Chewy Christmas Cookie Bars (Easy Holiday Recipe)
Chewy Christmas Cookie Bars with Holiday M&Ms and Chocolate Chips
If there’s one dessert that always disappears from the Christmas cookie tray, it’s these soft and chewy Christmas Cookie Bars. They’re buttery, packed with chocolate chips and colorful red and green M&Ms, and have those irresistible golden edges with a wonderfully gooey center.
The best part? You get all the delicious flavor of homemade chocolate chip cookies without scooping individual cookies, chilling dough, or spending hours in the kitchen.
Everything comes together in one bowl and bakes in a single pan. Whether you’re making treats for a Christmas party, preparing homemade holiday gifts, or baking something sweet with the family, these festive cookie bars are an easy favorite.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cookie Bars
There’s something special about a homemade cookie bar that’s slightly crisp around the edges and perfectly soft in the middle.
Here’s why this recipe deserves a spot on your holiday baking list:
- Quick and easy: No chilling, rolling, or cookie cutters required.
- Soft and chewy: Melted butter and an extra egg yolk create a rich, tender texture.
- Perfect for Christmas: Red and green M&Ms add beautiful holiday colors.
- Great for sharing: One 9×13-inch pan makes 16 generous bars.
- Easy to customize: Add your favorite chocolate chips, candies, or holiday toppings.
These bars also travel well, making them wonderful for cookie exchanges, school celebrations, and holiday dessert platters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of familiar baking ingredients to make these delicious Christmas cookie bars.
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted: Creates a rich, buttery flavor and chewy texture.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a delicious caramel-like sweetness.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Helps create lightly crisp, golden edges.
- 1 large egg: Holds the dough together.
- 1 additional egg yolk: Makes the centers extra rich and chewy.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Adds that classic homemade cookie flavor.
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour: Gives the bars their structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the dough rise slightly.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
- 1 cup red and green holiday M&Ms: Adds festive color and chocolate crunch.
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips: Makes every bite deliciously chocolatey.
For the best results, measure the flour using the spoon-and-level method rather than scooping directly from the bag.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Bars
These homemade Christmas cookie bars couldn’t be easier. Follow these simple steps for perfectly chewy results.
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some paper hanging over the sides.
This makes it much easier to lift the bars out after baking.
Step 2: Combine Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted, slightly cooled butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
Continue mixing until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the whole egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract.
Whisk until everything is thoroughly combined.
The mixture should become slightly lighter and thicker.
Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until no dry flour remains.
Avoid overmixing because it can make your cookie bars tough instead of tender.
Step 5: Add the Chocolate and M&Ms
Fold in ½ cup of the holiday M&Ms and ¾ cup of the chocolate chips.
Save the remaining candies and chocolate chips for the top.
Step 6: Spread Into the Pan
Transfer the cookie dough into your prepared baking pan.
Press it evenly into the corners using a spatula or lightly damp fingers.
Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and chocolate chips over the surface, pressing them gently into the dough.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake for approximately 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center appears set.
The middle should still look slightly soft but not wet or raw.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and cutting them into 16 squares.
Secrets to Perfectly Chewy Cookie Bars
A few simple baking tricks make a big difference.
Use melted butter. Unlike softened butter, melted butter helps produce a denser, chewier cookie bar.
Don’t skip the extra yolk. It adds richness and helps keep the centers tender.
Avoid overbaking. The bars continue to firm up as they cool, so remove them once the center is set.
Save candies for the top. Pressing extra M&Ms into the dough before baking gives the finished bars a beautiful Christmas appearance.
Let them cool before slicing. Warm cookie bars can crumble easily, while cooled bars hold their shape much better.
Fun Christmas Cookie Bar Variations
Want to change things up? Try one of these easy variations.
White Chocolate Christmas Bars: Replace the semisweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips.
Peppermint Chocolate Bars: Add a little peppermint extract and sprinkle crushed candy canes over the cooled bars.
Salted Caramel Cookie Bars: Drizzle cooled bars with salted caramel sauce for extra sweetness.
Birthday Cookie Bars: Replace holiday M&Ms with regular colorful candies for a year-round celebration.
How to Store Christmas Cookie Bars
Room temperature: Keep the bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigerator: Store them in a sealed container for up to 1 week if you prefer a firmer texture.
Freezer: Wrap individual bars or separate them with parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Allow frozen bars to thaw at room temperature before serving.
For a warm, gooey center, microwave an individual bar for approximately 8–10 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Christmas cookie bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake them a day or two before your holiday gathering and store them in an airtight container. They’re perfect for preparing ahead.
Why are my cookie bars dry?
Dry bars usually result from too much flour or overbaking. Measure flour carefully and remove the bars once the center is set.
Can I use regular M&Ms?
Yes! Regular M&Ms work perfectly, so you can enjoy this recipe throughout the year.
Can I freeze Christmas cookie bars?
Definitely. These bars freeze well for up to 3 months, making them excellent for advance holiday baking.
Final Thoughts
These Chewy Christmas Cookie Bars are everything a holiday dessert should be: easy, festive, buttery, and loaded with chocolate.
With their soft centers, golden edges, and colorful Christmas candies, they’re the kind of homemade treat everyone reaches for first.
Make a batch for your next holiday gathering, package a few as gifts, or simply enjoy one with a cold glass of milk.
And don’t be surprised if someone asks you for the recipe before the tray is empty!
Chewy Christmas Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Fold in flour, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Stir in ½ cup M&Ms and ¾ cup chocolate chips.
- Press dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle remaining candies and chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes until golden around the edges and set in the center.
- Cool completely before slicing into 16 bars.
