There’s something about the nostalgic crunch of graham crackers combined with melty chocolate and festive M&Ms that makes these bars so irresistible. The Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe takes all those classic flavors we adore during the holidays and transforms them into one easy, shareable treat – perfect for your next gathering or cozy night in.
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
Honestly, I've made a lot of holiday treats, but these Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe hold a special place on my festive dessert list. They’re a magical combo of crunchy, chewy, and chocolatey that you just can’t resist, plus they’re incredibly simple to whip up.
- Quick and Easy: You don’t need fancy equipment or skills—perfect for last-minute baking sessions.
- All in One Pan: No fussing over multiple cookies; bars are perfect for cutting and sharing.
- Festive & Fun: Those holiday M&Ms add a pop of color that instantly makes these bars Instagram-worthy (and kid-approved!).
- Customizable: You can swap some chips, add nuts, or even drizzle extra chocolate for your perfect holiday twist.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of these Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe lies in how each ingredient layers flavor and texture without overpowering. The graham crackers give a sweet, crispy base while the assortment of chocolate chips melts into gooey pockets of delight. Quick oats add a chewy contrast, and condensed milk ties it all together with creamy sweetness.
- Graham Crackers: Using crushed graham crackers rather than flour keeps the base crisp yet tender, and it boosts that warm, toasty flavor.
- Sugar: Just enough to enhance sweetness without being overly sugary.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the crust and creates richness, making sure each bite satisfies.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Acts like a glue for the layers while adding decadently smooth sweetness.
- Quick Oats: Adds texture and soft chewiness, complementing the crunch of graham crackers.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic melty chocolate pieces that balance sweet and bittersweet notes.
- Peanut Butter Chips: These give a subtle nutty richness – if you’re a peanut butter fan like me, don’t skip them!
- White Chocolate Chips: A creamy contrast that adds a pop of sweetness and matches beautifully with the colorful candies.
- Holiday M&Ms: Fun, festive, and colorful – they’re the cherry on top that brings the whole recipe into holiday mode.
Make It Your Way
I love how easy it is to tweak this Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe based on what you have or what flavors you crave. It’s the kind of dessert that welcomes a little kitchen creativity.
- Variation: I once swapped the peanut butter chips with butterscotch chips, and that warm caramel flavor gave it an entirely new vibe—delicious and just as crowd-pleasing.
- Nut-Free: If anyone in your family has nut allergies, simply omit the peanut butter chips and add extra chocolate chips or even dried cranberries.
- Extra Chocolatey: Feel free to drizzle melted chocolate or white chocolate over the top once cooled for an eye-catching finish.
- Seasonal Twist: Swap M&Ms for your favorite holiday candies like crushed peppermint or toffee bits for festivity with a twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Crust
First things first—you want to preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and parchment paper. Trust me, the parchment makes lifting the bars out a breeze later. Then, crush your graham crackers finely—either pop them in a plastic bag and smash with a rolling pin or blitz in a food processor if you have one. Mix those crumbs with sugar and melted butter, then press firmly and evenly into the bottom of your pan to form that buttery crust. The key is not to press too hard, just enough to hold together nicely when baked.
Step 2: Add the Sweetened Condensed Milk Layer
Pour your sweetened condensed milk over the crust and gently spread it out to cover evenly all the way to the edges. This sticky layer will soak into the crust as it bakes, creating that quintessential chewy texture and glueing the toppings in place.
Step 3: Sprinkle the Toppings
Here comes the fun part—sprinkle the quick oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and holiday M&Ms evenly over the condensed milk. I like to reserve a few M&Ms to press gently on top so they stay on display after baking. This mix is what makes these bars pop with flavor and texture!
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake at 350°F for around 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are golden and the chocolate chips have melted but not burned. Let the bars cool completely in the pan—resisting the urge to cut into them while they're warm is tough, but it helps them set perfectly for neat squares.
Top Tip
Making these Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe has taught me a few tricks that really elevate the results and save time in the kitchen. Here’s what I've learned over the years so you can nail it too:
- Use Parchment Paper: It’s a gamechanger for easy removal and clean cuts—don’t skip this step even if you’re tempted.
- Don’t Overmix Toppings: Distribute carefully so you don’t accidentally mash the M&Ms or chocolate chips; keep their shape for that beautiful texture.
- Let Bars Cool Completely: This patience pays off with cleaner slices and bars that hold their shape instead of crumbling apart.
- Watch Your Oven: Every oven is different; check on the bars around 22 minutes to avoid burning, especially if you add extra chocolate toppings.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving — it looks like a fresh snowfall on the colorful bars. Sometimes, a drizzle of warmed white chocolate or even a few festive sprinkles add a fancy touch when presenting these to guests or gifting.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee, especially during chilly holiday evenings. I’ve also served them alongside mini fruit platters or simple whipped cream for a balanced festive snack.
Creative Ways to Present
One fun idea I tried was cutting the bars into small bite-sized squares and placing them in mini cupcake liners for a holiday party tray—they disappeared faster than expected! Wrapping individual bars in cellophane and tying with red and green ribbons also makes for adorable, homemade gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After making these Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe, I store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This keeps them chewy yet crisp without drying out. I've noticed refrigerating can sometimes harden the bars too much, so room temperature usually wins for texture.
Freezing
Freezing works great if you want to make them in advance. I wrap the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge and then bring to room temperature to soften before serving. The texture and flavors hold up beautifully.
Reheating
If you like your bars warm and gooey, popping a piece in the microwave for 10-15 seconds revives that fresh-from-the-oven experience. Just be careful not to overheat, or the chocolate might get grainy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you’re not a peanut butter fan or have allergies, swapping peanut butter chips for extra semi-sweet or even milk chocolate chips works perfectly and keeps the bars just as scrumptious.
Yes, you can substitute gluten-free graham crackers to make the crust safe for gluten intolerance. Just make sure your oats and other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well to avoid cross-contamination.
To minimize color bleeding, you can press most M&Ms gently into the top of the bars before baking rather than mixing them all in. Also, keeping the baking time to the recommended 25 minutes helps prevent melting and color spread.
It’s tempting, but I recommend waiting until these bars cool completely. Warm bars tend to be too soft and can crumble easily. Letting them set ensures clean, neat squares when serving.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe is definitely my go-to for festive baking because it’s easy, fun, and delicious every single time. I love how it brings smiles around the table, whether shared as gifts or enjoyed late-night with a warm drink. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how holiday baking ever worked without it!
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 and delicious treat featuring a graham cracker crust topped with sweetened condensed milk, oats, and a colorful mix of chocolate and candy chips. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars combine creamy, crunchy, and chocolatey textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Crust
- 12 Graham Crackers, crushed
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 9 Tablespoons Butter, melted
Toppings
- 1 ½ Cups Sweetened Condensed Milk
- ¾ Cup Quick Oats
- 1 ⅓ Cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ¾ Cup Peanut Butter Chips
- ⅓ Cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Holiday M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray and press in a piece of parchment paper for easy removal and better nonstick performance.
- Make the crust: Combine the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Mix until well combined, then press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9x13 pan to form the crust layer.
- Add sweetened condensed milk and toppings: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crust, spreading it out to cover all edges. Sprinkle the quick oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and holiday M&Ms evenly over the top.
- Bake the bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned and the toppings are melted and set.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool to room temperature before slicing. Serve the bars warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.
- Press the crust firmly to prevent it from crumbling after baking.
- You can swap holiday M&Ms for any colorful chocolate candies for variety.
- Allow bars to cool completely to make cutting easier and cleaner.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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