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.
Ingredients
- 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 &; Green M&M’s, divided usage
- 1/4 cup Christmas Jimmies (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- 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.”
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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.
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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.
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Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, Christmas jimmies, and ⅓ cup of the M&M’s.
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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.
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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
