Easy Christmas Cookie Bars: Festive Cake Mix Dessert with M&M’s and White Chocolate
These Christmas Cookie Bars are a holiday dream come true – incredibly simple to make, bursting with festive cheer, and utterly delicious. Crafted with a convenient white cake mix, vibrant holiday-colored M&M’s, and creamy white chocolate chips, they are the quintessential fun and festive dessert to elevate your holiday baking list!
Discover the Simplest Holiday Treat: Effortlessly Easy Christmas Cookie Bars!
The holiday season, while undeniably magical, can also be incredibly busy. Between decorating, gift shopping, and planning family gatherings, who has hours to spend in the kitchen baking elaborate desserts? This is where these incredible Christmas Cookie Bars come to the rescue! This recipe is a genuine game-changer, designed to bring maximum joy with minimum effort, making it a dessert you’ll want to whip up year after year.
What makes these cookie bars so unbelievably easy? It all starts with a brilliant shortcut: a box of cake mix. Requiring just 5 simple, common ingredients, these festive bars come together in a flash, leaving you more time to enjoy the holiday festivities. Forget complicated measurements and endless mixing; this recipe streamlines the baking process without sacrificing an ounce of flavor or festive appeal. It’s the perfect solution for busy bakers or anyone new to holiday baking.
If you’re already a fan of my popular cake mix cookie bars, you’ll absolutely adore this holiday twist. We’ve taken that beloved base and infused it with seasonal charm by swapping standard chocolate chips for a generous helping of vibrant red and green M&M’s, alongside creamy white chocolate chips. The result is a chewy, sweet, and colorfully speckled treat that truly embodies the spirit of Christmas, from its delightful taste to its festive appearance.
Whether you’re hosting a grand family gathering, bringing a dish to a festive potluck, or looking for thoughtful homemade holiday gifts, these cookie bars are absolutely perfect. Their vibrant colors and delicious taste make them an instant crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to disappear quickly from any dessert table. Plus, because they’re so straightforward to prepare, you can easily bake multiple batches to share with everyone on your nice list! Imagine presenting a platter of these beautiful bars – they look impressive but require so little effort, making them a secret weapon for holiday entertaining.
Essential Ingredients You Will Need for Festive Cookie Bars
Gathering your ingredients for these festive cookie bars is as simple as the baking itself. Here’s a closer look at the key components that make this recipe a holiday favorite:
- White cake mix: This is the magical base that streamlines the entire recipe. A standard 15 oz box of white cake mix provides a tender, slightly cake-like texture, making these bars incredibly moist and chewy. It also offers a neutral canvas for the vibrant M&M’s and rich white chocolate.
- Butter: Melted butter adds essential richness and moisture to the dough. Using salted butter is recommended as it helps balance the sweetness of the cake mix and candies, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Eggs: Large eggs act as the primary binder for the cookie bar dough, helping to hold everything together and contributing to a delightful, consistent structure. They also add to the chewiness and slightly fluffy texture.
- Holiday colored M&M’S: These are absolutely crucial for the festive visual appeal of your Christmas cookie bars. The red and green colors instantly scream “holiday!” and they add a wonderful chocolatey crunch to every bite.
- White chocolate chips: For an extra layer of sweet, creamy goodness, white chocolate chips melt beautifully into the bars, providing a delightful contrast to the M&M’s and enriching the flavor of the cake mix base.
- Cooking spray: A simple but vital ingredient for greasing your baking dish, ensuring your delicious cookie bars don’t stick and are easy to remove and slice.
With just these few readily available ingredients, you’ll be well on your way to baking a holiday treat that tastes like it took hours of complex work, but only requires minutes of active prep time!
Simple Steps to Bake Delicious M&M’s Christmas Cookie Bars
Creating these festive and flavorful Christmas cookie bars is incredibly straightforward, perfect for even the most novice bakers. Follow these easy, step-by-step instructions for a delightful holiday treat that’s sure to impress:
Step 1: Prepare the Eggs. Begin by cracking your two large eggs into a spacious mixing bowl. Using a whisk or fork, beat them thoroughly until the yolks and whites are fully combined and slightly frothy. This ensures they’ll blend smoothly into the batter, contributing to a consistent, even texture throughout your cookie bars.
Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients. To the whisked eggs, add the entire box of white cake mix (usually 15 oz) and your measured melted butter. Using an electric mixer (either a handheld mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment), beat these ingredients together. Start on a low speed to prevent the dry cake mix from creating a dust cloud, then gradually increase to a medium speed. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth, cohesive, and all ingredients are perfectly combined, typically for about 1-2 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly incorporated.
