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Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars

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★★★★★ 4.9 (107 Kitchen Reviews)
Chef Elena Rossi
By Chef Elena Rossi Founder, Culinary Director & Recipe Developer (@recipestokitchen) · Tested & Updated November 5, 2026
Step Guide 3 of 4

3. Step-by-Step Visual Guide

In Part 3 of making Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars, let’s walk through the hands-on cooking technique so your texture turns out restaurant-worthy at home.

Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars — Step-by-Step Visual Guide (Page 3)
Step-by-Step Kitchen Technique: Cooking Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars · @recipestokitchen
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Visual Cues & Timing Secrets

Start by lining your pan with parchment paper—this is my non-negotiable step because it makes lifting the bars out a breeze and keeps the edges neat. Whisk the wet ingredients first, then gently fold in the dry; overmixing will make the bars tough, so stop as soon as you see no flour streaks.

When you spread the batter, it’ll be thick and a little sticky—that’s perfect. Press the extra M&Ms on top so they stay visible, then bake until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly. That’s your cue to pull them out; they’ll finish setting as they cool.

Head to Page 4 for my Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Tips plus what to serve alongside this dish!

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Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars (Part 4)
Step-by-Step Photos & Chef Elena’s Kitchen Secrets
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Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars
👩🍳 RECIPESTO KITCHEN · OFFICIAL TESTED RECIPE CARD

Gooey Christmas Cookie Bars

These gooey Christmas cookie bars are a cross between a soft-baked cookie and a blondie, loaded with festive M&Ms and chocolate chips. They're ridiculously easy to throw together, and the edges get golden while the centers stay perfectly chewy and indulgent.

📌 Pin Recipe to Board★★★★★ 4.9 from Kitchen Testers
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time40 mins
Servings16 bars
CourseDessert
Calories320 kcal

🛒 Ingredients (Check Off As You Measure)

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until fully combined.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and stir with a spatula until just combined—don't overmix. Fold in 3/4 cup of the M&Ms and all the chocolate chips.
  4. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup M&Ms over the top, pressing them in lightly.
  5. Bake for 22–25 minutes, until the edges are set and golden but the center still looks slightly underdone. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 bars.
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👩🍳 Chef Elena’s Kitchen Notes & Storage

For extra gooeyness, pull the bars out when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs—they'll set as they cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Pinterest Kitchen Tip: Save this recipe to your @recipestokitchen board so you can pull up the ingredient checklist at the grocery store!

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 320 kcalProtein: 4gCarbs: 42gFat: 16gFiber: 2g
Chef Elena Rossi
Recipe Developed & Tested By

Chef Elena Rossi

Ciao, I'm Elena! Trained in Florence and based in Chicago, I founded RecipesTo Kitchen (and our @recipestokitchen Pinterest community of 296,580+ monthly home cooks) to share foolproof weeknight dinners, cozy one-pot pastas, and bakery-style desserts that work on the very first try.