If you are looking for a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that requires minimal effort, these Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are about to become your new holiday favorite. They bring together everything you love about classic, soft-baked chocolate chip cookies—buttery sweetness, rich chocolate pockets, and a soft, chewy texture—made ultra-festive with red and green M&M’s and a secret ingredient that keeps them melt-in-your-mouth tender.
The best part? No rolling, no chilling, and no scooping required. You just press the dough into a single baking pan, bake, and slice. Whether you are hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for a cookie exchange, or making a cozy weekend dessert, these bars deliver maximum festive cheer with minimal kitchen cleanup.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20-25 minutes | Yield: 16-24 bars
Ingredients
The Cookie Dough Base
- 1 package (17.5 oz / 496g) Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
- 1 box (3.4 oz / 96g) Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix (the secret to ultra-soft bars!)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113g) Land O’Lakes Butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 2 large Eggs
- 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed (adds a deep chewy texture)
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
The Festive Mix-ins
- 1 cup Christmas M&M’s (red and green), divided
- 1 cup Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, divided
- 2 tbsp Festive Rainbow Sprinkles (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides for easy removal, and spray lightly with non-stick spray.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, flour, and brown sugar. Pour in the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir well with a spatula until a thick, uniform cookie dough forms.
- Fold in the Treats: Set aside about 1/4 cup of the M&M’s and 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips for the top layer. Fold the remaining M&M’s and mini chocolate chips evenly into the cookie dough.
- Press into the Pan: Transfer the thick dough into your prepared baking pan. Using a spatula or clean hands, press the dough evenly into all corners of the pan until it forms a smooth, level layer.
- Top and Decorate: Press the reserved M&M’s and mini chocolate chips gently into the surface of the dough, making sure the red and green colors are scattered beautifully. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles if desired.
- Bake and Slice: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Do not overbake to keep them soft! Let them cool completely in the pan before lifting the parchment paper out and slicing them into clean squares.