Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are a holiday treat that brings both joy and indulgence to any festive occasion. Imagine biting into a warm, chewy cookie bar that has the delightful nuttiness of brown butter and the colorful sprinkles of M&M’s. Isn’t that a dreamy way to celebrate the season? As you gather with family and friends, these cookie bars will definitely be a hit. They’re easy to make, filling your kitchen with a cozy aroma that just screams holidays. Plus, there’s something magical about melting chocolate mingling with hints of caramelized butter. Trust me, you and your loved ones won’t be able to resist these delicious, festive delights. So, let’s get started on making your new favorite holiday dessert!
Why This Recipe Works
Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are the perfect holiday treat, blending the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter with festive bursts of colorful M&M’s. This combination creates a delightful contrast of textures and tastes, ensuring every bite feels special and inviting. The brown butter adds depth, making these bars more than just an ordinary cookie; it transforms them into a festive indulgence everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars
The magic of these cookie bars lies in their gooey, chewy center paired with a slightly crisp top, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. With the festive addition of M&M’s, they are not only delicious but also visually appealing. Imagine serving them at family gatherings or holiday parties; their vibrant colors will brighten up any table. Plus, they’re easy to make, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the holiday cheer with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Christmas M&M’s (or more!)
- 10-12 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses, halved
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Getting Started with Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars
Browning the Butter to Perfection
Begin by adding the salted butter to a skillet set over medium heat. As the butter heats up, keep a close eye on it. You’ll cook until it becomes a deep golden brown, taking about 3 to 4 minutes. It’s important to stir it frequently to prevent burning. Once browned, remove the skillet from heat, and carefully transfer the butter to a heatproof bowl. To cool it down quickly, chill in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes until slightly firmed up. This step is crucial, as it helps enhance the cookie bars’ flavor.
Preparing the Oven and Baking Dish
While your butter cools, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookie bars bake evenly. Next, prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper. This simple step makes for easy removal later, so don’t skip it!
Creaming the Sugars with Browned Butter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, beat until fully combined and smooth. This mixture should look shiny, and the sugars need to dissolve well into the butter, creating a luscious base.
Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla
Now it’s time to add the eggs. Crack them in one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they’re fully incorporated. Follow that with the vanilla extract and mix until well blended. The aroma of vanilla mixing with brown butter will have your kitchen smelling like a holiday dream!
Combining the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. It’s essential not to overmix at this stage because that’s how we maintain the soft, chewy texture of our cookie bars.
Adding Festive Touches: M&M’s and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the Christmas M&M’s, being careful not to break them apart. Set aside 1 cup of the cookie dough for later. To the remaining dough, mix in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, creating a delightful chocolatey base that everyone loves.
Assembling the Cookie Bars
Now, it’s time to get your hands a little messy! Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Take that reserved dough and press it on top to mostly cover the base layer. Feel free to add additional M&M’s on the top for an extra pop of color and fun. Just picture how festive these bars will look!
Baking for a Perfect Finish
Place the baking dish into your preheated oven, letting it bake for 18 to 22 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want them to be golden brown but slightly doughy in the center for that perfect texture. Once they’re out of the oven, sprinkle the halved Hershey’s Kisses over the warm cookie bars. Pop it back in the oven for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to let the chocolate gently melt.
Finishing Touches
To elevate the flavors, sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt; this little touch makes a big difference! Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan before slicing them into squares. If you can’t wait, serving them warm will give you a decadent treat that nobody will be able to refuse!
Serving Suggestions
These Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are perfect as a dessert or snack. They shine when served warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. You might also consider pairing them with a cup of hot cocoa which will definitely enhance the cozy vibe!
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Eggs: For easy mixing and better incorporation, ensure your eggs are at room temperature.
- Avoid Overmixing: When adding dry ingredients, mix until just combined to keep that soft, chewy texture.
- Storage: Keep your cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Variations
- Nutty Addition: If you enjoy a crunch, add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough for extra texture.
- Chocolate Overload: Feel free to swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate or white chocolate for a twist on flavor.
- Festive Sprinkles: Switch out M&M’s with seasonal sprinkles for a fun, colorful alternative!
FAQs
1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Absolutely! Just adjust the salt in the recipe according to your taste preferences.
2. How long do these cookie bars last?
Stored in an airtight container, they will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
3. Can I freeze the cookie bars?
Yes, wrap them tightly and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw before serving!
4. Can I use different M&M’s?
Definitely! Any seasonal M&M’s or chocolate-covered candies will work beautifully.
5. What should I pair with these cookie bars?
These scrumptious bars pair well with milk, coffee, or even a warm holiday beverage.
These Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars are sure to become a cherished addition to your holiday baking tradition. With their irresistible flavor and festive appearance, they bring joy and warmth to any gathering. Enjoy making and sharing them this season!
Print
Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars
These cookie bars offer a delightful chewy texture with the rich flavor of brown butter, enhanced by festive M&M’s. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they are simple to prepare and full of joy.
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Christmas M&M's (or more!)
- 10–12 Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses, halved
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Brown the butter in a skillet over medium heat until deep golden brown.
- Cool the browned butter in a heatproof bowl.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix browned butter with dark brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate bowl, then mix into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in Christmas M&M's and chocolate chips, reserving some dough.
- Press dough into the prepared baking dish and add reserved dough on top.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, sprinkle with Hershey's Kisses, and bake for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and cool before slicing.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Use room temperature eggs for better mixing.
Avoid overmixing to maintain the chewy texture.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 33
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 45
