Description
Soft, thick, chewy cookie bars loaded with festive M&M’s and chocolate chips, balancing rich buttery sweetness with colorful bursts. Perfect for holiday celebrations, gift-giving, and party platters.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt (or 1 tsp kosher salt)
1 cup chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
1 cup M&M’s (plus more for topping)
Instructions
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Preheat oven: Set to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment or foil, leaving overhang. Spray lightly with non-stick spray.
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Mix dough: Cream butter and sugars with a mixer for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
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Add dry ingredients: Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt just until combined.
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Fold in mix-ins: Gently fold in chocolate chips and M&M’s, reserving about ¼ cup for topping.
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Assemble and bake: Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Press reserved chocolate chips and M&M’s firmly on top. Bake 30–35 minutes (or 20 minutes if using a larger, thinner pan) until tops are barely golden.
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Cool and slice: Let cool completely before cutting into bars for clean slices.
Notes
Use room-temperature butter for proper creaming and texture.
Avoid overmixing flour to keep bars tender.
Chill dough to control spreading and maintain thickness.
Press candy toppings firmly to prevent sinking.
Use sharp knife for neat cuts.
Store airtight at room temperature up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/24 bar
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 110
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 29
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 30
Keywords: christmas m&m cookie bars, holiday cookie bars, chewy m&m bars, festive candy cookie bars, easy christmas dessert