Dessert

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

ByThomas Greene December 4, 2025December 4, 2025

Introduction

These Christmas Cookie Bars are a festive twist on classic cookie flavors, packed with colorful M&Ms and rich milk chocolate chips. Perfect for sharing during the holidays, they combine a soft, chewy texture with a delightful crunch on top.

The image shows several thick, square cookie bars stacked on a white plate with a white marbled texture beneath it. Each bar has a crumbly, light brown top layer with embedded colorful candy pieces in red and green. Inside, there is a dense, soft middle layer filled with visible semi-sweet chocolate chips and red and green candy. The bars have a slightly rough texture on top with a dense, chewy look inside. Around the plate, red and green candies and chocolate chips are scattered. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

275 g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp cornflour
1 tsp cinnamon
115 g unsalted butter
55 g granulated sugar
135 g light brown sugar
1 medium egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
200 g red, green, and brown M&Ms
150 g milk chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan). Line a 9×9 inch square baking tin with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cornflour, and cinnamon until evenly combined. Set aside.
Step 3: In a larger bowl, melt the butter. Add the granulated sugar and light brown sugar, then whisk for about 2 minutes until the sugar begins to dissolve and the mixture is smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking briefly until fully combined.
Step 4: Gently fold the dry ingredients, all but a handful of the Christmas-colored M&Ms, and the milk chocolate chips into the wet mixture using a spatula until a thick cookie dough forms.
Step 5: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking tin. Press the reserved handful of M&Ms onto the top for decoration. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the top looks dry.
Step 6: Allow the cookie bars to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into 4×4 large bars or 5×5 smaller bars. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use festive colored candy pieces other than M&Ms, like white chocolate chips or crushed peppermint, to vary the look and taste.
For extra gooey bars, reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes and keep a close eye on the texture.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and achieve a thicker bar.

Storage

Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They also freeze well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave or enjoy thawed at room temperature for a fresh-baked feel.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a square blondie bar held between a woman's thumb and forefinger, showing one layer with golden brown crumbly texture mixed with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces in red and green. In the blurred background, more blondie squares lie flat on a white marbled surface, decorated with scattered red and green candies and shiny silver Christmas ornaments hinting a festive theme. The image has soft lighting that highlights the texture and colors, focusing sharply on the blondie piece in the foreground. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute the butter for oil or margarine?

Butter provides flavor and texture that oil or margarine may not replicate perfectly. Using margarine is possible but may slightly affect texture. Oil is not recommended as it can make the bars greasy.