Holiday M&M cookie bars are thick, chewy blondie‑style bars loaded with red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and mini chocolate chips. They bake in one pan, slice easily, and are perfect for cookie exchanges, school parties, and Christmas dessert trays.
Holiday M&M Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened or just melted and cooled slightly
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1 cup packed light brown sugar
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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2 1/2 cups all‑purpose flour
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1 tsp baking soda
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1/2 tsp baking powder
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3/4 tsp salt
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1 cup red and green holiday M&M’s, plus extra for the top
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1/2 cup white chocolate chips, plus extra for the top
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1/2 cup mini semi‑sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for the top
Line a 9×13‑inch pan with parchment and lightly grease so the bars lift out cleanly.
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
Mix the dough
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Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large bowl whisk or beat butter with brown and white sugars until smooth and slightly fluffy.
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Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and mix well.
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In another bowl whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
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Add dry ingredients to wet and stir just until no flour streaks remain; the dough will be thick, like cookie dough.
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Fold in most of the M&M’s, white chips, and mini chips, saving a handful of each for decorating the top.
Bake the bars
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Press dough evenly into the prepared 9×13‑inch pan, pushing it into the corners.
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Scatter remaining M&M’s and chips over the surface and gently press them in so they bake into the top.
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Bake 22–28 minutes, until the top is golden and the edges are set but the center still looks slightly soft; a toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
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Place the pan on a rack and cool completely before slicing for clean squares; bars firm up as they cool, staying chewy inside.
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