Loaded Christmas Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

If you want to impress your guests or just treat yourself with something that screams festive joy, this Loaded Christmas Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe is an absolute game changer. Seriously, these bars are bursting with peanut butter goodness, melty chocolate, and those adorable holiday M&Ms that add both color and crunch. I love this recipe because it’s simple to whip up but tastes way more indulgent than your average cookie bar. Stick with me and I’ll show you every step so your batch turns out perfectly delicious every time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here plays a crucial role in making these bars both soft and chewy with a perfect balance of flavors. The peanut butter chips and holiday M&Ms bring more than just sweetness—they add texture and seasonal flair that I adore. Let’s go over the ingredients with some quick tips to make your shopping a breeze.

• All-purpose flour: Make sure you measure this accurately by spooning it into your cup and leveling it off to avoid dense bars.
• Baking powder: Helps these bars rise just enough to be soft and cakey, not flat and dry.
• Baking soda: Balances the leavening and helps give a slight chewiness.
• Fine sea salt: Enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors—don’t skip it!
• Unsalted butter: At cool room temperature so it creams nicely with sugars for a fluffy dough.
• Creamy peanut butter: This is the star flavor; I recommend a good-quality brand for best taste.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor that complements peanut butter perfectly.
• Granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar for sweetness and gives a slight crunch.
• Large eggs: At room temperature for better mixing and texture.
• Vanilla extract: A small amount amps up all the flavors nicely.
• Milk: Just a splash to help create the right dough consistency.
• Peanut butter chips: For extra pockets of peanut buttery goodness—my secret weapon!
• Holiday Peanut Butter M&Ms: Using festive colors takes these bars to the next level visually and flavor-wise.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Adds a touch of chocolate decadence without overpowering the peanut butter.
• Flaky sea salt (optional): A sprinkle on top just before serving makes the flavors pop beautifully.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on the occasion and who I’m serving it to. Feel free to get creative with mix-ins and toppings to fit your taste or dietary needs. This recipe is flexible enough to handle tweaks without losing that magical chewy texture and flavor punch.

• Nut-Free Version: Swap out peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and use allergy-friendly chocolate chips; my nephew loves this version and can never tell the difference!
• Extra Chocolate: I sometimes add a handful of white chocolate chips or chunks for more variety in flavor and melty bites.
• Holiday Twist: Try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice around Christmas for a cozy, warm note.
• Healthier Swap: Use a natural, no-sugar-added peanut butter and reduce the granulated sugar slightly to make it a bit lighter but still delicious.

How to Make Loaded Christmas Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F. Then line a 9×13 metal baking pan with aluminum foil so you can easily lift the bars out once they’re baked. I use metal binder clips to keep the foil tight and spray the pan generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking—this little step saves you a headache later on, trust me.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Getting these evenly combined upfront helps the bars bake perfectly and evenly. You’ll set this aside until we mix it with the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cool room temperature butter, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until everything is beautifully smooth and well combined—about 2 minutes. This step is where your cookie bars get their light texture, so don’t rush it. If you don’t have a paddle attachment, just mix until fluffy by hand.

Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Milk

Scrape down the sides of your bowl, then add the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat again until the mixture looks smooth and creamy. This blend will smell incredible—like peanut buttery heaven.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Turn the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture until just combined. The dough will be thick, kind of like soft cookie dough. Avoid overmixing here—it helps keep the bars tender.

Step 6: Fold in the Chips and M&Ms

Now for the fun part! Add the peanut butter chips, holiday Peanut Butter M&Ms, and semisweet chocolate chips. If your mixer struggles, switch to folding gently with a spatula so you don’t crush the M&Ms. This load of mix-ins makes these cookie bars feel truly special every bite.

Step 7: Press Into the Pan and Decorate

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan and press it in evenly. Don’t be shy to get your hands a little sticky here—that helps keep it uniform. Sprinkle the reserved M&Ms and chocolate chips on top to make them look as festive as they taste.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes. You want the edges to be golden and the center just a bit jiggly—not wet, but not completely firm either. I usually start checking at 28 minutes to avoid overbaking because that’s when they’re perfectly soft. Once out of the oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top if you’re using it—that hit of salt really balances the sweetness beautifully.

Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before trying to cut them. This cooling time helps them set firmly and slice cleanly, which means no crumbly messes when serving or gifting.

How to Serve Loaded Christmas Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling flaky sea salt over the top just as soon as the bars come out of the oven. It’s such a simple touch but it amps up the peanut butter and chocolate flavors like crazy. If you’re feeling extra festive, some crushed candy canes or a drizzle of melted white chocolate look gorgeous and add a minty or creamy twist.

Side Dishes

These cookie bars pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or a mug of rich hot cocoa sprinkled with cinnamon. For holiday parties, serve alongside a variety of nuts or fresh fruit for a balanced snack platter that everyone will love.

Creative Ways to Present

To really impress at your holiday gathering, cut the cookie bars into bite-size squares and place them on a tiered dessert tray with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly leaves tucked around. You could also wrap them individually in decorative parchment and tie with twine for delightful edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay soft and tasty for about five days, which is perfect because, honestly, they don’t last longer at my house!

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully. I usually cut them into squares first, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap before placing in a freezer-safe bag. When I want one, I just let it thaw at room temperature or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds—perfectly fresh.

Reheating

When serving chilled leftovers, I like to warm a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It brings back that gooey melting moment with the chocolate and peanut butter chips with zero dryness—trust me, so much better than eating cold bars right from the fridge.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Loaded Christmas Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe is truly a keeper in my kitchen rotation, especially around the holidays. I love how foolproof it is and the way it fills the house with that incredible peanut butter and chocolate aroma. Whether you’re gifting them, bringing them to a party, or just sneaking bites late at night, these bars deliver on taste, texture, and festive cheer every time. Give this recipe a try—I promise you’ll be making it again and again once you see how easy and delicious it is!

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