M&M’s Cookie Bars Recipe
Introduction
These M&M’s cookie bars are a delightful twist on classic cookies, packed with colorful candies and rich chocolate chips. They’re soft, chewy, and perfect for sharing at any gathering or enjoying as a sweet treat at home.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup M&M’s candies (plus extra for topping, if desired)
- 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping, if desired)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Step 5: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Step 6: Gently fold in the M&M’s candies and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Step 7: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Optionally, sprinkle extra M&M’s and chocolate chips on top for a decorative touch.
- Step 8: Bake for 22-27 minutes, until the edges are light golden and the center is set. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars chewy.
- Step 9: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift out and cut into squares.
- Step 10: Serve your M&M’s cookie bars with your favorite drink, like a cold glass of milk, and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For extra chewiness, slightly underbake the bars and allow them to set while cooling.
- Substitute peanut butter M&M’s for a nutty twist.
- Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
- Use dark chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor.
- If you want smaller bars, cut them into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking.
Storage
Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and warm slightly in a microwave or oven for a soft, fresh-baked feel.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe or omit it entirely to avoid making the bars too salty.
How can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?
Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, ensuring it includes xanthan gum for structure. Baking time may vary slightly, so watch for doneness closely.
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M&M’s Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookie bars 1x
Description
Delightfully chewy and colorful M&M’s Cookie Bars made with a soft buttery dough loaded with crunchy M&M’s and melty semisweet chocolate chips. These bars are easy to prepare, baked to perfection with a golden edge and tender center, perfect for an anytime treat or party dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup M&M’s candies (plus extra for topping, if desired)
- 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping, if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it with nonstick spray and lining it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the large eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently and just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture in the bars.
- Fold in candies and chocolate chips: Gently fold in the M&M’s candies and semisweet chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Spread dough in pan: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Optionally, sprinkle additional M&M’s and chocolate chips on top to enhance the look and flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 27 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown and the center is set but still soft. Take care not to overbake to keep the bars chewy and moist.
- Cool completely: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan placed on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out and cut them into squares.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve your M&M’s cookie bars with your favorite beverage, such as a cold glass of milk, and enjoy the delicious treat.
Notes
- Room temperature eggs help create a smooth batter and better texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to avoid tough bars.
- Using parchment paper ensures easy removal and cleaner cutting of the bars.
- For extra color and crunch, sprinkle additional M&M’s and chocolate chips on top before baking.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: M&M’s cookie bars, colorful cookie bars, chocolate chip cookie bars, chewy cookie bars, easy cookie bars, baked cookie bars
