Christmas Cookie Bars
These Christmas Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and filled with festive M&M’s and Christmas sprinkles. With chewy edges and gooey centers, they’re an easy treat for holiday parties, cookie trays, and gifting.
Servings: 24 Bars
Calories: 205kcal
Equipment
- 9X13 Baking Dish Metal
- Mixing Bowl Large
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Christmas M&M’s divided
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving enough overhang to lift out the bars. Lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar with a hand mixer until combined. The mixture will look crumbly.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and well combined.
- Mix in the salt and baking powder. Gradually add the flour, mixing just until a thick dough forms.
- Reserve a small handful of the Christmas M&M’s and sprinkles for the top. Gently fold the remaining M&M’s and sprinkles into the dough.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Lightly coat your hands or a spatula with cooking spray, then press the sticky dough into an even layer.
- Scatter the reserved M&M’s and sprinkles over the dough and gently press them into the surface.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. The center should still look slightly soft when you remove the pan from the oven.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper or foil overhang to lift them out, then cut into 24 bars.
Notes
- Easy lifting: Leave parchment overhanging two opposite sides of the pan to create handles.
- Neat portions: Cut the slab into four rows and six columns for 24 evenly sized bars.
- Clean cuts: Wipe your knife between slices to keep melted chocolate from smearing across the edges.
- Check baking powder: Use fresh baking powder for consistent lift, especially if your container has been open a while.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Bar | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 157IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Vitamin D: 0.1µg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg