The holidays are around the corner and that means it's time for baking! But let's be honest, sometimes we need a recipe that's easy, quick, and still delivers that festive cheer. Well, look no further than these Festive Cookie Bars!
They're made with a simple cake mix base, studded with colorful M&Ms, and baked to golden perfection. The best part? You can whip them up in minutes!
My kids love these so much... well, mostly they love any cookies when they have M&Ms in them!
What you'll need
- Large bowl
- Silicone spoon
- 11x7 brownie pan (other sizes work, just adjust baking time!)
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup M&Ms (red and green)
Let's get baking!
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In your large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil. Give it a good stir with your silicone spoon until a dough forms. It'll be thick and slightly sticky.
Now for the fun part! Fold in those festive red and green M&Ms.
Pour the dough into your prepared pan, using the back of your spoon to spread it out evenly and press it into the corners.
Pop it in the oven and bake for 25-28 minutes. You'll know they're done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Take the pan out of the oven and let the bars cool completely. This is important so they firm up and are easy to cut.
Once cooled, cut into bars and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
These Festive Cookie Bars are perfect for sharing at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. They're soft, chewy, and full of festive flavor. And with such an easy recipe, you can bake up a batch anytime the holiday spirit strikes!
Tips & Tricks
- Feel free to use any color M&Ms you like or even add other mix-ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
- If you don't have an 11x7 pan, you can use a 9x13 pan, but the bars will be thinner and bake faster. Keep an eye on them!
- These bars also freeze well. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Happy Holidays and happy baking!
Here are some more fun cake mix cookie recipes you might love!
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- No Fail Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
- Simple Strawberry Cake Box Cookie Recipe
