Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with festive flavor. Made with a buttery sugar cookie base and loaded with holiday M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles, they’re the perfect quick treat for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or a cozy night in. One bowl, no chilling, and ready in under an hour!
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure the cookie bars don’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates the base for your cookie bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bars.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the red and green M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and holiday sprinkles until they are evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
- Spread Dough and Bake: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Bake for 22–25 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the center is just set but not overbaked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 24 individual bars. This helps them set properly and hold their shape.
Notes
- For extra holiday flair, press a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles on top before baking.
- You can swap in milk or dark chocolate chips for the white chocolate chips if preferred.
- Use different colored candies or sprinkles to customize these bars for other holidays or celebrations.
