If you’re anything like me and love a festive twist on a classic dessert, you’re going to adore my Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms Recipe. These bars are the perfect blend of fudgy chocolate, crunchy nuts, and colorful, cheerful M&Ms that bring a joyful pop of holiday spirit to every bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a staple in your holiday baking lineup—everyone will be asking for the secret!

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Why This Recipe Works

Double-layer delight: The base brownie is rich and fudgy, while the topping combines textures and flavors for a truly magical bite.
Holiday cheer in every bite: M&Ms and sprinkles add that festive color and crunch that kids and adults alike adore.
Sweetened condensed milk magic: Pours over the topping, making everything stick together with a luscious, gooey finish.
Easy to customize: You can easily swap toppings to suit your taste, dietary needs, or holiday theme.

Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms, festive brownie bars, holiday chocolate dessert, easy Christmas brownie recipe, M&Ms brownie treats - This image shows nine square pieces of dessert arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each piece has three visible layers: a dark brown base layer that looks like a brownie, a thick middle layer of creamy white frosting, and a top layer filled with red and green round candies, chocolate chunks, small white snowflake shapes, and red, green, and white sprinkles scattered evenly. The candies and toppings cover the entire surface of each square, making the top layer colorful and festive. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms Recipe shines because of simple, quality ingredients working in harmony. The semi-sweet chocolate chips ensure the right amount of chocolate without overly sweetening, and the combination of nuts, coconut, and M&Ms adds a wonderful variety of textures and festive fun. Here’s a quick look at why each ingredient makes this treat so special.

Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms, festive brownie bars, holiday chocolate dessert, easy Christmas brownie recipe, M&Ms brownie treats - Flat lay of a small mound of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a stick of salted butter with a smooth surface, two large brown eggs with clean shells, one large egg yolk in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white bowl holding all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl with sweetened condensed milk, a handful of mixed nuts scattered naturally, a small heap of sweetened flaked coconut, a small pile of mini red, green, and white holiday M&Ms, a small pile of regular-sized red, green, and white holiday M&Ms, and a small white bowl with colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Perfect for melting into a silky brownie base and for the topping’s little bursts of chocolate.
Salted butter: Adds richness and balances the sweetness, especially important in holiday desserts.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create that tender, chewy brownie texture.
Eggs: Provide structure and help bind everything together.
All-purpose flour: Gives body to your brownies without making them cakey.
Vanilla extract: A little flavor booster, it rounds out the chocolate notes beautifully.
Nuts (optional): Adds crunch and a bit of nuttiness that contrasts nicely with the sweet and chewy layers.
Holiday M&Ms (mini and regular): These are not just colorful—they bring that crisp candy shell that holds on till your bite.
Sweetened flaked coconut: Introduces a chewy, tropical texture that’s surprisingly addictive in this mix.
Sweetened condensed milk: The secret glue that makes the topping layer luscious and sticky without being soggy.
Holiday sprinkles: For the fun visual pop that makes these bars festive and fun for the holidays.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best things about this Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms Recipe is how versatile it is. I often tweak it depending on what I have on hand or which holiday vibe I’m going for. Feel free to make it your own—you’ll have fun experimenting!

Nut-Free Version: If you’re avoiding nuts, just leave them out or swap in toasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for a similar crunch. I’ve done this for my niece, and nobody even missed the nuts.
Extra Gooey: Double up the sweetened condensed milk for an even more luscious topping—just be careful it doesn’t get too runny.
Spiced Up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the brownie batter adds a cozy holiday warmth that really complements the chocolate and M&Ms.
Seasonal M&Ms Swap: If you want a different occasion twist, any candy-coated chocolate will do—think pastel M&Ms for Easter or classic colors for birthday parties.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Gather Ingredients

First things first, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C). Then I line a 9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray it with nonstick spray. This little step is key for easy removal and cleanup later—a lifesaver when you’re juggling holiday prep.

