There’s something truly joyful about the mix of gooey melted chocolate and the satisfying crunch of colorful candies — that’s why I think this Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe is a holiday staple worth trying. It’s festive, fun, and perfect for sharing (or sneaking a few bites yourself!).
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
I have this recipe tucked away as my go-to festive treat because it’s easy but tastes like you put in a lot more effort. Every time I serve these bars, from holiday parties to casual family gatherings, they disappear quickly — and for good reason!
- Easy Prep: You barely need a mixer — just simple steps that anyone can follow, even if you’re short on time.
- Delicious Layers: The graham cracker crust mixed with sweetened condensed milk creates a chewy, rich base that pairs beautifully with each topping.
- Colorful & Festive: The M&Ms add that perfect pop of holiday cheer and crunch, making these bars a party favorite.
- Flexible Toppings: You can easily swap or add your favorite chips or candies, so every batch can feel a little different!
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic really starts with the simple ingredients that come together into something way more interesting than the sum of their parts. Each one brings its own texture and flavor, making these Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe a hit every time.
- Graham Crackers: Crushed into crumbs for a sturdy, slightly sweet base that’s less dense than a typical cookie crust.
- Sugar: Just a touch to balance the buttery crust and add a little sparkle.
- Butter: Melted butter is key; it binds the crust ingredients together and adds richness.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the glue that holds everything, offering a creamy sweetness that turns chewy as it bakes.
- Quick Oats: Adds a subtle nuttiness and texture without overpowering.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolate flavor that melts slightly, making every bite luscious.
- Peanut Butter Chips: For that hint of salty nutty flavor that plays so well with chocolate.
- White Chocolate Chips: A sweet, creamy contrast that lightens up the mix.
- Holiday M&Ms: They bring festive colors and a satisfying crunch — plus, who can resist those?
Make It Your Way
This Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe invites creativity—I love swapping in different mix-ins depending on what I have in the pantry or who I’m sharing with. It’s great for customizing, so feel free to make it your own!
- Variation: One year, I added chopped pecans and dried cranberries instead of some of the chips, which gave the bars a really wonderful texture and a slight tartness that everyone loved.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Crush and Create Your Crust
Start by crushing those graham crackers — I find popping them into a large ziplock bag and banging gently with a rolling pin works wonders. Mix the crumbs with sugar and melted butter until everything feels like damp sand. Then, press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your lined 9x13 pan. This crust sets the stage, so don’t skip the firm pressing step.
Step 2: Layer the Sweetened Condensed Milk and Toppings
Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust. This creamy layer is what binds the bars and gives them that satisfyingly chewy texture. Next, sprinkle quick oats evenly on top — this adds a nice touch of heartiness. Now comes the fun part: scatter your chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and colorful holiday M&Ms across the surface. Try to spread them evenly, so every bite has a bit of everything.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the bars at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes. You want the edges to be golden and bubbling, but keep an eye on them; condensed milk can brown quickly. Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely or just slightly — either way, they’re irresistible fresh and slightly warm.
Top Tip
From my many experiments, I’ve learned a few key tips that really help these Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe shine — and I want you to get the best results possible!
- Press That Crust Firmly: Firm pressure ensures your crust holds together instead of crumbling when you cut the bars.
- Don’t Overbake: The edges should be golden but still soft in the center; the bars will firm up as they cool.
- Even Toppings Distribution: Spread your chips and M&Ms evenly to get colorful bites in every square.
- Use Parchment Paper: Lining your pan with parchment makes removing the bars after baking a breeze and helps keep their shape intact.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I usually dust these bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, which adds just enough sweetness without overpowering. Sometimes I add a few fresh mint leaves on the side or a drizzle of melted white chocolate on top for extra flair during holiday gatherings.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or a warm cup of coffee — the rich chocolate and buttery layers balance perfectly with a warm drink. For a festive spread, I serve them alongside peppermint bark and gingerbread cookies for variety.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like cutting the bars into bite-sized squares and arranging them on a tiered dessert stand sprinkled with extra M&Ms and festive sprinkles. Wrapping individual bars in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon also makes sweet little gifts for friends and coworkers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They last up to 5 days when covered well, which is perfect for nibbling throughout the week without drying out.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? I’ve frozen these bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag. When thawed in the fridge overnight, they keep their chewy texture almost perfectly.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, I gently reheat bars in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. They soften up nicely and get that melty chocolate feeling again—just avoid overheating or they’ll get too soft.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible, so you can swap semi-sweet, peanut butter, or white chocolate chips for whatever you like or have on hand—try butterscotch, caramel, or even chopped nuts for a twist.
Sweetened condensed milk is critical for the chewy texture and sweet flavor that define these bars. It acts as a glue that binds the toppings and crust. Substituting it may change the texture quite a bit.
Make sure to bake them long enough to see the edges bubble and turn golden, but avoid baking too long as the condensed milk can make them dry out or harden. Letting them cool completely before cutting also helps them set perfectly.
Yes! Use gluten-free graham crackers to make the crust, and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt this recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bars with Chocolate and M&Ms Recipe is more than just a holiday dessert to me—it’s a little tradition wrapped in sweetness and color. Whether you’re making it for a crowd or just your own festive treat stash, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s simple and satisfying. I hope you give it a try and enjoy every bite as much as I do!
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 indulgent treat featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust topped with a luscious layer of sweetened condensed milk, quick oats, and a colorful mix of chocolate chips and holiday M&Ms. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars combine a variety of textures and flavors in every bite.
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 and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until all crumbs are evenly coated with butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust layer.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crust and spread it to cover completely, reaching the edges of the pan.
- Top with Ingredients: 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 the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the toppings are melted and slightly bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool for at least 15 minutes at room temperature. Cut into 15 bars and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Press the crust firmly to ensure the bars hold together well after baking.
- If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the amount of sweetened condensed milk slightly.
- Substitute the holiday M&Ms with any colorful candy or dried fruit you prefer.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner slicing of bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 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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