Step 3: Fold in the Festive Mix-ins. Now for the fun part – adding the holiday cheer! Gently fold in 1 cup of the Christmas-colored M&M’s (reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for topping) and all of the white chocolate chips into your prepared batter. The batter will be quite thick and dense, so a sturdy rubber spatula or a wooden spoon works best for this step. Mix just until the M&M’s and white chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can sometimes lead to tougher bars.
Step 4: Prepare and Spread the Batter. Take a 9×13 inch baking dish and lightly grease it generously with cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your beautiful cookie bars once baked. Once greased, transfer the thick cookie bar batter into the dish. This dough is indeed quite dense, so spreading it evenly can be a bit tricky. For the best results, use a rubber spatula, or for a hands-on approach, lightly grease your hands with cooking spray and gently press the batter out to cover the entire bottom of the dish in an even layer. This simple trick makes the spreading process significantly easier and less messy!
Pro Tip for Spreading Thick Batter
Because this cookie bar batter is wonderfully thick, it can feel challenging to spread evenly. Don’t fight it! The easiest way to manage this dense dough is to lightly grease your hands with a little cooking spray or use the back of a lightly oiled rubber spatula. This will create a non-stick surface, allowing you to easily press and flatten the dough into an even layer across the entire baking dish without any fuss. This ensures consistent baking and perfectly uniform bars.
Step 5: Add a Decorative Topping and Bake. For an extra festive touch and irresistible visual appeal, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of red and green M&M’s generously over the top of the spread-out cookie bar batter. This ensures every slice has those iconic holiday colors shining through. Transfer the baking dish to a preheated oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be vigilant not to overbake, as this can lead to dry, crumbly bars. You want them to be perfectly moist and chewy!
Once your irresistible Christmas Cookie Bars are beautifully baked, carefully remove them from the oven. The hardest part is now waiting! Allow them to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack before attempting to slice them. Cooling is absolutely crucial for the bars to set properly; trying to cut them too soon will likely result in them crumbling. Once fully cooled, slice them into neat squares or rectangles of your desired size, and then get ready to watch these delightful treats vanish in an instant – they’re truly that good!
Can I Use a Different Flavor of Cake Mix for These Delicious Cookie Bars?
Absolutely! While white cake mix provides a neutral base that truly lets the holiday M&M’s and creamy white chocolate chips shine, these bars are incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with other cake mix flavors to create a unique twist and cater to different preferences. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability!
- Yellow Cake Mix: This classic choice will add a rich, buttery vanilla flavor, making your bars even more decadent and giving them a homemade taste.
- Vanilla Cake Mix: Similar to white cake mix, but often with a slightly stronger vanilla essence. It’s a safe and delicious alternative that enhances the sweetness.
- Chocolate Cake Mix: For the ultimate chocolate lover! Imagine a rich, fudgy chocolate cookie bar studded with vibrant festive M&M’s and creamy white chocolate chips. A truly indulgent and irresistible option.
- Red Velvet Cake Mix: Want to amplify the holiday colors? A red velvet base would be stunning, creating a beautiful red backdrop for the white chocolate chips and green M&M’s, perfect for a Christmas theme.
- Spice Cake Mix: For a more aromatic and cozy feel, a spice cake mix would infuse your bars with warm holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making them an ideal treat for a chilly winter evening.
- Strawberry Cake Mix: For a subtle pink hue and fruity flavor, perfect if you’re aiming for a softer, more pastel holiday palette or simply love strawberry.
Regardless of the cake mix flavor you choose, the preparation steps remain exactly the same. Just swap out the white cake mix for your preferred flavor and follow the recipe instructions as written. Enjoy customizing your Christmas Cookie Bars to perfectly suit your taste and holiday theme!
Each decadent bite of these bars is a true celebration of holiday flavors, perfectly blended with the sweet creaminess of white chocolate and the satisfying, colorful crunch of M&M’s. They are visually stunning and taste even better, making them an ideal centerpiece for any holiday dessert spread or a delightful treat for casual enjoyment.
Storing Your Christmas Cookie Bars for Maximum Freshness
If by some miracle you have any leftovers of these highly addictive cookie bars, proper storage is absolutely key to maintaining their deliciousness and optimal texture. Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before transferring them. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat, and they will retain their wonderful taste and soft, chewy texture for 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can also freeze individual bars. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1-2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a quick and convenient treat!
