M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

M&M Cookie Bars are a fantastic twist on classic cookies, offering a chewy, buttery base filled with colorful, chocolatey M&M candies. These bars are easy to make, require no rolling or chilling, and are perfect for parties, potlucks, or when you’re in the mood for a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert. Plus, they’re easy to customize with different varieties of M&Ms or mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or sprinkles. Let's dive into the full recipe, complete with step-by-step instructions, tips, and variations to create the ultimate M&M Cookie Bars!

---

What Are M&M Cookie Bars?

M&M Cookie Bars are essentially thick, chewy cookies baked in a bar form, with M&M candies distributed throughout the dough for bursts of colorful, chocolatey goodness. These bars capture the best of classic chocolate chip cookies—the soft, buttery dough and the rich flavor of chocolate—while being even easier to prepare. Instead of scooping individual cookies, the dough is spread into a pan and baked in one go, then cut into squares or rectangles for serving.

---

Ingredients List for M&M Cookie Bars

Here’s what you’ll need to make a batch of these irresistible M&M Cookie Bars:

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups M&Ms (reserve some for sprinkling on top)

Optional Mix-Ins:

• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• ¼ cup sprinkles for a festive touch

---

Substitutions and Variations

If you need to tweak the recipe for dietary reasons or want to try different flavor combinations, here are a few substitutions and variations:

• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum to maintain the structure and chewiness of the bars.
• Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based butter and substitute the M&Ms with a dairy-free candy or dark chocolate chunks to make the bars dairy-free.
• Different Flavors: Swap regular M&Ms with peanut, pretzel, or mini M&Ms for different textures and flavors. You can also try seasonal M&Ms (like holiday-themed colors) to match the occasion.
• Chocolate Chip M&M Bars: Add ½ cup of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips to the batter for a double chocolate hit.

---

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Making M&M Cookie Bars is incredibly easy. Just follow these step-by-step instructions to bake a batch of these colorful, chocolatey treats.

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:

• In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
• Fold in 1 ¼ cups of the M&Ms (reserving the rest for the top) and any additional mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts if desired.

5. Spread the Dough:

• Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared baking pan, pressing it evenly into the corners and smoothing the top with a spatula.
• Scatter the remaining M&Ms evenly over the top, gently pressing them into the dough so they stick while baking.

6. Bake the Bars:

• Bake the M&M Cookie Bars in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
• Be careful not to overbake, as you want the bars to remain soft and chewy in the center.

7. Cool and Slice:

• Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares or rectangles. This will help them set and make for cleaner cuts.

---

How to Cook M&M Cookie Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: Start by beating the butter and sugars together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates a tender, chewy texture in the bars.
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporating the eggs one at a time ensures they’re evenly mixed, while the vanilla adds flavor depth.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookie bars, so stop mixing once no flour streaks remain.
4. Bake and Cool: Bake the cookie dough in a single pan, and allow the bars to cool fully before cutting to ensure a clean slice and prevent crumbling.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overbaking: To keep the bars soft and chewy, it’s important not to overbake. The center should be just set, and the edges should be lightly golden. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
2. Skipping Parchment Paper: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it much easier to lift out the entire slab of cookie bars for cutting, ensuring clean slices and no stuck-on bottoms.
3. Not Pressing the M&Ms: Be sure to press the M&Ms gently into the dough before baking, or they might shift or fall off after baking.

---

Serving and Presentation Tips

M&M Cookie Bars are great for casual gatherings, but with a little extra flair, they can be a beautiful and festive treat for any occasion.

How to Serve M&M Cookie Bars:

• Serve these bars at room temperature on a colorful platter for kids’ parties, potlucks, or as part of a dessert table.
• For a more indulgent treat, serve the bars slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.

Presentation Ideas for M&M Cookie Bars:

• Holiday-Themed Bars: Use seasonal M&Ms (like red and green for Christmas, or pastels for Easter) to match the theme of your gathering.
• Add Sprinkles: If you’re making these bars for a celebration, top them with festive sprinkles before baking to add an extra layer of fun and color.
• Cut into Shapes: Instead of cutting the bars into simple squares, use a sharp knife to slice them into fun shapes like triangles or diamonds for a unique presentation.

---

M&M Cookie Bars Recipe Tips

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Be sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting, as this helps everything blend together smoothly for a uniform texture.
• Extra Toppings: For added crunch or flavor, consider sprinkling chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the bars before baking.
• Chilling for Clean Cuts: If you prefer cleaner edges when cutting the bars, chill the pan in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes after cooling. This helps the bars firm up and gives you more defined slices.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make these bars in advance?
A: Yes! M&M Cookie Bars can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for several days, making them great for parties or meal prepping.

Q: Can I freeze M&M Cookie Bars?
A: Absolutely. To freeze, let the bars cool completely, then cut them into squares. Place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Q: Can I substitute the M&Ms with something else?
A: Yes, you can substitute M&Ms with other mix-ins like chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces, chopped candy bars, or even dried fruit for a different flavor profile.

Q: How do I store leftover cookie bars?
A: Store leftover M&M Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them if you like a firmer texture, though they’re best enjoyed at room temperature.

---

Conclusion

M&M Cookie Bars are the ultimate combination of convenience, fun, and flavor. With their chewy, buttery texture and colorful bursts of chocolate, they’re perfect for a variety of occasions, from casual family gatherings to festive holiday parties. This recipe is simple to make, customizable, and can easily be prepared ahead of time or frozen for later. Whether you’re serving them to a group of kids or indulging your own sweet tooth, these M&M Cookie Bars are sure to be a hit. Happy baking!

Print