Festive Layered Treats: Luscious Holiday Layers:

The Best Kind of Kitchen Mess

My kitchen counter is a happy mess right now. There are little bits of red and green everywhere. It looks like a tiny elf party exploded.

I love making these bar cookies during the holidays. They are so simple and fun. My grandkids love to help sprinkle the candies on top. Their little faces get so serious. It makes my heart feel full.

A Little Story About Butter and Sugar

Let me tell you a secret. The best part is mixing the butter and sugars. I still laugh at that. One time my grandson licked the spoon too soon. He had sugar all over his nose!

That creamy, sweet mixture is the heart of the recipe. Creaming them together well makes the bars soft. This matters because it gives them that perfect, chewy texture we all love. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Time to Mix in the Joy

Now for the fun part. We fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. The batter becomes a rainbow of colors. Fun fact: M&M’s were first made for soldiers to enjoy! They wouldn’t melt in their pockets.

Be gentle when you mix in the flour. Too much mixing makes the bars tough. A few streaks of flour are just fine. This matters for a tender bite. What is your favorite candy to bake with?

Making it Pretty and Baking with Love

Press the batter into your pan. Now, take the rest of those M&M’s. Press them into the top with a smile. Add a few extra sprinkles for good luck.

As they bake, your whole house will smell like a holiday. That smell is a hug for your family. It tells everyone that something good is coming. Do you have a food smell that makes you feel happy?

The Hardest Part is Waiting

When they come out golden, you must let them cool. I know, it is the hardest part. But if you cut them warm, they will fall apart.

Waiting for them to cool makes them set perfectly. Then you get those beautiful, neat squares. It teaches us a little patience. And the reward is so sweet. Do you think you can wait, or will you sneak a warm bite?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
unsalted butter	½ cup	melted
packed light brown sugar	½ cup
granulated sugar	⅓ cup
egg	1 large	room temperature
vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
all-purpose flour	1 cup
salt	¼ teaspoon
semi-sweet chocolate chips	½ cup
red and green M&M’s	½ cup
Christmas jimmies	¼ cup
Christmas sprinkles		for sprinkling over the baked cookie bars if desired

My Favorite Festive Layered Treats

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me in the kitchen. The holidays always make me think of baking. I love making these festive layered treats. They are like little squares of Christmas joy.

My granddaughter calls them “confetti cookies.” I still laugh at that. They are so easy to mix up. You just need one bowl. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? Let’s get started.

Step 1

First, turn your oven on to 350°F. We need to get it nice and warm. Take your square pan and brush it with a little melted butter. Then, lay a piece of parchment paper inside. This paper is like a little handle. It helps us lift the treats out later. (This is my hard-learned tip. It saves so much trouble!)

Step 2

Now, grab a big bowl. Put the rest of your melted butter in it. Add the brown sugar and the white sugar. Whisk them all together until they are smooth. It will look like a lovely, sandy paste. Then, crack in the egg and add the vanilla. Whisk it again until it’s all one happy family.

Step 3

Time for the flour and salt. Just dump them right in. Mix everything gently. Stop as soon as you can’t see dry flour anymore. Do not over-mix! This keeps our treats soft and tender. I learned this from my own abuela many years ago.

Step 4

Here comes the fun part. It’s time for the colorful bits! Gently fold in the chocolate chips, most of the M&M’s, and the jimmies. Save a few M&M’s for the top. The batter will be very thick and chunky. That is exactly how we want it.

Step 5

Spread the batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to push it into the corners. Now, press the leftover M&M’s right on top. They will look so pretty peeking out. What’s your favorite part of decorating cookies? Share below!

Step 6

Pop the pan into the hot oven. Bake for about 20 minutes. You will know it’s done when the top is golden. A toothpick poked in the middle should come out clean. Your whole house will smell like a bakery. It’s the best smell in the world.

Step 7

Take the pan out and let it cool on a rack. This is the hardest part, waiting! Once it’s cool, use the parchment paper handles to lift the whole block out. Then, just cut it into squares. I always sneak a tiny corner piece first.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 9 servings
Category: Dessert, Snack

Let’s Get Creative With Your Treats!

The best part about baking is making it your own. You can change these treats so easily. Here are a few fun ideas I like to play with.

• Peanut Butter Twist: Use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips. It tastes like a candy bar!
• Birthday Party Version: Use rainbow sprinkles and regular M&M’s. It becomes a celebration cake in a square.
• Nutty Delight: Swap the jimmies for chopped walnuts or pecans. It adds a nice little crunch.

I love trying new combinations. It keeps things exciting in the kitchen. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Festive Masterpiece

Now, how should we enjoy these lovely treats? They are wonderful all on their own. But you can make them extra special.

I love serving them on a big platter at a party. For a real treat, place one square on a small plate. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream right next to it. The warm bar and cold ice cream are magic together.

What should we drink? A cold glass of milk is the classic choice. It is perfect for kids and adults. For a grown-up party, a little cup of coffee with cream pairs beautifully. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Holiday Treats Fresh

These layered treats stay yummy for days. Just let them cool completely first. Then store them in a sealed container on the counter.

You can also freeze them for a sweet treat later. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap. Pop them all into a freezer bag. They will keep for a month.

I once sent a whole batch to my grandson. I forgot to tell him they were in the freezer. He found them two weeks later and was so happy!

This matters because life gets busy during the holidays. Having a ready-made dessert saves you time and stress. You can enjoy a moment of peace with a sweet bite.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Easy Fixes for Common Baking Troubles

Sometimes the middle does not bake all the way. If the top is golden but the inside is wet, just bake it a few minutes longer. Cover the top with foil so it does not burn.

Your treats might be too hard if you mix the batter too much. I remember when I first baked, I stirred and stirred. We had very tough cookies that day! Just mix until you cannot see flour.

If your goodies stick to the pan, the parchment paper is your best friend. Always leave some paper hanging over the sides. This makes it so easy to lift everything out.

Fixing small problems builds your confidence in the kitchen. It also makes your food taste so much better. A perfectly baked treat is a joy to eat.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Baking Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?

A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. The results are just as tasty.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?

A: Absolutely. Bake them a day or two before your party. They stay soft and delicious.

Q: What can I use instead of M&M’s?

A: Any small candy will work. Try chopped nuts or dried cranberries for a different twist.

Q: Can I double this recipe?

A: Of course. Just use a 9×13 inch pan. Your baking time might be a little longer.

Q: Are the extra sprinkles needed?

A: They are optional but so fun. They make the treats look extra special for the holidays.

Fun fact: The first chocolate chip cookie was made by accident!

Which tip will you try first?

Happy Holidays from My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making these festive layered treats. Baking them always fills my home with joy. I love seeing my family’s happy faces when I bring out the pan.

It would make me so happy to see your creations. Share a picture of your beautiful baking. Let’s build a little community of kitchen friends.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.