M&M Cookie Bars Recipe
Deliciously chewy and colorful M&M Cookie Bars loaded with chocolate chips and vibrant M&M candies, baked to golden perfection. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making them a crowd-pleasing treat for any occasion.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 ⅓ cups M&M candies, divided
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Prepare the baking pan: Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, allowing some overhang for easy removal, then set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter and sugars: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the room temperature unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and blend until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: On low mixer speed, gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the bars tough.
- Fold in add-ins: Gently fold in 1 cup of the M&M candies and all the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Press dough into pan: Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan and press it down evenly with the back of a spatula or your hands for a uniform thickness.
- Add topping: Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup of M&M candies evenly over the top of the dough and gently press them into the surface.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the edges are lightly browned, and the center is set but still slightly soft to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang and slicing into squares to serve.
Notes
- For easier removal, allow the bars to cool fully before slicing.
- You can substitute M&Ms with other colorful candy-coated chocolates or sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For a softer texture, reduce the baking time slightly; for crispier edges, bake a bit longer.
Keywords: M&M Cookie Bars, cookie bars, chocolate chip bars, easy cookie recipe, colorful cookie bars, baked dessert bars