M&M Christmas Cookie Bars

The holiday season is a time for baking, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of M&M Christmas cookie bars? These delicious treats are packed with red and green M&Ms and rich chocolate chips making them a perfect addition to any holiday celebration.

Although you could use the dough to make individual cookies, it is much easier and faster to make them into bars. That is because they don’t require scooping and shaping individual dough balls, or baking in multiple batches.

In addition cookie bars are also more forgiving than cookies, meaning that they are less likely to turn out dry or overcooked. This is because they are baked in a pan, which helps to distribute the heat evenly.

Easy to Make

One of the best things about M&M Christmas chocolate chip cookie bars is that they are incredibly easy to make. Even novice bakers can make up a batch of these bars with very little time and effort.

Simply make a standard cookie dough recipe and then fold in the M&Ms, and chocolate chips. Once the cookie batter is ready, press into a baking dish lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Then add a few more chocolate candies and chocolate chips on top and put it in the oven to bake. Once the cookie dough turns golden brown remove them from the oven and cut into small squares.

However, any time that you make Cookie Bars, in order for them to turn out perfect every time, there are a few tips that you need to follow.

Tips for Baking Perfect M&M Christmas Cookie Bars

• For best results use a 8 x 8 inch baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper (see below for an easy method for lining the baking dish).

• Use mini chocolate chips instead of standard size chocolate chips so the M&Ms are more prominent.

• Press the cookie dough into the pan firmly so that the bars are not too crumbly.

• Bake the bars until they are golden brown but not too dark.

• Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares.

• Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

How To Line a Square Dish With Parchment Paper

To make it easy to cut the M&M cookie bars it is best to line a baking dish with parchment paper that is overhanging at least on two sides. Then you can easily lift up on the parchment paper and place the solid piece onto a cutting board.

However, if you have ever tried to line a square or rectangle dish with parchment paper it can be very frustrating to get the corners to lay down smoothly. However, I have found an easy way to line a square pan with parchment paper.

Step 1: Tear off a piece of parchment paper that is 8 inches longer than the length of your pan.

Step 2: Then place your pan on top of the parchment paper length-ways. With the pan still in place cut each corner, length and width wise to the corner of the pan. Remove and discard the 4 cut out corners.

Step 3: Spray the inside of the pan with cooking spray. This will hep the parchment paper stick to the surface.

Step 4: Place the trimmed parchment paper inside the pan.

Step 5: Press the parchment into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, overlapping the corners as needed. Then fold the overhang over the edge of the pan.

However you could also use two pieces of parchment paper as well. To do this cut two pieces of parchment paper that are the exact length, long enough for each one to overhang the sides of the dish.

Then trim the parchment paper to the exact width of the baking dish. Place the two pieces in opposite directions in the dish and press into place. Now it is ready for the cookie dough.

Possible Recipe Variations For M&M Cookie Bars

• For a more intense chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate chips.
• Add a bit of peanut butter flavor by using peanut butter filled chocolate candies.
• If you don’t have red and green M&Ms, you can use any color combination you like. Although I couldn’t find a bag of Christmas M&Ms when I made these cookie bars, I sorted through a family size bag and used the others to make No Bake Monster Cookie Bites.
• You can also add other toppings, such as chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or white chocolate chips to make these cookie bars have even more flavor and texture.

How To Store

To Store: Let the bars cool completely. Then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or for 7 days in the refrigerator.

Or freeze the bars up to 3 months, placing wax paper between the layers.

To Thaw: remove the bars from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for an hour. 

M&M Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Christmas colored M&M’s

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl add the room temperature butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until creamy.

Add the eggs and vanilla to the butter and sugar mixture and mix until combined.

In a separate bowl add the flour, baking soda and salt and whisk just until combined. Slowly add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix until the dry ingredients are no longer visible.

Add the chocolate chips and M&Ms into a bowl and mix until incorporated. Add 3/4 cup of the chocolate to the batter and fold until incorporated.

Scoop the cookie dough into the pan and press down into an even layer. Then place the reserved M&M’s and chocolate chips on the top.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is just beginning to turn light golden brown in color. Allow the bars to cool completely, then remove and slice into desired size squares.

M&M Christmas cookie bars are a delicious and festive treat that is sure to become a holiday favorite.

Enjoy! Mary

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