Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe

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.

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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

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.

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.

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!

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