Step 2: Make That Chocolatey Brownie Base

Pop your butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until everything melts smooth and glossy. This is where patience pays off — rushing or overheating can cause the chocolate to seize. Once melted, stir in sugar, vanilla, the eggs, and the egg yolk until nice and combined. Finally, fold in the flour, but don’t overmix. Pour this luscious batter into your pan and smooth the top.

Step 3: Bake the Base and Add Your Toppings

Bake the base for 20 minutes. When you take it out, it’ll look a bit jiggly on top — that’s perfect! Now the fun begins. Layer half the nuts, half the chocolate chips, half the M&Ms, and all the coconut on top. Then pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over these toppings. Spread gently so it covers everything without sinking through. Top with the rest of the chocolate chips, M&Ms, and sprinkles.

Step 4: Final Bake and Cool

Bake everything together for another 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the middle is set. If your topping is browning too fast, just tent some foil over the pan. Once out, let it cool completely before slicing into squares. This resting time helps everything set up so your bars hold together perfectly.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Batter: I learned the hard way that overmixing the flour can toughen the brownie base. Just stir until combined for the perfect tender texture.
Microwave Carefully: When melting chocolate and butter, short bursts and stirring prevents scorching and turns out silky smooth every time.
Use a Sharp Knife for Cutting: To get clean edges on your bars, I always wipe my knife between cuts — no messy crumbs or smudges.
Cool Completely Before Cutting: The topping firms up as it cools, which keeps your bars from falling apart. Patience pays off!

How to Serve Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms Recipe

Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms, festive brownie bars, holiday chocolate dessert, easy Christmas brownie recipe, M&Ms brownie treats - The image shows a close-up of three stacked dessert bars with two clear layers. The bottom layer is thick, dense, and dark brown with a fudgy texture. The top layer is thinner and creamy white, embedded with red and green candy pieces and small chocolate chunks scattered throughout. Around the stack, several red and green round candies with a shiny shell are scattered. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra holiday-themed sprinkles on top right before serving—they add a little extra sparkle and festive cheer. Sometimes, I even drizzle a little white chocolate for contrast, which makes these bars look like a work of art on the dessert table.

Side Dishes

These bars pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of rich hot cocoa. If you’re serving them at a party, try alongside peppermint bark or a simple fruit platter to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday gathering, I like to arrange these bars on a festive platter lined with evergreen sprigs or holly. Wrapping individual bars in cellophane and tying with red and green ribbons makes for cute take-home favors. You can also stack them on a tiered dessert stand to wow your guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. When I have extras, I layer them with parchment paper in between so they don’t stick together—makes grabbing one a breeze!

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, freeze these bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. I’ve frozen whole pans as well as individual bars—both methods keep their flavor and texture for up to three months. Just thaw them on the counter for about an hour before enjoying.

Reheating

Reheating leftovers is simple: pop a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that warm, melty feeling. I find it tastes just as fresh and delicious as right after baking!

FAQs

Can I use different types of chocolate for the brownie base?

Absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate chips work best to balance sweetness, you can use dark or milk chocolate if you prefer. Just keep an eye on the sugar in your recipe to ensure the bars don’t turn out too sweet or bitter.
What can I substitute for sweetened condensed milk?

Sweetened condensed milk is key for that gooey topping, but if you need a substitute, try making a caramel sauce or using a mix of evaporated milk with sugar reduced by half. Keep in mind the texture will be a bit different.
How do I prevent the toppings from sinking?

Pouring the sweetened condensed milk evenly and gently spreading it over the toppings helps hold everything in place. Also, avoid overfilling with too many heavy toppings—balance is key for neat layers.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure to check that your M&Ms and other toppings are gluten-free as well.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Christmas Brownie Bars with M&Ms Recipe enough. It’s one of those desserts that feels special but is surprisingly easy to make, and the holiday colors and textures never fail to impress. Every year, it becomes the centerpiece of my seasonal baking, and I love how it brings family and friends together around the table. Give it a try—you’ll be delighting loved ones (and yourself!) in no time.