Santa’s Cookie Bars

​1 ½ cups flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, softened
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 ¼ cups red and green peanut butter M&Ms, divided
3 tablespoons red and green sprinkles
 
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick foil.  Whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.
 
2.  With a stand mixer, cream together butter, peanut butter, and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in vanilla, egg, and egg yolk.  Gently fold in flour mixture just until incorporated; fold in chocolate chips and 1 cup M&Ms. 
 
3.  Transfer dough to prepared pan.  Top with reserved sprinkles and remaining M&Ms.  Bake for 14-16 minutes or until edges are lightly browned but center is still pale.  Cool on a rack for 30 minutes before cutting. 
 
Added May 2020