These Santa's Cookie Bars are the ultimate Christmas treat: soft, buttery, and loaded with crushed Oreos, melty chocolate chips, and festive red and green M&Ms. They're the kind of cozy, colorful dessert that looks adorable on a holiday dessert table and tastes even better warm with a glass of milk.
Holiday treats are my fave. The easier and cuter, the better. I love that these bars feel like a mix between classic chocolate chip cookies and loaded cookie dough, but baked into one soft, chewy square. They're perfect for gifting or sneaking before Santa shows up.
These Santas cookie bars are beginner-friendly, low effort, and bake up beautifully golden every time. Whether you're bringing them to a Christmas party or baking them for fun, they're guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like holiday magic.
Things to Know Before Making Santa's Cookie Bars
- For soft, chewy centers, don't overbake. Take them out when the edges are golden.
- You can use holiday-themed M&Ms for any season (red and pink for Valentine's, pastels for Easter, etc.).
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Sprinkle extra M&Ms and crushed Oreos on top before baking for that Pinterest-perfect look.
These cookie bars are everything I love about Christmas baking: cozy, colorful, and totally nostalgic. They're basically Santa's dream snack, so I always make an extra batch (one for the cookie plate and one for me).
If you're into easy and cute holiday recipes, you'll love these too: Christmas Light Chocolate-Covered Strawberries, Grinch Pretzel Twists, and Easy Christmas Popcorn.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create that chewy, soft texture.
- Brown and granulated sugar: The perfect combo for sweetness and caramel flavor.
- Eggs: Bind the dough and add moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that classic cookie flavor.
- Flour and salt: Keep the bars soft but stable.
- Mini chocolate chips: Melt into every bite for gooey chocolatey goodness.
- Christmas Oreos and M&Ms: Add crunch, color, and festive flair.
Scroll to the recipe card for exact measurements.
How to Make Santa's Cookie Bars
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and salt, mixing until combined.
Step 3: Stir in the flour just until no streaks remain, then fold in the chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, and M&Ms (saving a few for the top).
Step 4: Press one-third of the dough into the pan, layer 9 whole Oreos on top, then cover with the remaining dough. Press gently to even it out.
Step 5: Sprinkle the reserved crushed Oreos and M&Ms over the top and bake for 22-25 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing into bars.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use peanut butter M&Ms for a sweet-salty twist.
- Add white chocolate chips for an extra festive pop.
- Try crushed peppermint candies for a minty variation.
- Turn them into "Reindeer Bars" by topping each with pretzel antlers and candy eyes.
What to Serve with Santa's Cookie Bars
These bars go perfectly with a glass of cold milk or a cozy mug of Hot Cocoa. They also make a cute addition to a Christmas dessert board alongside fudge, truffles, or sugar cookies or added to your Christmas Cookie Gift Boxes.
Storage and Freezing
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months, just thaw at room temp before serving.
FAQs
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Bake it in a 9x13-inch pan and increase the bake time by 5-8 minutes.
Can I use regular Oreos instead of Christmas Oreos?
Absolutely. Any flavor of Oreos works (peppermint or golden Oreos are great too).
How do I keep my cookie bars soft?
Don't overbake, and store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep moisture in.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes. These bars taste even better the next day once the flavors settle and the texture softens.
More Easy Christmas Recipes
- Pretzel Christmas Bark
- Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
- Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Puff Pastry
- Mini Piggies in a Blanket
- Caramel Apple Bark
Easy Santa's Cookie Bars
These Santa's Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and loaded with chocolate chips, M&Ms, and crushed Oreos for the ultimate festive dessert. They bake into thick, chewy bars that are perfect for Christmas cookie plates, holiday parties, or cozy baking nights at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed Christmas Oreos (plus 9 whole Oreos for layering)
- ¼ cup Christmas M&M's
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until fully combined. Add in the flour and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
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Fold in the chocolate chips, M&M's, and crushed Oreos (reserving some for garnish).
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Press about ⅓ of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer the 9 whole Oreos across the top.
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Spread the remaining cookie dough evenly over the Oreos, pressing gently to cover them.
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Sprinkle a few extra crushed Oreos and M&M's on top for decoration.
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Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Allow to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing into bars.
Recipe Notes
• Line your baking pan with parchment for perfect edges.
• Bake for 22 minutes for gooey centers or 25 for a firmer texture.
• Add extra M&Ms on top before baking for that colorful, festive look.
• Perfect for cookie swaps, holiday parties, or Santa's snack plate.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep them soft.
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