M&M Cookie Bars Recipe
These M&M Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic cookies, combining a buttery, tender dough with colorful M&M candies and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfectly chewy with a golden-baked edge, these bars are easy to make and great for sharing at parties or enjoying as a sweet treat any time.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookie 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 cup M&M candies (divided)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and lightly grease the lining to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until fully combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- 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 on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the bars tender.
- Fold in Candy and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 1 cup of M&M candies and all the semi-sweet chocolate chips using a spatula, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Press Dough Into Pan: Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan and press it evenly into the bottom. Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup of M&M candies over the top, lightly pressing them into the surface so they stick after baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown, the edges are lightly browned, and the center is just set but still soft.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before slicing into squares to ensure clean cuts and perfect texture.
Notes
- For easier slicing, refrigerate the cookie bars for 30 minutes after they have cooled to room temperature.
- Use parchment paper with overhang for easier removal from the pan.
- You can substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk or dark chocolate chips, based on preference.
- Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: M&M cookie bars, easy cookie bar recipe, chocolate chip cookie bars, colorful cookie bars, baked dessert bars