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Looking for a festive snack that'll fill your home with holiday aromas? These colorful cookie bars are basically supercharged blondies, decked out with bright M&Ms and fun sprinkles! They're great for holiday exchanges, family gatherings, or just keeping on your counter when you need something sweet.
What Makes These So Good
Let's face it - who's got time to roll out dozens of cookies during the hectic holidays? These bars deliver all that delicious, chewy goodness in a single pan. Simply combine, dump, bake, and cut! They're also fantastic for preparing days ahead and storing in the freezer, so you'll always have a special treat ready for surprise visitors.
Your Shopping List
- Butter: 1/2 cup unsalted, softened - leave it out about an hour
- Brown Sugar: 2 cups packed - this gives amazing chewiness!
- Eggs: 2 large, cold from the refrigerator works fine
- Vanilla: 1 teaspoon - spring for the genuine extract if you can
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon to cut through the sweetness
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon for just enough rise
- Flour: 2 cups all-purpose - nothing fancy needed here
- Holiday M&Ms: 1 cup of those festive red and green ones
- Sprinkles: 1/2 cup Christmas colors - jimmies work wonderfully
Baking Instructions Revealed!
- Prep Steps
- Heat your oven to 350°F and cover a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil. Hit it with cooking spray so nothing sticks!
- Create Your Foundation
- Cream together your butter and brown sugar until well combined. Don't stress if it looks somewhat grainy!
- Incorporate Liquids
- Add eggs and vanilla. Keep mixing until everything looks smooth and consistent.
- Handle The Dry Components
- Toss in salt and baking powder, then slowly work in the flour. Mix just enough to combine everything.
- Add Some Holiday Cheer
- Gently stir in most M&Ms and sprinkles but keep some aside for the top!
- Fill Your Baking Dish
- Press the mixture into your pan (it should be quite thick). Scatter remaining candies and sprinkles on top.
- Into The Oven
- Bake for 22-25 minutes. Look for golden edges, but the center might seem slightly underdone which means you'll get super chewy bars!
The Foolproof Formula
You know why these bars rock? They're practically impossible to mess up! No complicated steps or fancy tools required - just mix, spread, and bake. They come out soft and chewy every single time, and that brown sugar creates an amazing almost-caramel flavor throughout.
Seasonal Variations
The coolest thing about this recipe? You can adapt it for any celebration! Just swap the M&Ms and sprinkles colors - try orange and black for Halloween, pink and red for Valentine's, or soft pastels for Easter. Same delicious base, totally different look!
Tricks For Perfect Results
Wanna know my top trick for amazing bars? Let the foil hang over the sides of the pan a bit - you'll pull them out so much easier. And another good one: take them out when they still seem a tiny bit underbaked. They'll finish cooking as they cool, giving you that awesome chewy texture everyone loves.
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Storage Solutions
After your bars cool down completely, put them in an airtight container. They'll stay soft and delicious for about a week - assuming they don't vanish before then! Want to plan ahead? These freeze amazingly for up to a month. Just wrap them properly and thaw whenever you're craving something sweet.
Custom Creations
Feel free to experiment with this recipe! Throw in some crushed nuts, try different candy chunks, or add a drizzle of melted chocolate across the top. The recipe base is so reliable, it's almost impossible to go wrong. Get creative and start your own holiday baking tradition!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use different candies?
Any bright colors do the job. Regular M&Ms work fine. Try mixing different types. Just pick something colorful. That's what makes them festive.
- → How do I store them?
Put them in an airtight container. They'll stay fresh a week. You can freeze them for three months. Layer with parchment paper. If your family doesn't finish them first!
- → Can I make them gluten-free?
Gluten-free flour blends work. Read package instructions carefully. They'll still turn out soft. You might need extra moisture. Keep an eye on baking time.
- → How do I make them extra chewy?
Pull them out early. The middle should look slightly underdone. They'll firm up as they cool. Go with your gut. Slightly underbaked is better than overbaked.
- → Can I adapt them for other holidays?
Just change the candy colors. Match them to your holiday. Try different toppings. The base stays the same. They'll work for any celebration.
- → What if they're browning too fast?
Monitor them carefully. Turn down the oven slightly. Move the pan to a lower rack. Tent with aluminum foil. Check them before the timer goes off.
- → How do I transport them?
Use a sturdy container. Put parchment between layers. Don't stack too high. Bring some extra ones. They're worth protecting during travel.
- → Can I make them even quicker?
You can use just one bowl. Get ingredients measured beforehand. Don't overmix the batter. You'll still need full baking time. The short wait pays off.
- → Can I double the recipe?
Doubling works great. You'll need a larger baking dish. Allow extra time in the oven. Watch for the middle to set properly. Good oven circulation helps a lot.
- → How can I make them sweeter?
Add more candy throughout. Throw in extra sprinkles. Try adding frosting. Maybe a sweet glaze on top. But don't go overboard.
- → Why aren't they setting properly?
Give them more time in the oven. Check your oven temperature. The center needs to firm up. Let them cool completely. Patience gets the best results.
- → Why is my candy looking odd?
Hold some back for the top. Press them in gently. Add them just before finishing. Monitor the temperature closely. This keeps the colors vibrant.
Conclusion
Enjoyed these? Give candy-loaded blondies a shot next time. Or whip up some holiday bark instead. Both are equally quick and festive.