Oh, the smell of buttery dough and melting chocolate in the oven – that’s when I know Christmas is really here! Every December, my kitchen turns into a holiday bakery, and these Christmas bar cookies are always the star of the show. They’re my go-to when I need something festive that comes together fast (because who has time for fussy recipes during the holidays?). The best part? One batch makes enough to share with neighbors, coworkers, and that unexpected guest who always drops by during the season. These bars have everything – rich buttery base, sweet bursts of M&M’s, and pockets of creamy white chocolate. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become as much a part of your holiday tradition as it is mine!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Bar Cookies
Listen, I’ve baked my fair share of holiday treats, but these Christmas bar cookies? They’re absolute magic. Here’s why they’ve become my December must-have:
- One-bowl wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time decorating the tree (or sneaking extra bites of dough).
- Festive in every bite: Those red and green M&M’s make each bar look like a wrapped present.
- Soft yet sturdy: Perfect for stacking in cookie tins without crumbling everywhere.
- Crowd-pleaser: Kids go wild for the candy, adults adore the white chocolate sophistication.
- Forgiving recipe: Even if you overmix slightly, they’ll still turn out delicious.
The smell alone will have your whole family gathered in the kitchen – just warning you!
Ingredients for Christmas Bar Cookies
Okay, let’s talk ingredients – because using the right stuff makes all the difference with these holiday treats. I’ve learned through many Christmases (and many batches) that quality matters, but don’t stress about being fancy. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 1 cup butter, softened – Not melted! Leave it out for about 30 minutes until your finger leaves a gentle dent
- 1 cup packed brown sugar – Pack it in the measuring cup like you mean it – this adds that perfect chew
- 1 large egg – Room temperature blends better (I just pop it in warm water for 5 minutes if I forget to take it out)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon it into the cup and level off – no packing here!
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – The good stuff makes a difference, but imitation works in a pinch
- 1/2 tsp salt – Just enough to balance all that sweetness
- 1 cup red and green M&M’s – The holiday colors make these extra festive (but any color works!)
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips – They melt into little pockets of creamy goodness
See? Nothing too crazy – just simple ingredients that create magic when combined. Now let’s get mixing!
How to Make Christmas Bar Cookies
Alright, let’s bake some holiday magic! I’ve made these Christmas bar cookies so many times I could probably do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step like I’m right there in your kitchen with you. The key is not to rush – good things come to those who bake (or something like that).
Mixing the Dough
First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grab your biggest mixing bowl (trust me, you’ll need the space). Now, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy – about 2 minutes with a mixer or 3-4 by hand. This step is crucial! You want it looking like caramel-colored clouds.
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla until everything’s smooth. Don’t worry if it looks a bit curdled at first – keep mixing and it’ll come together beautifully. Now, gradually add the flour and salt mixture. I usually do this in three additions, mixing just until combined each time. Overmixing makes tough cookies, and nobody wants that!
Here comes the fun part – gently fold in those festive M&M’s and white chocolate chips. I like to save a handful of M&M’s to press into the top before baking for extra holiday cheer. The dough will be thick – that’s perfect!
Baking and Cooling
Lightly grease your 9×13-inch baking pan (I use butter wrappers for this – no waste!). Now press that gorgeous dough evenly into the pan. Pro tip: dampen your fingers slightly to prevent sticking while you press. You want it packed down firmly but not smashed.
Bake for about 25 minutes – you’ll know it’s done when the edges turn a lovely golden brown but the center still looks slightly soft. Remember, it keeps cooking as it cools! Let the pan sit on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before cutting – I know it’s tempting, but patience gives you clean cuts.
