Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and loaded with festive mix-ins like M&Ms, chocolate chips, pretzels, caramels, and sprinkles. They’re baked in one pan, making them an easy and fun treat for holiday gatherings or edible gifts.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 extra large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (about 250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup extra all-purpose flour if needed
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red & green M&Ms
- 1/2 cup chopped pretzels
- 1/2 cup chopped soft caramels
- 2 tablespoons festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- In a medium bowl, melt the butter and mix with both sugars until combined.
- Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla; stir until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir dry mixture into the wet mixture just until combined—do not overmix.
- Fold in chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzels, and caramels.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Optionally, press extra M&Ms and chocolate chips on top and sprinkle with festive sprinkles.
- Bake for 16–20 minutes until edges are golden and center is set but slightly soft.
- Let cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment and slice into bars.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- No need to chill dough before baking—great for quick prep.
- Use unsalted butter for best flavor control.
- Chilling bars before slicing gives cleaner cuts.
- Store in airtight container or freeze for longer shelf life.
- Customize with favorite mix-ins like nuts or peppermint candy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium bar (1/24th of recipe)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
