There’s something about the colorful crunch of M&Ms nestled in sweet, buttery bars that just screams festive fun. This Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe is a treat that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat — perfect for bringing that holiday sparkle to your kitchen and your taste buds.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Making Christmas cookie bars with M&Ms isn’t just about baking; it’s about capturing that cozy holiday magic in every bite. I love how the mix of textures—from crunchy graham crackers to melty chocolate and crisp M&Ms—creates a festive explosion of flavor. Whether for a cookie swap or a casual treat, these bars brighten up any celebration.
- Quick and Easy: With simple steps, you’ll have a festive pan of bars ready in under 40 minutes—no complicated rolling or cutting required.
- Colorful & Fun: The holiday M&Ms add pops of red and green that make these bars irresistible, especially to kids and the kid-at-heart.
- Rich, Multi-layered Texture: The crunchy graham cracker crust paired with soft sweetened condensed milk and melty chips makes every bite delightfully satisfying.
- Perfect for Sharing: These bars transport easily and keep well, making them a crowd-pleaser for parties, gifts, or just year-round treats.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe plays an important role. The crust gives structure, the sweetened condensed milk adds gooey richness, and the mix-ins create bursts of chocolatey, peanut buttery, and festive crunch that keep you coming back for more.
- Graham Crackers: Crushed finely, they form the perfect crispy base with a touch of mellow sweetness; be sure to pulse them a few times in your food processor for an even crumb.
- Sugar: Just a pinch to enhance the crust’s flavor without overpowering.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the crust and adds richness—don’t skip this step!
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: The glue of the recipe, creating that luscious, chewy layer that holds your toppings together beautifully.
- Quick Oats: These add a subtle heartiness and texture bite that makes the bars even more interesting.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolate flavor that melts perfectly into the bars for sweetness without being overly rich.
- Peanut Butter Chips: Adds a creamy peanut butter pop; I love the contrast it makes with the chocolate.
- White Chocolate Chips: Optional but highly recommended for added sweetness and a prettier contrast—decorate your bars with them!
- Holiday M&Ms: These festive candies give the bars their signature holiday look plus a delightful crunch.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe is how easy it is to switch things up and make it your own. I like to sneak in a handful of chopped nuts for a little extra crunch or swap the peanut butter chips for butterscotch when I’m craving something different.
- Nut-Free Variation: Simply leave out nuts (if you add them) and stick with your favorite chips to keep it safe but still delicious.
- Seasonal Twist: Swap out holiday M&Ms for classic or peanut M&Ms throughout the year and brighten up birthdays or everyday moments.
- Extra Gooey: Add an additional half cup of sweetened condensed milk for a richer, almost fudge-like texture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Base with Crushed Graham Crackers
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper — I find this makes cleanup so much easier, and the bars pop right out without any hassle. Combine your crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Press this mixture evenly into the pan, creating a solid, even crust. I like to use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to firmly pack it down; it’s super satisfying and helps keep the base from crumbling later.
Step 2: Pour and Spread the Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over your crust. This step is key for binding everything together with that rich, gooey goodness. To get it evenly spread to the edges, use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula gently—no need to press hard or it might disturb the crust. Smooth it out but leave a little thickness for that perfect chew.
Step 3: Sprinkle on Oats, Chocolate Chips, and M&Ms
Now comes the fun part: layering your cookie bar toppings. Sprinkle the quick oats first—these help add subtle texture without overwhelming the bite. Then scatter your semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and white chocolate chips evenly. Finally, pile on the festive holiday M&Ms. Try to distribute the colors so every piece is bursting with holiday cheer. This layer is like the stars on top of your holiday tree—don’t be shy!
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake the bars for about 25 minutes until the edges are golden, and the topping looks set but soft in the center. I usually keep an eye during the last five minutes so they don’t overcook; you want them chewy, not dry. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely before slicing—this helps the bars hold together perfectly and makes serving easier.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve baked these Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe countless times, and these tips have made all the difference between “meh” and mind-blowing results.
- Perfect Crust Pressing: Press your crust firmly and evenly into the pan to avoid a crumbly base that breaks apart when you cut the bars.
- Don’t Overbake: Take the bars out when the edges start browning and the center looks slightly underdone—it will set as it cools, preserving that gooey center.
- Use Parchment Paper: It makes cleanup faster and lets you lift the entire pan of cookie bars out easily, so you don’t accidentally break them while slicing.
- Customize Your Chips: I’ve learned that a combination of semi-sweet, peanut butter, and white chocolate chips creates the best flavor mix—not too sweet, but loaded with variety.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I typically keep the bars simple, but if I want a festive finish, I sprinkle a little extra holiday M&Ms on top right after baking while the bars are still warm—this makes them shine and adds an extra crunch. Sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar adds a snow-kissed vibe that’s perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or a creamy latte in the afternoon. At parties, I love serving them alongside fresh fruit and a cheese platter for a nice balance of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving or potlucks, wrapping individual bars in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbons never fails to impress. I’ve also layered them in pretty holiday tins with parchment paper—makes a beautiful, edible gift everyone appreciates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover bars store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I’ve found keeping them on the countertop preserves their chewy texture best, but if your kitchen gets warm, the fridge works fine, just let the bars come back to room temp before eating.
Freezing
You can freeze these bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight or on the countertop for a couple hours. They taste almost fresh, making holiday prep so much easier.
Reheating
If you want to serve the bars warm again, a quick 15–20 seconds in the microwave does the trick. I like to add a small paper towel underneath to keep the bottom from getting soggy. Warm bars bring back that melty chocolate magic perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Regular milk chocolate chips will work fine and add a sweeter flavor. Semi-sweet balances the sweetness better but both taste delicious in these bars.
Traditional graham crackers contain gluten, so you'd need to substitute with gluten-free graham crackers to make this recipe gluten-free. Just ensure your oats and other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.
Yes, they’re perfect for making ahead. You can bake them a day or two before and store in an airtight container at room temperature. They actually taste better after resting and the flavors meld nicely!
Wait until the bars are completely cooled before cutting. Using a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between slices helps you get clean edges without crumbling.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bars with M&Ms Recipe is one of my all-time favorite holiday treats. It’s simple enough to whip up between errands but special enough to put a smile on everyone’s face. I can’t wait for you to try it—it might just become your go-to gift or party favorite, too. Remember, part of the joy is in making it yours, so have fun with those toppings and flavors!
Print
Christmas Cookie Bars with 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
These Christmas Magic Cookie Bars are a festive, delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings. They feature a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a layer of sweetened condensed milk, oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and colorful holiday M&Ms. Baked to golden perfection, these bars are best enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
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: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by spraying it with nonstick spray and pressing a piece of parchment paper into the bottom for easy removal.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base layer.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crust, spreading it gently all the way to the edges to cover the crust completely.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the quick oats, semi sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and holiday M&Ms evenly over the sweetened condensed milk layer.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the chocolate chips are melted.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, then cut into 15 bars.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to help lift the bars out easily without sticking.
- Press the crust firmly to ensure it holds together when cutting.
- Substitute holiday M&Ms with any festive candy or skip for a simpler version.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a nut-free version, omit peanut butter chips and add extra chocolate chips or dried fruit instead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 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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