When it’s time, use a sharp knife to slice into 24 perfect little bars. The scent of buttery vanilla with bursts of chocolate will have everyone gathering around the kitchen. Warning: these disappear fast, so hide a few for yourself!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Bar Cookies
After making these Christmas bar cookies for years, I’ve picked up some tricks that’ll guarantee bakery-level results every time. First – press that dough evenly into the pan! Uneven thickness means some bars will be overdone while others stay doughy. My trick? Use the bottom of a measuring cup to smooth it out – just give it a quick spritz of cooking spray first so it doesn’t stick.
Watch that oven like a hawk after 20 minutes – these go from perfect to overbaked in a flash. The edges should be golden, but the center should still look slightly soft when you pull them out. And here’s my secret storage tip: layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week (if they last that long!).
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
One of my favorite things about these Christmas bar cookies is how easily you can mix things up! Don’t have M&M’s? No problem – toss in chopped pecans or walnuts instead for a grown-up twist. The crunch is amazing! Not a white chocolate fan? Dark chocolate chips or even butterscotch morsels work beautifully here.
For my gluten-free friends, I’ve had great results swapping the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend (just add an extra tablespoon of butter since GF flour tends to be drier). And during springtime, I’ll sometimes use pastel M&M’s – they’re like edible confetti! The basic recipe stays the same; it’s your chance to make it your own holiday tradition.
Serving and Storing Christmas Bar Cookies
Here’s the best part – these Christmas bar cookies taste amazing warm or at room temperature! I love serving them slightly warm from the oven with a cold glass of milk – the white chocolate gets all melty and heavenly. But truthfully? They’re just as delicious the next day when all the flavors have settled in.
For storage, I swear by airtight containers with a sheet of parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about 5 days (though they rarely last that long in my house!). Want to get ahead? These freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – just wrap individual bars in plastic wrap before freezing. Thaw at room temperature when those holiday cravings hit!
Christmas Bar Cookies Nutrition Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist (just a cookie enthusiast!), but here’s the scoop on what’s in these festive treats. Each bar averages about 180 calories with that perfect balance of sweet and salty. Keep in mind these numbers are estimates – your exact count might vary depending on your ingredients and how big you cut those bars!
FAQs About Christmas Bar Cookies
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many great questions about these Christmas bar cookies – here are the ones that pop up most often!
Can I freeze these bar cookies?
Absolutely! These freeze like a dream. Just let them cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap before popping them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months. When holiday cravings strike, thaw at room temperature – or my secret? Microwave one for 10 seconds and enjoy melty chocolate perfection!
How can I make these gluten-free?
I’ve tested this recipe with cup-for-cup gluten-free flour with fantastic results! Just add an extra tablespoon of butter since GF blends tend to be drier. Everything else stays exactly the same – same delicious taste, same festive look, no one will know the difference!
My bars came out crumbly – what went wrong?
Ah, this usually means they baked just a smidge too long. Next time, pull them out when the center still looks slightly soft – they’ll firm up as they cool. Also, make sure you’re measuring your flour correctly (spoon it into the cup, don’t scoop!). And don’t skip that crucial cooling time before cutting!
Can I use different mix-ins?
Please do! That’s half the fun. Swap M&M’s for crushed peppermint candies during Christmas, or use dark chocolate chips instead of white. One year I added dried cranberries and orange zest – holiday magic! Just keep your total add-ins to about 1½ cups so the dough holds together.
Share Your Christmas Bar Cookies
Now it’s your turn – I’d love to hear how your Christmas bar cookies turned out! Did you stick with the classic M&M’s or try something wild like crushed candy canes? Snap a photo and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your holiday baking adventures. And if this recipe becomes part of your family traditions like it is mine? Well, that’s the best Christmas gift a baker could ask for!
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55 Best Christmas Bar Cookies – Festive & Irresistible!
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas bar cookies packed with festive flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup red and green M&M’s
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Mix flour and salt, then blend into butter mixture.
- Fold in M&M’s and chocolate chips.
- Press dough into greased 9×13-inch pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until edges turn golden.
- Cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Store in airtight container for up to a week.
- Swap M&M’s for nuts if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, festive desserts