Introduction
Christmas baking brings warmth, color, and irresistible aromas to any home. These Christmas M & M Cookie Bars deliver everything people love about holiday treats: soft centers, golden edges, and festive pops of red and green chocolate candies in every slice. Easier than scooped cookies, these bars bake in one pan and feed a crowd, making them ideal for cookie exchanges, parties, and holiday dessert platters. With rich brown sugar, melted butter, chocolate chips, and crunchy M & M’s, they blend the charm of blondies with the joy of Christmas candy. They freeze beautifully, travel well, and guarantee smiles wherever they go.
History
Bar cookies became popular in the mid-20th century when home bakers wanted fast desserts that required less hands-on time. Blondies, the closest relative to these cookie bars, originated as a brown sugar-based alternative to brownies in the late 1800s. Over time, bakers began adding chocolate chips, nuts, and candies, eventually creating festive versions like these Christmas M & M Cookie Bars. Their simplicity and adaptability made them holiday staples.
Benefits
They save time compared to rolling individual cookies.
They offer perfect texture: soft, chewy, and slightly crisp around the edges.
They are ideal for kids’ parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
They freeze extremely well, making holiday prep easier.
They can be adapted to any season or color theme.
Formation
The batter starts with melted butter whisked with sugars, egg, and vanilla. Dry ingredients are folded in, followed by chocolate chips and M & M’s. The dough is pressed into a rectangular pan and baked until golden. Once cooled, it is sliced into bars.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1⁄2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup holiday M & M’s, divided
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
Melt butter in the microwave and let it cool for a few minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking soda.
In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.
Add the dry mixture to the wet and stir until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips and half of the M & M’s.
Spread the dough evenly into the greased baking pan.
Sprinkle the remaining M & M’s over the top and gently press them into the dough.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until lightly golden and edges begin to pull away.
Cool in the pan, slice into bars, and serve.
Methods
The melting butter method produces a denser, chewier bar.
Using brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor.
Folding in candies prevents them from sinking and ensures an even distribution.
Pressing additional M & M’s on top makes the bars more festive.
Lining the pan with parchment helps lift and cut clean slices.
Baking Tips
Do not overbake; the center should remain soft.
Add extra M & M’s right after baking for a brighter finish.
Scoop and level your flour to avoid dry bars.
Use parchment to remove bars easily for clean cuts.
Use a toothpick to check for doneness; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
Variations
Use different M & M colors depending on the holiday.
Add sprinkles or drizzle frosting on top once cooled.
Replace chocolate chips with white, milk, or peanut butter chips.
Add chopped nuts for texture.
Storage
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Refrigerate up to 6 days.
Freeze up to 3 months in a sealed container.
Nutrition
Approximate per bar (based on 24 bars):
Calories: 220
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fat: 10 g
Sugar: 21 g
Protein: 2 g
Values may vary depending on chocolate used.
Conclusion
Christmas M & M Cookie Bars combine the nostalgia of classic cookie recipes with the convenience of modern baking. Soft, colorful, and packed with chocolate, they are perfect for gifting, sharing, and celebrating. Whether enjoyed warm from the oven or thawed from the freezer for last-minute visitors, these bars remain a holiday favorite.
Lovers
These bars are beloved by children for their bright candies, adults for their soft and chewy texture, and bakers for their simplicity. They suit cookie swaps, family gatherings, school parties, and holiday dessert boards. They also make excellent homemade gifts when wrapped in festive packaging.
If you want, I can also make a shorter version, a printable card version, or a version adapted for 8×8 pan.