These Christmas cookie bars aren’t just good; they’re truly exceptional and incredibly simple to create, consistently earning rave reviews from everyone who tries them! I often refer to them as “magic cookie bars” because they’re so unfussy yet deliver such an impressive, bakery-quality result that’s perfect for holiday parties, festive potlucks, or heartfelt homemade gifts. Their ease of preparation combined with their delightful taste and festive appearance makes them a secret weapon for any holiday host. If you’ve been hesitant to try your hand at M&M’s cookie bars, let this be the year you conquer them – you won’t regret adding this fantastic recipe to your holiday repertoire!
Make these delightful, no-fuss dessert bars a staple on your holiday baking list, and experience the joy of a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that minimizes stress and maximizes flavor! What are you waiting for? Head to the store, grab a box of cake mix and some festive M&M’s, and give this recipe a try. We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!
This recipe is destined to become your go-to for a fast, stress-free, and endlessly pleasing holiday dessert. Its irresistible flavor, festive colors, and incredible ease make it truly special. It’s safe to say these vibrant Christmas Cookie Bars are going to be a beloved favorite for many Christmases to come. Happy baking, and enjoy the delicious magic of the season!
Explore More Festive Holiday Dessert Ideas!
Looking for more easy and delicious treats to complete your holiday menu or fill your cookie platters? We’ve got you covered with a selection of other fantastic recipes that are perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying with your loved ones. These recipes also emphasize simplicity and delightful flavors, making your holiday baking even more enjoyable:
- Effortless Cake Mix Sugar Cookies: Soft, chewy, and perfect for decorating with festive icing and sprinkles.
- Simple Cake Mix Snickerdoodles: Get that classic cinnamon-sugar goodness with minimal fuss, a true winter warmer.
- Chocolate Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies: These festive cookies feature a beautiful crinkled, powdered sugar coating, looking like fresh-fallen snow.
- Sweet & Salty Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars: An irresistible combination of flavors and textures that will have everyone reaching for more.
- Addictive Christmas Crack: A holiday favorite that truly lives up to its name – watch it disappear fast!
- Quick & Easy Ritz Cracker Toffee: A salty-sweet treat that’s surprisingly simple to make but incredibly delicious.
- Decadent Pecan Pie Brownies: A rich and fudgy fusion of two beloved dessert classics, perfect for a sophisticated holiday spread.
- Creamy Hot Chocolate Dip: A cozy and indulgent dip perfect for serving with cookies, fruit, or marshmallows.
- Festive Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball: A unique sweet appetizer that’s always a surprising and delightful hit at parties.
- Fudgy Cake Mix Brownies: Achieve rich, chocolatey, and perfectly fudgy brownies with the ultimate cake mix shortcut.
- Classic Pecan Pie Bars: All the flavor of traditional pecan pie but in an easy-to-serve bar form, great for large gatherings.
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Truffles: A quick, no-fuss, and relatively healthier treat for peanut butter lovers during the busy season.
- Chewy Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies: A simple way to get warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies without starting from scratch.
- Giant Monster Cookie Bars: Packed with oats, peanut butter, and M&M’s, these substantial bars are a feast for the eyes and the stomach!
Christmas Cookie Bars
Joy Shull
10 minutes
20-25 minutes
30-35 minutes
12
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Ingredients for Christmas Cookie Bars
-
1 box (15 oz) white cake mix -
1/3 cup salted butter, melted -
2 large eggs -
1 1/2 cups holiday M&M’S, divided (1 cup for batter, 1/2 cup for topping) -
1/3 cup white chocolate chips -
Cooking spray, for greasing the pan and hands
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
-
In a large mixing bowl, beat the two large eggs until well combined and slightly frothy.
-
Add the entire box of white cake mix and the melted salted butter to the bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and form a thick, uniform batter, scraping down the sides as needed.
-
Gently fold in 1 cup of the holiday M&M’s and the white chocolate chips using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until evenly distributed throughout the thick batter.
-
Transfer the cookie dough batter into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. For easier spreading, lightly grease your hands with cooking spray or use a greased rubber spatula to press the thick batter into an even layer across the bottom of the dish.
-
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Christmas M&M’s evenly over the top of the batter for a beautiful, festive finish.
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake, as this will dry out the bars.
-
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting them into squares or rectangles. This ensures they set properly and are easy to slice.
-
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days for optimal freshness. They can also be wrapped well and frozen for up to 1-2 months for longer storage.
Nutrition
Calories:
345
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
50
g
,
Protein:
4
g
,
Fat:
15
g
,
Saturated Fat:
9
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g
,
Trans Fat:
0.4
g
,
Cholesterol:
46
mg
,
Sodium:
319
mg
,
Potassium:
48
mg
,
Fiber:
1
g
,
Sugar:
34
g
,
Vitamin A:
257
IU
,
Vitamin C:
0.2
mg
,
Calcium:
123
mg
,
Iron:
1
mg
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