Description
These festive Christmas Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with holiday flavors. Made with white chocolate chips, M&M’s, and a hint of cinnamon, they’re the perfect easy-to-make treat for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, and gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup red and green M&M’s
- ½ cup crushed candy canes (optional)
For the Topping:
- ½ cup additional M&M’s
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Create the Dough: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in white chocolate chips, M&M’s, and crushed candy canes.
- Bake: Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle additional M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles on top. Bake for 22-25 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool & Slice: Let bars cool completely before lifting them out of the pan. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, in the fridge for 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Customization Options:
- Peppermint Chocolate: Swap white chocolate for dark chocolate and add more crushed candy canes.
- Gingerbread Spice: Add 1 teaspoon ginger and ½ teaspoon nutmeg.
- Nutty Delight: Mix in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Frosted Fun: Drizzle with melted white chocolate or vanilla glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- cooling time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cookie bars, holiday desserts, easy cookie bars, festive baking, Christmas treats