Chewy Christmas Bar Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Blondie Recipe

Is there anything more nostalgic than the smell of buttery vanilla wafting through the kitchen during the holidays? While we all love intricate sugar cookies, sometimes you need a dessert that delivers maximum festive cheer with minimal effort. Enter these Christmas Bar Cookies.

Unlike traditional cookies that require chilling, rolling, and multiple batches, these holiday blondies come together in one bowl and bake in a single pan. They are chewy, rich, and packed with red and green M&M’s for that perfect pop of seasonal color.

In this guide, we will walk you through how to make these easy Christmas Bar Cookies from scratch. Whether you are prepping for a cookie exchange or just need a sweet treat for a movie marathon, this recipe is your new go-to. It challenges the idea that holiday baking needs to be stressful—sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most delicious.

Ingredients List

The beauty of this recipe lies in its pantry staples. You likely have most of these ingredients on hand. Using melted butter ensures a dense, chewy texture rather than a cakey one.

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

One of the main advantages of baking bar cookies is the time saved. You don’t need to scoop individual dough balls!

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Cooling Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 60 minutes (About 50% faster than making cut-out sugar cookies)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take an 8×8-inch square baking pan and brush it lightly with a bit of melted butter. Then, line the pan with parchment paper, ensuring you leave a 2-inch overhang on at least two sides.

• Why this matters: The parchment overhang acts as a “sling,” allowing you to lift the entire block of cookies out of the pan once cooled for perfect, clean cuts.

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the remaining melted butter, packed light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Next, whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

• Tip: Ensure your butter is not piping hot when you add the egg, or you risk scrambling it. Let the butter cool slightly after melting.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture. Switch to a rubber spatula or wooden spoon and mix just until moistened.

• Crucial Tip: Do not over-mix at this stage! Over-mixing develops gluten, which can turn your chewy bars into tough, cakey bricks. Stop as soon as the flour streaks disappear.

Step 4: Fold in the Mix-Ins

Gently fold in the ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, ⅓ cup of the red and green M&M’s, and the Christmas jimmies. Reserve the remaining M&M’s for the topping to ensure they are visible and festive.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer the batter to your prepared pan. Use a rubber spatula to push the thick batter into the corners and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s over the surface, pressing them down slightly. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs).

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Set the pan on a wire rack and immediately sprinkle with additional holiday sprinkles if desired, so they stick to the warm surface. Cool completely in the pan. Once cool, use the parchment overhang to lift the blondies out and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into 9 large squares or 16 smaller bites.

Nutritional Information

Here is the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 16 squares). These treats are rich, so a small square goes a long way!

• Calories: ~160 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 22 g (Sugar: 16 g)
• Fat: 8 g (Saturated: 5 g)
• Protein: 2 g
• Fiber: <1 g
• Sodium: 45 mg

Note: Nutrition can vary based on the specific brands of chocolate and candy used.

Healthier Alternatives

If you want to indulge in holiday baking with a slightly better nutritional profile, try these swaps:

• Whole Grain Twist: Swap 50% of the all-purpose flour for white whole wheat flour. It adds fiber without making the bars too dense.
• Reduce Sugar: You can reduce the granulated sugar by half. The chocolate chips and M&M’s provide plenty of sweetness.
• Dark Chocolate: Swap semi-sweet chips for chocolate with 70% cocoa or higher. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and less sugar.
• Gluten-Free: Use a high-quality 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. The texture holds up remarkably well in bar cookies.

Serving Suggestions

These Christmas Bar Cookies are versatile. Here is how to elevate the experience:

• Holiday Platter: These stack beautifully. Tie a stack of three bars with red and white baker’s twine for an adorable, edible gift.
• A la Mode: Serve a warm square topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge for a decadent dessert.
• The Perfect Pairing: These rich bars pair best with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of unsweetened coffee to balance the sweetness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure your holiday treats turn out perfect every time, avoid these common pitfalls:

• Overbaking: Blondies continue to cook slightly as they cool. Solution: Pull them out when the edges are golden, but the center still looks slightly soft.
• Using Warm Ingredients: While the butter is melted, a cold egg can shock the butter and cause separation. Solution: Bring your egg to room temperature by placing it in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes before baking.
• Skipping the Parchment: Bars can be notoriously sticky. Solution: Always line the pan. If you skip this, the first slice will likely crumble as you try to dig it out.
• Cutting Too Soon: Cutting warm bars results in a messy, gooey crumble. Solution: Wait until they are completely cool to get those sharp, clean edges.

Storing Tips

These bars are excellent for making ahead of time because they stay soft for days.

• Room Temperature: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Add a slice of white bread to the container to keep them extra soft.
• Freezing: These freeze exceptionally well. Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: If eating from frozen, microwave for 15-20 seconds to revive that “fresh from the oven” melty chocolate texture.

Conclusion

These Christmas Bar Cookies are the ultimate solution for busy holiday bakers who refuse to compromise on flavor. With their chewy texture, buttery vanilla base, and festive crunch from the M&M’s, they are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.

We hope you enjoy making and savoring this dish as much as we do. Try it out and let us know in the comments how it turned out for you! Did you add any extra mix-ins? We’d love to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe to our blog for more delicious, healthy recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

FAQs

Q1. Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely. If you want to feed a larger crowd, double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You will need to increase the baking time to approximately 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on the center to ensure it sets.

Q2. Can I use different add-ins?

Yes! This base recipe is incredibly versatile. You can swap the M&M’s for white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, or even crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist. Just keep the total volume of add-ins to about 1 ¼ cups.

Q3. Why are my bars cakey instead of chewy?

Cakey bars are usually the result of too much flour or over-mixing the batter. Be sure to measure your flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off (rather than scooping directly), and stop mixing the moment the flour disappears.

Q4. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

It is not recommended. Butter provides the specific flavor and fat content needed for the dense, chewy texture of a blondie. Margarine has a higher water content and may result in a spread that is too soft or greasy.

Chewy Christmas Bar Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Blondie Recipe

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• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 16 Squares 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Is there anything more nostalgic than the smell of buttery vanilla wafting through the kitchen during the holidays? Unlike traditional cookies that require chilling and rolling, these holiday blondies come together in one bowl and bake in a single pan. They are chewy, rich, and packed with red and green M&M’s for that perfect pop of seasonal color. This recipe challenges the idea that holiday baking needs to be stressful—sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most delicious.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Large Egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/2 cup Red &amp; Green M&M’s, divided usage
• 1/4 cup Christmas Jimmies (plus extra for topping)

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Instructions

1. Prep Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush an 8×8-inch baking pan with melted butter and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides to create a “sling.”

2. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy. Whisk in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated.

3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and salt. Switch to a rubber spatula and mix just until moistened. Do not over-mix; stop as soon as the flour streaks disappear.

4. Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, Christmas jimmies, and ⅓ cup of the M&M’s.

5. Bake: Transfer batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Press the remaining M&M’s onto the surface. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Cool and Slice: Immediately sprinkle with extra sprinkles while warm. Cool completely in the pan (approx. 30 minutes). Lift out using the parchment sling and cut into squares.

Notes

• Parchment Sling: Don’t skip the parchment overhang! It allows you to lift the entire block of cookies out of the pan for clean, perfect cuts.
• Butter Temperature: Let the melted butter cool slightly before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it.
• Texture: Do not over-mix the flour. Overworking the gluten will turn these from chewy blondies into tough cakes.
• Visual Appeal: Reserving a handful of M&M’s to press into the top of the batter before baking ensures they stay visible and festive.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooling Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert, Cookie Bar, Holiday
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 160 kcal
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: <1 g
• Protein: 2 g