Get ready to become the holiday hero with these mind-blowing Loaded Christmas Cookie Bars that are about to revolutionize your festive baking! Imagine a dessert so irresistible, it'll have your family and friends begging for more – packed with chocolate chips, festive M&M's, and an optional nutty crunch that transforms an ordinary cookie bar into a Christmas miracle. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or looking for the perfect sweet treat to share, these bars are your ticket to becoming a legendary baker this season!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup holiday M&M's
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, holiday M&M's, and chopped nuts (if using) using a rubber spatula, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly and pressing it down gently to create a smooth, uniform layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, cut into 24 bars. For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe the blade between cuts.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Room Temperature Magic: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the smoothest, most well-incorporated batter.
- Don't Overmix: Mix your dry and wet ingredients just until combined to keep the bars tender and soft.
- Parchment Paper Trick: The parchment paper overhang makes removing and cutting the bars a breeze – no more stuck desserts!
- Customize Your Festivity: Mix and match holiday M&M's colors to match your Christmas theme or add a personal touch.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let the bars cool completely before cutting to get those picture-perfect, clean slices.
- Storage Hack: These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, making them perfect for advance holiday prep. Pro Tip: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some additional M&M's on top of the bars right after baking while they're still warm!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 35mg
