 37 g |
Protein: 3 g |
Fat: 13 g
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your photos and tag your holiday baking so others can enjoy your version of these festive bars.
