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If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and irresistibly chewy holiday treat, these Chewy Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are an absolute must-make. Bursting with colorful M&Ms and studded with chocolate chips, these bars bring holiday cheer to every bite. They’re soft, gooey, and easy to slice, making them perfect for gift-giving, cookie exchanges, or family dessert tables.
Unlike traditional drop cookies, cookie bars are easy to assemble, cut neatly, and offer the same comforting flavors as your favorite classic cookies. The combination of chewy texture, sweet chocolate, and the crunch of M&Ms creates a dessert that’s both fun and satisfying for all ages.
Why Cookie Bars Are Ideal for the Holidays
Cookie bars are a holiday favorite because they’re:
- Quick to make: No individual scooping required
- Uniform and neat: Perfect for gifting or serving large groups
- Chewy and festive: Easy to customize with seasonal candies
With Christmas M&Ms, these cookie bars are instantly recognizable as a holiday treat, brightening dessert tables with a pop of color and nostalgia.
Ingredients
Cookie Bar Base
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1½ cups festive red and green M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and 1 cup of M&Ms, reserving ½ cup M&Ms for topping.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Press the remaining M&Ms on top for a festive look.
- Bake for 25–28 minutes, until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
- Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Tips for Perfect Chewy Cookie Bars
- Do not overbake: Cookie bars continue to firm up as they cool; centers should look slightly underbaked when removed.
- Room temperature butter: Ensures smooth, fluffy batter and even baking.
- Chill dough if needed: For thicker bars, refrigerate dough 15–20 minutes before spreading.
- Use high-quality chocolate chips: Adds richness and prevents artificial taste.
- Add a pinch of salt on top: Enhances the sweetness and chocolate flavor.
Texture & Flavor Breakdown
- Chewy centers: Soft and satisfying
- Golden edges: Slightly crisp for contrast
- Chocolate chips: Melty, rich, decadent
- M&Ms: Crunchy and colorful, festive touch
Every bite delivers nostalgia, sweetness, and a chewy texture that keeps you coming back for more.
Variations & Customizations
Peanut Butter M&M Bars
Replace half the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips for a nutty twist.
White Chocolate & Peppermint
Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate and add crushed peppermint candies for a holiday minty flavor.
Gluten-Free Option
Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the same chewy texture.
Nutty Twist
Fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
Extra Chewy
Add 1 tsp cornstarch to the dry ingredients for an even softer, thicker bar.
Serving Suggestions
These Chewy Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are versatile and festive:
- Pack in decorative tins as gifts
- Serve alongside hot cocoa or eggnog
- Include in cookie trays or dessert buffets
- Perfect for holiday parties, classroom treats, or neighbor gifts
Their bright colors and chewy texture make them a favorite among kids and adults alike.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Make ahead: Assemble dough and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Cut cooled bars into squares and freeze in layers with parchment paper for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Microwave for 10–15 seconds for a fresh-baked feel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing flour (leads to tough bars)
- Baking too long (dry, crumbly bars)
- Using too many M&Ms inside (can cause uneven baking)
- Cutting before cooling (can cause crumbling)
Follow the steps carefully, and your bars will turn out perfectly chewy and festive every time.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe works because it balances chewy texture, sweet chocolate, and festive candy perfectly. By folding M&Ms into the batter and pressing a few on top, you achieve that classic holiday look and flavor. The combination of brown and granulated sugar ensures chewiness while golden edges add slight crispness, making these bars irresistible.
They are quick enough for a last-minute holiday treat but special enough to impress friends and family.
Fun Holiday Twist Ideas
- Rainbow M&M Bars: Use colored M&Ms for birthdays or other holidays.
- Cookie Bar Sandwiches: Sandwich frosting or Nutella between two bars for an extra indulgent treat.
- Drizzle: Add a white or dark chocolate drizzle on top for a professional finish.
These chewy Christmas M&M cookie bars aren’t just dessert—they’re a fun, festive, and shareable holiday tradition.
chewy christmas m&m cookie bars
Soft, chewy cookie bars loaded with festive M&Ms and chocolate chips—perfect for holiday baking and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch pan.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter with brown and granulated sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and 1 cup M&Ms.
- Spread dough into pan and press remaining M&Ms on top.
- Bake 25–28 minutes until edges are golden and centers soft.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
Bars taste best fully cooled to maintain chewy texture.
