M&M Sugar Cookie Bars

Are you looking for a unique twist on Christmas baking this year? Step away from the traditional sugar cookies - why not make M&M Sugar Cookie Bars instead?

Perfectly chewy and oh-so-sweet, these cookie bars will be a perfect holiday cookie exchange recipe that is sure to impress at your cookie exchange or as a festive treat to share with family and friends.

Not only do they taste divine, but their fun color and signature M&M crunch will bring a smile to anyone’s face!

Cookie Bar recipes are one of the easiest Christmas cookies to make. You mix the dough up in a bowl, press it into a baking pan to bake. When they are done you cover the top with melted chocolate and decorate with more red and green M&Ms and sprinkles.

Once the chocolate has hardened cut them up.

That's all there is to it. You don't have to worry about cookie cutters, cookie sheets or watching the oven while a batch after batch of cookies are baking.

I love baking Christmas cookies but if you are running out of time cookie bars are the way to go!

There is a lot less time involved when you are baking a tray of cookie bars versus individual cookies. 

Recipe Prep

• Line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Preheat the oven to 350 F. degrees.
• Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place in a small microwave bowl.

M&M Sugar Cookie Bars Ingredients

For this recipe I used plain milk chocolate red and green holiday M&M's to make them festive for the holiday season.

This recipe can be made any time of the year using plain M&Ms. You can also use Peanut M&M's if you like.

• All-Purpose Flour - The backbone of many baked goods, it provides structure to our M&M Sugar Cookie Bars.
• Salt - Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor of the cookie bars.
• Baking Powder - This leavening agent helps the bars rise during baking, making them light and fluffy.
• White Granulated Sugar - Adds sweetness and aids in creating a beautiful golden brown color.
• Brown Sugar - Gives our cookie bars a depth of flavor with its rich, molasses notes.
• Softened Butter - Adds flavor and creates a tender texture.
• Light Corn Syrup - This ingredient helps to keep the bars moist and chewy.
• Pure Vanilla Extract - A baking essential that offers a delicate, sweet aroma and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
• Eggs - Provide structure and moisture, as well as enhance the flavor of the bars.
• Original or Holiday M&M's - These add color, crunch, and a delicious chocolatey bite. We'll use these both within the dough and sprinkled on top for extra appeal. Be sure to divide them as per the recipe instructions.
• Chocolate topping: Chocolate bark, milk chocolate chips, or chocolate wafers can be used for the chocolate topping. You could also use chocolate frosting instead.
• Optional decorations: Christmas themed sprinkles or jimmies add an extra festive delight.

Directions

• Step 1: Measure the dry ingredients into a small bowl. Whisk them together to combine. Set aside until needed.

• Step 2: In a separate large bowl cream the softened butter, both sugars, and the vanilla extract together until light and fluffy.

• Step 3: Add the corn syrup to the bowl and beat in for 1 minute.

• Step 4: Beat in the eggs one at a time. Scrape the bowl and continue to beat for 1 or 2 minutes until combined.

• Step 5: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the cookie dough ⅓ at a time. Mix with a wooden spoon until all of the flour is evenly mixed into the dough. Scrape the bottom of the bowl well as you mix.

• Step 6: Add 1 ½ cups of the M&M's to the bowl of dough. Fold the candy pieces into the sugar cookie bar dough until evenly combined.

• Step 7: Line a 9 x 13 or two 8 x 8 inch pans with parchment paper folding the edges over the side. Spread the cookie bar batter into the bottom of the pan pushing the dough into all 4 corners of the baking pan.

After you mix the batter press it down into a prepared 9 x 13 baking pan.

• Step 8: Bake the M&M Sugar cookie bars for 25 to 35 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and a tooth pick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove from the pan from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack.

• Step 9: Slowly melt the chopped chocolate in the microwave in short increments of 20, 10, and 5 seconds stirring each time the microwave stops. Once the chocolate is almost completely melted with just a few small lumps left pour the melted chocolate over the top of the tray and spread it over the entire top. 

• Step 10: Randomly sprinkle M&M's all over the top of the melted chocolate. Allow the chocolate to harden before cutting.

• Step 11: Once the chocolate had hardened cut the Sugar Cookie Bars into pieces. I cut mine into small bite size 1 ½ inch squares.

Cutting and Packaging

• Once your M&M Sugar Cookie Bars have completely cooled and the chocolate has hardened, use a sharp knife to carefully cut them into squares or rectangles, depending on your preferred serving size. If you're preparing these for a cookie exchange, aim for smaller, bite-sized pieces to allow for variety on the exchange table.

• For packaging, start by placing each cookie bar into a cupcake liner, which will prevent them from sticking together and makes for easy pick up. Then, place the lined cookie bars into a festive holiday tin or box. If you're going for a more rustic look, consider wrapping them individually in cellophane and tying each with a ribbon or string. To truly personalize your holiday food gifts, attach a handwritten tag or note to your package, expressing your seasonal greetings.

Remember, presentation is key, especially when gifting. So, take your time to package your M&M Sugar Cookie Bars in a way that shows care, adding a lovely personal touch to these delectable homemade treats.

📌Pro Baking Tip

• any color M&M's can be used. Change the color based on the holiday or special occasion theme.
• lining the pan with parchment paper will make it very easy to lift the tray of cookie bars out of the pan to cut. Or lightly spray the pan with cooking spray or grease with butter and cut the bars while they are in the tray.
• milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate can be used. You could even use a white chocolate if you like.
• Use chocolate frosting instead of melting chocolate.
• Perfect for holiday cookie exchange.

More Cookie Exchange Recipes

Christmas M&M sugar cookie bars are the perfect festive treat for any holiday gathering.

So, when you’re ready for something special this season, give this recipe a whirl! It will be sure to make everyone merry and bright.

The combination of the chewy sugar cookie base, chocolate topping, and festive colored Christmas M&Ms is irresistible and delightful.

They’ll take your cookies to the next level of deliciousness. Plus, they’re easy-to-make so you can whip up a batch in no time.

So why not try this recipe today? And don’t forget to have fun creating these wonderful treats! Enjoy every moment of the cooking process!

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