Santa’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Santa’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are a soft, chewy, and festive treat loaded with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, holiday M&Ms, and colorful sprinkles. These bars bake up with a tender texture and plenty of holiday cheer, perfect for sharing or gifting during the season.

You’ll love these bars because the peanut butter and oats create a chewy, flavorful base while the mix-ins add sweetness, crunch, and color. Using parchment paper with overhang makes for easy removal and neat slicing, and topping with more sprinkles adds a festive finish.

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ⅓ cup smooth peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick cook oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup mini white chocolate chips
• 1 cup holiday M&Ms
• 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper folded to fit, leaving overhang for easy removal. Spray parchment lightly with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add vanilla, egg, and egg yolk; mix to combine.

4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and oats; mix until well blended.

5. Fold in white chocolate chips, ¾ cup of M&Ms, and half the sprinkles.

6. Press dough evenly into prepared pan, making sure to fill corners.

7. Top with remaining M&Ms and sprinkles, pressing lightly to adhere.

8. Bake 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares.

Tips for Success

• Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal and clean cuts.

• Avoid overbaking for soft, chewy bars.

• Use quick oats for tender texture.

• Press mix-ins on top for festive look.

• Chill batter briefly if too soft to press into pan.

Delicious Variations

• Substitute peanut butter M&Ms for regular M&Ms for a sweeter twist.

• Add chopped nuts or dried fruit.

• Use white chocolate chunks instead of chips.

• Drizzle melted chocolate over finished bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.

How long will bars keep?

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze baked bars?

Yes, freeze wrapped tightly for up to 3 months.

Are the bars very sweet?

They have balanced sweetness with peanut butter and chocolate flavors.

Can these be made vegan?

Use vegan butter, egg replacers, and dairy-free chocolate substitutes.

Santa’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

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• Author: Emma Hart
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft and chewy peanut butter cookie bars with festive oats, mini white chocolate chips, holiday M&M’s, and colorful sprinkles. A joyful holiday treat perfect for sharing or gifting.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

½ cup butter, softened

⅓ cup smooth peanut butter

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup quick-cook oats

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup mini white chocolate chips

1 cup holiday M&M’s

2 tbsp holiday sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper with overhang for easy removal. Lightly spray parchment.

2. Mix wet ingredients: Beat butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until combined.

4. Incorporate dry ingredients: Stir in flour, baking soda, and oats until well mixed.

5. Add mix-ins: Fold in white chocolate chips, ¾ cup M&M’s, and half the sprinkles.

6. Assemble bars: Press dough evenly into the prepared pan, filling corners. Top with remaining M&M’s and sprinkles, pressing lightly to adhere.

7. Bake and cool: Bake 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.

See also  4 ingredient peanut butter cookies​

Notes

Use parchment paper with overhang for neat removal and clean squares.

Avoid overbaking to keep bars soft and chewy.

Quick oats provide tender chew without hardness.

Chill dough briefly if too soft to press well.

Press toppings firmly for festive presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dessert, Bars
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/24 bar
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 16
• Sodium: 110
• Fat: 9
• Saturated Fat: 5
• Unsaturated Fat: 4
• Carbohydrates: 24
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 4
• Cholesterol: 35

Keywords: peanut butter cookie bars, holiday peanut butter bars, festive m&m bars, chewy christmas bars, quick peanut butter dessert