The BEST Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

I’m obsessed with these Christmas Cookie Bars that bring a perfect blend of rich butter and festive fun to the table. Every bite bursts with holiday M&M’s and sprinkles that brighten your spirit. I feel nostalgic every time I indulge. They are soft yet satisfyingly chewy and perfect for sharing with loved ones.

I’m excited to share my recipe for The BEST Christmas Cookie Bars thats become a family favorite. This recipe uses ingredients like 1 cup unsalted butter softened and 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar, which gives the bars a rich flavor and smooth texture.

I also mix in 2 large eggs at room temp and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract that help bring all the flavors together. The dry mix of 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt provides the base for these festive treats.

Adding 1 cup holiday M&M’s and 1/2 cup colorful Christmas sprinkles not only gives it that fun holiday look but also a bit of extra sweetness. I noticed that these bars offer a good balance of energy from fats and sugars making them a smart choice for Christmas party desserts and easy Xmas baking ideas.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for several reasons. First, i really appreciate how the combination of butter and sugars creates such a rich and comforting flavor that always reminds me of home. Second, i enjoy the fun twist that comes from mixing in holiday M&M’s and colorful sprinkles which makes every bite feel festive and unexpected. Third, it’s a straightforward recipe that never feels too complicated, making it perfect for when i want to whip up something delicious without too much fuss. Lastly, i love that these cookie bars are a hit with my family every time, so i feel connected to them and to our holiday traditions every time i bake them.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter gives rich flavor and moisture to these yummy cookie bars.
• Light brown sugar adds a mild caramel taste and a sweet, soft texture.
• Granulated sugar boosts the overall sweetness and gives a crisp edge.
• Eggs provide protein and bind the ingredients, helping hold the bars together.
• Vanilla extract offers a warm flavor that ties all the tastes in the bars.
• Holiday M&M’s offer a fun pop of color and extra bursts of sugary crunch.
• Christmas sprinkles add festive vibes and a subtle, pleasing sweetness on top.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temp
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup holiday M&M’s
• 1/2 cup colorful Christmas sprinkles

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch pan.

2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with 1 1/2 cups of packed light brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well blended.

4. In a separate bowl, mix together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

5. Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, making sure you dont overmix.

6. Fold in 1 cup of holiday M&M’s and 1/2 cup of colorful Christmas sprinkles, so they distribute evenly throughout the batter.

7. Pour the batter into your greased pan and spread it out evenly.

8. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with some moist crumbs.

9. Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes.

10. Once cool, cut the bars into squares and enjoy these delicious, soft, delicious blondies with your family!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. A 9×13-inch baking pan (greased)
3. A large mixing bowl (for creaming butter and sugars)
4. A medium mixing bowl (for combining the dry ingredients)
5. An electric or hand mixer (to beat the butter with sugars and eggs)
6. Measuring cups and spoons (for all ingredients)
7. A spatula (to stir the batter and fold in the M&M’s and sprinkles)
8. A toothpick (to check if the blondies are done)
9. A knife (to cut the bars into squares)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
  A: Yes you can but you need to cut down on the extra salt else it might get too salty.
• Q: What if I dont have holiday M&M’s?
  A: You can swap them with regular chocolate chips or even a mix of candy pieces, though the festive look might not be the same.
• Q: Why do I need room temp eggs?
  A: Room temp eggs blend better with the butter making your cookie bars turn out extra smooth.
• Q: How long should i bake these cookie bars?
  A: Bake them for about 25 to 28 minutes but keep an eye on them coz every oven can act differntly.
• Q: Can i store these bars later?
  A: Yup, they keep well in an airtight container at room temp for a few days.

The BEST Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of 1 cup unsalted butter, try using 1 cup margarine or coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio. Sometimes these options work really well in a pinch
• For 2 large eggs, you can make flax eggs by mixing 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. It might change the texture a bit but should be fine
• If you run out of vanilla extract, you could substitute 1 teaspoon of almond extract which gives a nice different flavour
• Instead of holiday M&M’s, feel free to mix it up with other chocolate candies like chopped Reese’s Pieces or even chocolate chips if thats what you have lying around

Pro Tips

1. Make sure all your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin. That helps the ingredients combine better and gives you a more consistent texture in your blondies.

2. Be super careful when mixing the dry ingredients into the wet ones. Overmixing can make the blondies tough, so stir until just combined, even if it means there are a few lumps.

3. When you’re folding in the holiday M&M’s and sprinkles, do it gently. You dont want to break them up and lose the cool festive look and bursts of flavor.

4. Let the baked blondies cool completely in the pan before cutting them. This waiting time helps everything set properly so your bars come out neat and don’t fall apart.