Description
Christmas cookie bars deliver festive cheer with layers of sweet indulgence. Nutty, chocolatey, and perfectly spiced, these bars bring holiday joy to family gatherings and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/4 cups M&Ms (red, green, brown hues)
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 2 1/3 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9×9 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
- Sift together flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cornflour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture. Set aside for later integration.
- Melt butter in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly fluffy, approximately 2 minutes. Introduce egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until the mixture achieves a consistent texture.
- Fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Gently incorporate chocolate chips and most of the M&Ms, stirring until the dough becomes cohesive and evenly mixed.
- Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it uniformly across the surface. Strategically scatter the remaining M&Ms over the top for visual appeal and additional flavor bursts.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and dry edges that indicate complete cooking.
- Remove from oven and let the cookie bars rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Once cooled, slice into 4×4 or 5×5 squares depending on desired serving size.
Notes
- Select high-quality chocolate chips and M&Ms for richer, more vibrant flavor profiles that enhance the overall taste of the cookie bars.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create a thicker, more compact texture.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the delicious taste and soft texture.
- Use dairy-free butter and egg substitute to transform the recipe into a vegan-friendly dessert that maintains the original indulgent character.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 207
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 88 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg