Nothing quite says holiday joy like a dessert that’s both colorful and crowd-pleasing, and that’s exactly what you get with this Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe. Picture layers of buttery, crunchy goodness dotted with festive M&Ms and melty chocolate – it’s like Christmas magic in every bite!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
From the first time I made these cookie bars, I was hooked. It’s a simple recipe, yet it feels so special with all the layers of texture and festive colors. Perfect for gifting or sneaking a few bites when no one's watching, you’ll quickly see why this Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe becomes a holiday staple.
- Easy to assemble: No mixing bowls full of batter here—just press and layer, then bake!
- Festive and fun: The M&Ms add a pop of color that’s irresistible, especially to kids.
- Perfect balance: Crunch from graham crackers, chewiness from oats, and melty chocolate chips work together deliciously.
- Great for sharing: Cut into bars, it’s an ideal treat for holiday parties or gifting wrapped up nicely.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe brings something special to the table. The graham crackers create a buttery, crunchy crust, while sweetened condensed milk binds everything with creamy sweetness. Each chocolate chip variety adds layers of melty flavor, and those holiday M&Ms? They’re the festive cherry on top that also bring some candy crunch.
- Graham Crackers:The base for a crunchy, buttery crust; crushing them finely helps the bars hold together well.
- Sugar:A little extra sweetness to balance the richness of the butter and condensed milk.
- Butter:Makes the crust rich and keeps it from crumbling apart.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk:Acts as the glue, soaking into the oats and crackers for chewy texture and sweet flavor.
- Quick Oats:Add a bit of chew and rustic texture that’s lovely in bars.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips:Classic melty chocolate that complements the sweet base beautifully.
- Peanut Butter Chips:Bring a subtle nutty richness without overwhelming the other flavors.
- White Chocolate Chips:A sweet, creamy contrast that brightens the flavor balance.
- Holiday M&Ms:The colorful, festive touch that keeps these bars fun and playful.
Make It Your Way
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your liking. Nothing’s set in stone – I’ve mixed up the chips or even swapped M&Ms for other festive candies. You can make it truly yours!
- Variation: I sometimes use butterscotch chips in place of peanut butter chips to add a caramel twist that my family goes crazy for.
- Dietary tweaks: Try dairy-free butter and chocolate chips if you want to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
- Seasonal spin: Swap holiday M&Ms for plain colored ones and use different nuts to change things up throughout the year.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Base Crust
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray and a piece of parchment paper. It’s a little extra step that makes lifting the bars out a breeze later. Then, crush 12 graham crackers into fine crumbs and toss them with sugar and melted butter. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the pan – this is the base of your magic, so getting it compact helps it hold together once baked.
Step 2: Add the Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pour 1 ½ cups of sweetened condensed milk evenly over your crust. I like to gently spread it with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula so it reaches all the edges without mixing into the crust too much. This step creates that chewy, creamy layer that brings all the flavors together.
Step 3: Sprinkle the Toppings
This is the fun part – sprinkle ¾ cup quick oats for chewiness, 1 ⅓ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, ¾ cup peanut butter chips, ¼ to ⅓ cup white chocolate chips, and finally 1 cup of those cheerful holiday M&Ms all over the condensed milk. Spread them evenly so each bar gets a little bit of everything.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake your bars for 25 minutes until the edges are golden and the chips are melty. Then, let them cool completely—if you can wait!—so they set up nicely before slicing. I love these warm, but they also hold together beautifully at room temperature for sharing and gifting.
Top Tip
I’ve made these bars dozens of times, and a few tricks really help get perfect bars every time. Trust me on these — they’re the difference between crumbly or cohesive, bland or festive.
- Even Pressing: When pressing the graham cracker crust, use a flat glass or measuring cup bottom to get a compact, even layer that won’t fall apart.
- Don’t Skip Parchment: The parchment paper helps lift bars out in one piece — without it, you risk a crumbly mess.
- Cool Completely: It’s tempting to dive in warm, but letting bars cool fully ensures clean slices and bars that hold their shape.
- Chip Placement: Sprinkle the M&Ms mostly on top to keep those festive colors visible and intact after baking.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I typically keep garnishes simple for these bars — a sprinkle of mini powdered sugar right before serving adds a snowy touch that makes them extra pretty on a holiday platter. Sometimes I add crushed candy canes on top before baking for a peppermint twist, which adds crunch and looks gorgeous.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookie bars with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness perfectly. For a party, I like to serve alongside a cheese board or spiced nuts, so there’s sweet and savory to nibble on.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving, wrap the bars in parchment and tie with a festive ribbon or place individually in clear cellophane bags with a cute holiday tag. I once arranged them on a tiered holiday dessert stand and got tons of compliments—something about those colorful M&Ms just draws the eye!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They actually taste better after a day when the flavors meld together. Just keep them covered so the edges stay soft and chewy.
Freezing
I like to freeze the bars cut into portions, wrapped individually in plastic wrap, then stored in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. To thaw, just leave them at room temp for a couple of hours or warm gently in the microwave.
Reheating
Reheat leftover bars in the microwave in short bursts (about 15 seconds at a time) just until warm and gooey. Avoid overheating, or the caramelized condensed milk can get a bit too sticky. Enjoy with a quick cold drink to balance it out!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Swap the graham crackers for gluten-free ones and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
No refrigeration is needed if you plan to eat them within four days. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you live in a very hot climate, refrigerate to prevent melting.
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with white chocolate chunks, caramel bits, or festive colored candies to suit your taste. Just keep the total amount of mix-ins similar to maintain texture.
Using parchment paper makes it easy to lift the entire slab from the pan, so after cooling, transfer it onto a cutting board for straight cuts. A sharp knife warmed in hot water helps achieve clean edges without crumbling.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup. It’s that easy, festive treat you can pull together quickly but still feel proud serving. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself (no judgment here!), these bars deliver every time. Give them a try—I promise you’ll want to make them your new holiday tradition.
Print
Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 15 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Magic Cookie Bars are a festive layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with sweetened condensed milk, oats, and a colorful mix of chocolate and peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and holiday M&Ms. Perfect for sharing during the holiday season, these bars are easy to prepare and bake to gooey, indulgent perfection.
Ingredients
Crust
- 12 Graham Crackers, crushed
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 9 Tablespoons Butter, melted
Topping
- 1 ½ Cups Sweetened Condensed Milk
- ¾ Cup Quick Oats
- 1 ⅓ Cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ¾ Cup Peanut Butter Chips
- ¼ Cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Holiday M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and press a piece of parchment paper into the bottom for easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until well mixed. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a solid crust layer.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crust, spreading it carefully to cover the entire surface to the edges of the pan.
- Sprinkle Toppings: Evenly sprinkle the quick oats, semi sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and holiday M&Ms over the top of the sweetened condensed milk layer.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the topping is set but still gooey.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan to room temperature or serve warm. Once cooled, cut into 15 bars and enjoy your festive treat.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner edges.
- For a different flavor, substitute holiday M&Ms with your favorite festive candy.
- Ensure the condensed milk is spread evenly to avoid uneven cooking.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Allow bars to cool completely for cleaner slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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